The education world changes quickly and will continue to do so. Great education leaders can recognize those changes and guide the school or school district accordingly. On the other hand, it is fascinating how many leaders refuse to change the most straightforward aspects of their schools or school districts because they have the “if it is not broke, do not fix it” mantra.
Open your mind, and imagine the possibilities
While that will work during the short term, as years pass, the school districts and their leaders who refuse to grow, learn, and adapt will be left behind. To be a useful educational leader, you need to be open to learning about new things and exploring new experiences.
So how can a closed-minded education administrator become more open-minded? It usually takes decades for education administrators to become close-minded. Think back to when you first started as a teacher. Think about all of the new trends, strategies, and technologies that were coming into fruition. Like most young educators, you were open to change and eager to learn about these new technologies and trends.
If your principal was decades older than you, it probably was hard for them to adapt to the new way of doing things. As a matter of fact, I bet they were downright closed-minded, insisting on doing things the old fashioned way. They probably held that position until they were no longer effective, and then they were sent out to pasture. Isn’t it funny how history repeats itself? You have lost your thirst for innovation, and have become like the principal that you worked for early in your career. Sigh. You promised yourself that this would never be your fate.
Concluding thoughts
Do you really want to end up like that? Then snap out of it, and start to embrace the present, utilizing all of the technologies and innovations at your disposal. Being innovative will make you more effective, as you will be marrying old school know-how, with new school efficiency. In the end, everyone wins.
