This PDF details how each course supported my innovation plan. It also demonstrates what is completed and what still needs to be done or modified. The PDF includes the course title, a link to each compilation page, a description, and information on what is done and what is still in progress.

Reflect to connect

Change takes time. As my Learning Manifesto (2022) explains, I always imagine disruptive change as a revolution. However, understanding what blended learning is, enablers, and red tape in education call for a slower, more intentional evolution. As I work to make changes in my district toward a paperless office, I can easily identify what worked and what didn’t and how I will use this information to drive my future as a leader.

What worked?

My work with administrative assistants is going very well!

In 5302, I learned about the Growth Mindset. Because of my work in therapy and my naturally reflective nature, I learned a lot about how to analyze distorted thought patterns. This has allowed me to grow and maintain a growth mindset. For example, when I notice myself holding a fixed thought, I can apply the skills I learned to break that thought pattern down and replace it with a healthier thought. I am also able to translate this to my teaching and coaching alongside administrative assistants. Specifically, I walk the talk and use coaching questions to guide adult learners (Stateler, 2022).

In this same course, I first learned about the concept of Professional Learning Networks. In my blog, Connect → Collaborate → Comprehend → Create (2022), I started to piece together how learning happens in the collective. That is to say, learners connect and collaborate in a digital learning space. With each learner’s individual contribution comes growth and change on a larger scale. In my coursework in 5313, I read about the collective and the cycle of learning and environmental change. In my blog, Grandpa’s Clock, Coaching Data, and What His Hands Knew (Stateler, 2022), I detail the new culture of learning that we are already experiencing with the constant access to information.

The concepts of PLNs and the collective served as the foundation for my work in 5315 on Action Research. I am currently working to create a Professional Learning Network for central admin assistants using Google Spaces! In fact, I am going to set up a space and teach my learners how to exist in that space in the coming week. I look forward to watching the space evolve!

What could you do better? Knowing what you know now, what key things (if any) would you do differently?

Of all of the courses I took, 5304, Leading Organizational Change, challenged me the most. In fact, this is the only course in which I earned “B’s” on any assignment. While I worked hard, I honestly believe this course created a great deal of cognitive dissonance for me. In my blog, 5302 & 5304: Contributions to the Learning Environment (2022), I reflect on the reason for this. I realized that I didn’t really understand why the paperless work environment was essential and how it could drive toward blended learning in a K-12 setting. I also didn’t trust myself as a leader. This is evident in the fact that a lot of what I created in that class is left undone. Instead of using the steps outlined in Influencer and The 4 Disciplines of Execution, I used an easier method called “Set it and Forget it.” Basically, I haven’t followed through with all that I planned. As Dr. H was known to say, it is essential to walk the walk. That is, I can write about something all day, but until I put it into action, it’s just “talk”.

Finally, as much as I believe in collaboration, I didn’t include enough people in my journey with intention. I collaborated with my peers, particularly Stephen and Kim. I also collaborated with a few people on my team. However, I didn’t create an intentional group of vested participants. I could do so much more with a bit of support from those around me. In other words, as one of my teachers liked to say, “Many hands make light work.”

What lessons have you learned?

1. I am a leader

In my blog, COVA Reflection and Application: Looking Back and Moving Forward (2022), I reflected on what it means to be a leader. I realize now that “leading from the bench” is still leading. Also, it is just as important – if not more so – than leaders in positions of power.

2. Reflecting-to-connect: The importance of blogging.

The role that blogging played in my learning journey is evident in how much I wrote and the amount of time I invested. In my literature review, Collaborative Learning Spaces: Using Professional Learning Networks and the Cloud in Blended Environments for Adult Learners (2022), I talk about blogging compared to long-form writing. Blogging, by nature, is meaningless without context and requires participation from readers. As I shared in my blog, Lizard Brains and Long Threads: Making Connections to Identify “My Why” (2022), blogging has shown me how I organize and process information. It has also reminded me to avoid comparison, as each person’s learning journey is different.

3. Teamwork makes the dream work: The importance of collaboration

The most enjoyable part of grad school is the relationships I built with my two teams. My larger team consists of most of the people in 5320, the ADL Synthesis course. My smaller group calls ourselves the Three Amigos, consisting of Kim, Stephen, and me. Throughout all of our coursework, the people in these groups have supported one another, laughed, and grown together as learners. This proper evolving collective environment model inspires me to continue my work with administrative assistant PLNs.

4. Who I am and what I believe: Knowing my Why.

Throughout the coursework for the ADL program, I got to define so much of what I know and believe about learning. For example, we got to describe our Learning Manifesto and Learning Philosophy. However, the most crucial assignment for my work on my Innovation Plans was identifying my Why. I struggled with this assignment at first, but once I knew “Why,” all of the other coursework fell into place.

5. You can’t teach passion: The importance of a good professor and how I can apply that to my leadership skills.

I had a principal who used to say, “You can’t teach passion.” Even now, the Director of Technology Support in GCISD looks to hire campus technicians who have good customer service skills and are passionate about learning. She often says, “I can teach you anything about technology. I can’t teach passion.” in each of my graduate courses, I could tell which professors were passionate about teaching and learning. This set the tone for the class and for my learning. As a leader, I hope to share my passions with those around me.

How do you plan to promote and communicate your innovation project?

I have already been communicating my innovation project. In particular, I communicated with the Chief Technology Officer, the Director of Digital Learning, and my Digital Learning Team. As I consider how to move forward, an important influencer I want to involve is the Director of Technology Support. Not only is she already on board, but I know that one of her goals is to rid of classroom printers before she retires. I hope to lead alongside her to meet this goal.

To promote my plan, I need to get serious about applying what I learned in 5302 and 5304. For starters, I need to work to instill a growth mindset district-wide. As I said earlier, I need to be more intentional about this work. I also need to apply the same intentionality to influence others and execute my implementation plan.

How would you apply what you have learned to your next innovation project?

I have already applied so much of what I learned through my work in the ADL program. Some of the projects I’ve been a part of include:

District-wide password reset for all staff
Course creation for Google cloud storage changes
Social media and communication for the Digital Learning Team
Help Desk management for my team

As I look toward the future, the skills I’ve learned in the ADL program have an even greater impact than I could have ever imagined. My husband and I bought land in a small community in southern Missouri. I am already thinking about how to use what I learned to create a community garden and bring recycling to the area.

While I signed up for this program on a whim, I knew that it was meant to be. And I am eternally grateful.

References

Stateler, K. (2022). Growing a Growth Mindset in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD. Karin Stateler. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://karinstateler.com/?page_id=336

Stateler, K. (2022). Learning Manifesto. Karin Stateler. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://karinstateler.com/?page_id=332

Stateler, K. (2022, March 3). Connect → Collaborate → Comprehend → Create. Karin Stateler. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://karinstateler.com/?p=736

Stateler, K. (2022, March 8). 5302 & 5304: Contributions to the Learning Environment. Karin Stateler. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://karinstateler.com/?p=778

Stateler, K. (2022, March 8). Lizard Brains and Long Threads: Making Connections to Identify “My Why”. Karin Stateler. Retrieved Septebmer 18, 2022, from https://karinstateler.com/?p=767

Stateler, K. (2022, March 27). Grandpa’s Clock, Coaching Data, and What His Hands Knew. Karin Stateler. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://karinstateler.com/?p=828

Stateler, K. (2022, July 8). Collaborative Learning Spaces: Using Professional Learning Networks and the Cloud in Blended Environments for Adult Learners. Karin Stateler. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://karinstateler.com/?page_id=1180

Stateler, K. (2022, September 11). COVA Reflection and Application: Looking Back and Moving Forward. Karin Stateler. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://karinstateler.com/?p=1291