Warning Signs of Resistance to Change in a School
Lack of engagement in professional development is a big flashing red indicator that teachers and administrators might resist change when it comes along. In fact, in my experience as well as what I have gleaned from the readings, one of the most telling signs of resistance to change is when stakeholders such as teachers and staff show a lack of interest and engagement in taking opportunities for professional development. As Danielson (2006) points out, this is a problem because a thriving school culture is one where continuous learning and growth are valued by all team members. And if teachers are not actively participating in new training sessions, they are likely going to resist embracing new methods or practices when it is time for them to be implemented.
Another warning sign is negative communication that persists. Deal & Peterson (1999) discuss the importance of narratives and stories within the school culture, and they note that when the dominant narratives that stakeholders (teachers/administrators) share are negative or focus only on past failures rather than on future possibilities, it tends to mean that these people are rooted in the past and are unlikely to be open to changes. This kind of negativity often is manifested in gossip, complaints...
…I once encountered resistance when trying to implement a new hands-on lab approach. Some teachers were accustomed to the traditional lecture-based format and were skeptical of the new method. However, I used my credibility and good reputation as someone passionate about biology and student engagement, and thus I was able to pilot the approach in my classroom. The results were overwhelmingly positive. Students showed increased interest and better retention of the material. I then shared these results with my colleagues, and many of them saw the benefits and adopted the approach in their classrooms. This taught me how evidence-based advocacy has so much power and why it is important to…
References
Danielson, C. (2006). Teacher leadership that strengthens professional practice. Alexandria,
VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Deal, T., & Peterson, K. (1999). Shaping school culture. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
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