The power of yes...

1. Are you okay if I try something new? YES
2. Can I purchase some new technology for coding? YES
3. Can I go to this conference? YES



There is so much power in saying yes to teachers. Obviously there are times that the answer has to be no. However when talking with teachers about expanding their teaching practices, I try to say yes as much as possible. If some teachers take the leap and try new things others will follow. Be the leader that never stops growing and helps their staff grow as well.

Let's face it, schools, need to grow with the times. Teachers, principals, and other school leaders need to continue to grow and put students first. For so long we have been used to saying sorry, that is a great idea, but we do not have funding. Enough! Our children cannot afford us to make excuses and not deliver our best each and every day.

Take time to develop as educators to make sure that we are teaching skills that can be used today and are relevant for the future. Teach why we are doing these things and teach why students need to learn them. Make class relevant and students will be engaged and stay engaged.

Over the past few months, I have been saying yes frequently. Teachers and parents were shocked. I have to admit, I probably said yes to some things that I would say no to today. Not everything was thought out the way I would of liked. Nonetheless saying yes has created a culture of teachers stepping out of their comfort zones and trying something new.

Teachers that have been adamant at having no technology in their classrooms are asking for technology and help implementing it. They see it as a way to create new things within the classroom and not as a time filler. This teachers perspective was changed because I said yes. They saw the power technology was having in other classrooms, and wanted their students to have those skills as well.

Never stop saying yes. Be the one that changes the game and promotes growth. 




Comments

  1. UnknownMarch 16, 2017 at 6:05 AM

    Ryan,

    I would encourage you to take yes to the next level and make it "yes and." I've found that doing more than just saying yes shows a greater investment in the idea/plan/suggestion brought to you. It's a strategy from design thinking that pushes you to build upon the original proposal.

    -Ari Yares
    (www.ariyares.com)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownMarch 16, 2017 at 1:37 PM

      Ari,

      Definitely want to have more dialogue than just saying yes. This is where it starts.

      Delete

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