Small Moves

With our February 5 PD day almost here, I have been thinking about the significance of the work we are doing across our province in relation to our re-designed curriculum. This time next year, the K-9 version of the curriculum will be in effect, and the following year we will commence preliminary implementation for the grade 10-12 version. I don't think I am overstating it when I say it is will be a momentous occasion in public education.

If you have been following the path of this change over the last few years, you will know that we have travelled a long and winding road. When we ushered in the 21st century some 15 years ago, the conversation about making some significant changes to our education system crested. Things had changed enough in our society and in the world of our children over the preceding 25 years that education systems around the world decided it was time seek out and deliver some improvements to our curriculum and the way we taught. Here in BC teachers have been working on this re-design for years.

While most of us know about why we need to update our curriculum, we know that the task of actually making it happen in our classrooms is not that simple. It will take a lot of work: thinking, planning and doing. In order to make this work for our children, we will need to work at this for years to come. So as we sit on the brink of this change, I offer a few thoughts about the path ahead of us. Here are some ideas to consider:

1. Small Moves: This will be a significant change for most of us. Let’s be patient with ourselves. As with changes in our personal lives, it may be helpful to start with some small changes that could have a big impact. I encourage everyone to highlight a few things that we can easily adopt, and that will pave the way for further success.
2. Build a Bridge: The outgoing curriculum has not been discarded; it has been redesigned. Map out those ideas and practices that have been successful and build from there. Identify those things that you have been doing which support competency-based inquiry. Successful new computer operating systems continue to do the things that worked well in previous versions.
3. Be a Learner: We are going to make a lot of mistakes, but mistakes are a great teacher. Dare to take a risk, and learn from your failures – even celebrate them. The staff at Rick Hansen have a ‘failure jar,’ where they place their ideas that have not worked. What a great idea!
4. Lean on Someone: Seek out at least one colleague to go on the journey with you. The Planning Committee organized the implementation day according to grade groups and disciplines this time around. I hope you can take advantage of this and connect with some colleagues who are working in your area and with similar challenges. Teaching need not be a lonely profession.
5. Celebrate: There will be many milestones on the way. Do not make light of surpassing them. Have a little fun along the way.

~ Kevin

Kevin Godden
Superintendent of Schools/CEO
Abbotsford School District