I totally agree – I think it’s the combination of both the institutional support, and the grassroots movement, that can really make change happen. I wonder if the managerial change alone makes change happen faster, but less deeply because people may not be as interested, they’re just “doing what they’re told” and if the grassroots change alone is much slower, but more authentic because people are doing what they believe in? Put them together and you definitely have a winning combo!

@Keri-Lee,

I really appreciate your mention of incentives (as you say, “bribes”) to get people on board. That’s definitely one advantage of having administrative support! People do appreciate clear demonstrations that their time is valuable, and often it is some of the littlest things that can show that appreciation. Jeff and Tara (two of my colleagues) have been talking about getting a “hospitality” budget line in place so we can ensure that we have some tasty treats when people choose to spend their prep time working with us.

@David,

Agreed – and it’s very interesting to me just how similar most schools are…

@Bethany,

I like the idea of “scaling up” – once you find a method that works on an individual level, how can you capitalize on that success and begin to shift groups. That’s what I’m looking for – a more strategic approach, even if it is at the grassroots level.

@Mr. James,

It is definitely a slow process and that in itself can be so frustrating, but I can see that you are having success already – any positive feedback is worth it’s weight in gold, in my opinion. Looking forward to reading your stories of success in your post!

@Jen,

Great point about what is in the seed that causes it to grow! It’s so important to remember that we can’t change the individual, we can only provide them with experiences to help build their understanding and hopefully that will lead to a change within. I wonder if it is the best test of our hard work if those changes continue after we’re gone…

@mrsdurff,

Come on over! I know we have a few positions open for next school year!

@Holly,

Yes! I love your statement about keeping the “doing” manageable with a big vision – this is what people need, to see where they need to be going, but supported in a practical way to help them get there. This is why the combination of the grassroots and the administrative support is so important. Who can provide a clear, consistent vision to a whole school, if not the administration? Without that big vision, the grassroots can shoot off all over the place!

I am working in the area of poverty, but have a real soft spot for technology. Without the participation of the school, the administration and governing bodies, as well as the community at large, change will not be sustained. This is what I see every day — schools that are highly motivated, with boards that do not support the vision (intentionally or not!), and vice versa. Perhaps by keeping the ‘doing’ manageable, but the ‘visioning’ big people will see that they are acquiring skills to get to a larger goal.

I have not seen sustainability in education — I see it as a revolving door for most people who come in, stay for a while, and then move on to something else (usually better paying, less stress).

We do see longevity in our network — if you can call longevity over 10 years. But in actuality, we have only been influenced the the “grand” network within the last 2 years. The ability to interact with each other day, to influence to be influenced. So perhaps we have not seen longevity yet — I imagine as people really get to be known, their true sustainability will surface, or they will move on to a new environment where they can shine brightly for a while there.

I feel bad knowing I plan to leave my school at the end of this year — because they, like yours, are seedlings and I wonder who will come and water, care, and nurture them. But then I have to remember, it is what is IN THE SEED that causes it to grow — it is what is done to the seed that can shape its growth.

It is not good that I am the ONLY impact the teachers have — but still wonder what will happen when I move on.

Smiles, I ramble, but you understand I am sure.

This post is one of the reasons I blog. I have hit my head on so many walls trying to bring 2.0 to my district. What you shared has helped put words to my feelings. I have been a door to door salesman for a couple of years now (you have helped me on a couple of projects, for which I will always be grateful). I want to move faster, but I only have a grassroots campaign. It feels like it is me against the world. I have sought out individual teachers who are willing and have worked with them. To my knowledge, none of them have struck out on their own to manage their own projects.

Just today, I mentioned to one of the “seedlings” her class blog and would she like to do it again. Her response was a resounding affirmative and she immediately gave me a list of students to get online. That was very encouraging. Perhaps there will be more I can get on board this year.

I am working on a post that describes the encouraging news I have received in regards to the 2.0 front. Our school has a laptop cart coming our way soon that we will start using in the classroom rather than sending classes down to the one lab we have available. Several other steps have been taken that I will share in a post.