Archive: Around Town

Mark S. Lewis“Change is good.” No doubt you’ve heard that comment countless times in the course of your daily existence. You may have even expressed it yourself from time to time. I know I have. School leaders embrace change, by choice or by force, virtually on an ongoing basis. In fact, it is more or less the case that school leaders are expected to infuse change into the educational programs for which they are ultimately responsible.

In certain situations, change must come about expediently, especially where health and safety issues are involved. There are other scenarios where less extreme, yet aggressive interventions are in order, especially when it appears that an organization’s pursuit of outstanding results has stalled—necessitating an “If it ain’t broke, break it!” strategy. In other circumstances, however, (in fact, in most circumstances) change should be choreographed in a well-paced, deliberate manner so as not to destroy those aspects of the program, system, or culture, without which progress would be impeded, not enhanced.

If change is good, then those responsible for changing systems must themselves embrace change on occasion as a means of acquiring new perspectives on those systems. A few weeks ago I did just that—I resolved to embrace change as a means of gaining added perspective on the educational program at R. C. Buckley Elementary School. Clearing my calendar of meetings and ignoring the bureaucratic demands of school management, I spent five full days immersing myself in the culture of the school. I spent most of my time in the classrooms observing the magic that occurs on a daily basis between children and educators dedicated to enhancing their lives. I felt the enthusiasm and joy in the voices of the young people as they patiently and proudly explained to me what they were learning or what they had accomplished. I saw and felt the care, compassion, and love that defines the environment of that school.

At the end of the fifth day I returned to my office. One can only delay addressing certain other demands of a complex organization for so long. However, the revelations that I acquired during those five days will stay with me well into the future, the primary one being that R. C. Buckley Elementary School educational program enables Lansing’s children to learn and grow. Its many outstanding attributes should be celebrated and preserved.

In the years to come the schools program will change as demands of young learners change (or as policy makers mandate for political purposes). However, as a school community, we must ensure that we approach change as a means of enhancing the quality program that currently exists for kids, not tears it asunder.

To the R. C. Buckley family: It was a great week. Thanks for your time, patience, candor, and, most of all, your commitment to Lansing’s children.

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