A Little Fear is Healthy

Have you watched the Halle Berry movie "The Call"? Don't! You won't sleep and my fear-o-meter is in overdrive. My children may never leave the house again. So, the fear level may be a little out of sorts from the movie, but a little fear of trying something new can be healthy. Educational leader Todd Whitaker write sin his book, "Leading School Change" (2010) that change is inevitable, but growth is optional. This phrase that he adopted as his mantra made me pause and reflect. Change always occur, but fear often allows us to make excuses to grow in that change. In order to grow from change, we must be willing to take the fear and use it to our advantage. Think top of roller coaster fear and not being kidnapped-"The Call" fear.

As educators, our job is so important. Molding young lives, creating a safe place, and moving them along to ensure academic readiness by set standards that have been Pre-determined by some entity. But, we do have control of what that change looks like. Even, if a school had a set schedule (pot calling kettle black). In order to try something new-accept change-it's easy when you think of these few things to help. 

1.Admit you don't know it all. It's okay to jump in and try something without all the answers. At some point you just have to try it. Otherwise we plan to plan the execution of the plan that never comes to fruition.  Set your timeline to try and follow through.

2. Say Your Sorry. What? You bet. I was teaching a group of high school students in Atlanta about GMOs (not sure what they are-look it up-I have your curiosity buzzing). In the midst of the turn and talk, I realized the content I just delivered was inaccurate. So, a simple regroup and an I'm sorry was all it took. They chuckled and said, "We knew what you meant Mr. Adam."  One girl followed up with, "No teacher has ever apologized to us before." Ouch. Really? Come on-we are all human. It's okay for kids to see that. 

3. Think you need help-get it! There is no shame in asking for help or consultation. Why coypu think our President has a cabinet? We don't know it all. So don't fake it. Ask for input, feedback, and clarification. I speak for many administrators when I tell you that we'd rather you (the teacher) come and say help than try to fake it. 

4. Make a goal.  Decide what that goal is. Write in on a sticky note or put in on your desktop of your computer. Make that goal happen. You will feel better. 

Change will occur. What will you do? Don't be fearful. Be brave. Consider the four ideas above and give it a whirl. The downhill on the roller-coaster is thrilling. But you can't experience that without the climb up to the peak of it.