MSirmans

          As an educator serving in many different positions for almost 40 years, I have experienced changes in administrations, administrators, methods, strategies, tactics, environments ( physical and intellectual) and have come to the conclusion that it is human nature to resist or become less motivated about change unless the person has an instigating role in the change (or if it happens to be his/her vision). I have been on both sides of these new innovative moves.  Some changes I have embraced with gusto, others resisted, and most have  observed or endured believing that in the not too distant future , the pendulum would swing and everything would return to the status quo.  The messages in these first few pages have made me realize that we are all basically alike and gravitate to the more comfortable , familiar way of doing things even if the new ideas are better.  We have a tendancy to be skeptical of that which is not familiar to us.  It is the difference in personalities and leadership ability that allows "visions" to be tried and to sustain the momentum  of the program.  The varied experiential backgrounds of coworkers and personnel must be carefully considered when implementing a move in which they are not given a chance to help design or feel some "ownership " of the VISION. As an educator, business partner, or coworker, it is much easier to inspire and motivate when the other person has a stake in the plan, but difficult to maintain that energy as the "newness" wears off and those less enthusiastic settle back into the more familiar less energy demanding ways.  I'm looking forward to reading the next assignment to provide concrete examples to help me deal with changes in a more positive way and inspire me to go forward with my "visions" and guide me in implementing and sustaining them both in and out of the classroom setting.