27 Jan BECOMING AN AGENT OF CHANGE:Walden University has been committed to social change since it was founded in 1970. As part of this commitment, students in most every program and specialization

due Feb 4 at 10:00am

Module 6: Discussion

BECOMING AN AGENT OF CHANGE

Walden University has been committed to social change since it was founded in 1970. As part of this commitment, students in most every program and specialization are encouraged to actively engage in social action and to become an agent of change. What does it mean to be an agent of change? As a professional in an educational field, you have chosen to make a difference in the lives of children and students, which is an example of social change. In this course, and throughout your program, you have considered the education and development of children and the role of educators in the community.

For this Discussion, you will analyze how you will continue to use data in creating and supporting effective educational practices. You will also examine your own social change profile and how you can become an educational agent of change.

To prepare:

· Review Walden University’s mission and vision statements, the Callahan et al. paper (2012), and the Fullan (2016) chapters for this module. Consider the impact of data-driven positive social change on government leaders, teachers, and educators.

· Read the Hargreaves & Ainscow (2015) article and consider their ideas about leading from the middle. How might the concepts explored and insights you have gained in this course impact your future goals and your development as a leader of educational change and an agent of social change?

Assignment Task Part 1

Post a 1page response to the following:

· How will you continue to use data to inform your decisions in creating and supporting effective educational practices?

· How do you envision yourself becoming an educational agent of change in your future professional practice? (Expound here on becoming an educational agent of change as a Early Childhood Doctoral College Professor)

· What goals will you set for yourself following graduation to impact children, students, and your community? 1. Helping Kids Build Trust, Self-confidence & Independence in becoming great decision makers. 2. Model a growth mindset and foster the same in my students. and 3. Enhance resources for positive individual, family, and community growth. .

· How will Walden’s mission and vision, the goals in the Callahan et al. (2012) paper, and Fullan’s (2016) thoughts on educational change influence your views and practices in the future of becoming an Early Childhood Doctoral College Professor.

For this Discussion, and all scholarly writing in this course and throughout your program, you will be required to use APA style and provide reference citations.

BY DAY 7 OF WEEK 11

Read a selection of your colleagues’ posts, noting where you have similar or divergent goals from your peers.

Respond to at least two of your colleagues with suggestions or questions about their social change plans.

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Module 6 Colleague Responses

Assignment Task Part 211

Read a selection of your colleagues’ posts…. In a 150 word response each:

· noting where you have similar or divergent goals from your peers.

· Respond to at least two of your colleagues with suggestions or questions about their social change plans.

Amanda Puryear

Jan 15, 2023Jan 15 at 8:48pm

Manage Discussion Entry

I began my Walden journey in 2020, and since then, I have had to opportunity to grow not only in my knowledge but also in my leadership skills. I will continue to use data-informed decision-making practice in my responsibilities are a curriculum specialist within my district. Throughout my time at Walden, I have implemented strategies I have learned in this program in my instructional coaching. I feel that my teachers and administrative partners have benefited from my gained knowledge in curriculum design, instructional practices, and data literacy.

Since my district is small, I am able to contribute to many campus-based and district-based departments. Because of this, I am able to maintain a clear picture of the needs of both individual teachers and the district as a whole. This enables me to find more well-rounded solutions to problems that my district is facing and be better able to initiate and guide change. Goals that I have for my professional future are to become a Dean of instruction for a district. This position will allow me to work district-wide to execute district instructional programs and build teacher capacity.  

Walden University's mission is to provide students with "the opportunity to transform themselves as scholar-practitioners so that they can effect positive social change. (Walden University, 2017b)". Walden's mission is one that I can support throughout my career by playing forward the knowledge that I have gained through my time at Walden. By giving the people around me the opportunity to grow into leaders and agents of change, I can see my community flourish. I can grow the people around me by practicing Callahan et al. (2012) features of social change.  

References

Callahan, D., Wilson, E., Birdsall, I., Estabrook-Fishinghawk, B., Carson, G., Ford, S. Yob, I. (2012).  Expanding our understanding of social change: A report from the definition task force of the HLC Special Emphasis Project  Walden University.

Walden University. (2017b).  About: Our history  Links to an external site. . Retrieved from  https://www.waldenu.edu/about/who-we-are  Links to an external site. .

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Katheryn Gonzales

SundayJan 22 at 9:08am

Manage Discussion Entry

Throughout this course, I have learned much about data's importance in decision-making, leadership, accountability, and collaboration. As an educational specialist, I will continue to use data to inform my teaching practices. Data will support collaboration with my team as we discuss strategies to move students across the grade level. Finally, I work with the administration to communicate longitudinal data that will impact my school's mission and vision as we work together to create shared meaning (Fullan, 2016).

Callahan et al. (2012) define social change as long-term solutions promoting lasting effects. I envision becoming an agent of change by collaborating with teachers, administration, instructional coaches, and district leaders through professional learning communities to utilize data, evidence-based strategies, and shared goals to move our students forward. I will also advocate for students who do not have a voice. As a scholar-practitioner, I will continue to learn and apply what I have learned to make a lasting impact on my students. Teachers, by nature, are reflective. We reflect on lessons taught, make changes, and improve our practices. As an agent of change, I will continue to reflect upon my practice to become a better teacher and to make a positive impact on those around me.

My initial goal after graduation is to be more active as a teacher leader. I have never seen myself as a leader. Still, after working toward obtaining my specialist degree, I know that leadership is more about impacting and motivating others to make good decisions (Fullan, 2016). I aim to bring this type of energy to my professional learning communities. My next goal is to become an instructional strategist in my community. I want to work full-time with teachers and administration to support teachers and the school.

Walden University's (2017b) mission is to allow students to turn themselves into scholar-practitioners so they can become positive agents of change. Callahan et al. (2012) have shown me that many features contribute to social change. As I move forward in my career in education, I will use the knowledge I have learned to embody these features to make a positive impact.

Callahan, D., Wilson, E., Birdsall, I., Estabrook-Fishinghawk, B., Carson, G., Ford, S. Yob, I. (2012).  Expanding our understanding of social change: A report from the definition task force of the HLC Special Emphasis Project  Walden University.

Fullan, M. (2016). The new meaning of educational change (5th ed.). New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

Walden University. (2017b).  About: Our history  Links to an external site. . Retrieved from  https://www.waldenu.edu/about/who-we-are  Links to an external site. .

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MODULE 6: LEARNING RESOURCES

Required Readings

· Fullan, M. (2016). The new meaning of educational change (5th ed.). New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

· Chapter 11, “Governments” (pp. 209–227)

· Chapter 12, “The Teaching Profession and Its Leaders” (pp. 228–257)

· Chapter 13, “The Future of Educational Change” (pp. 258–265)

· Callahan, D., Wilson, E., Birdsall, I., Estabrook-Fishinghawk, B., Carson, G., Ford, S., . . . Yob, I. (2012).  Expanding our understanding of social change: A report from the definition task force of the HLC Special Emphasis Project  Download Expanding our understanding of social change: A report from the definition task force of the HLC Special Emphasis Project [White paper]. Minneapolis, MN: Walden University.

Social Change Web Maps [Diagrams]. Adapted from Expanding our understanding of social change, by ​Callahan, D., Wilson, E., Birdsall, I., Estabrook-Fishinghawk, B., Carson, G., Ford, S., Ouzts, K., & Yob, I., 2008. Baltimore, MD: Walden University. Adapted with permission of Walden University.

· Hargreaves, A, & Ainscow, M. (2015).  The top and bottom of leadership and change  Links to an external site. .  Phi Delta Kappan, 97(3), 43–48.

· Walden University. (2017a).  The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Services  Links to an external site. . Retrieved from https://www.waldenu.edu/about/colleges-schools/riley-college-of-education

Review the Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Services page to locate the Educational Specialist program outcomes and your specialization’s curriculum and outcomes for this module’s Assignment.

· Walden University. (2017b).  About: Our history  Links to an external site. . Retrieved from https://www.waldenu.edu/about/who-we-are

Review this site for information on Walden University’s mission and vision and its focus on social change.

· Walden University. (2015b).  Professional dispositions  Download Professional dispositions. Minneapolis, MN: Author.

· Walden University. (2015a).  Diversity proficiencies  Download Diversity proficiencies. Minneapolis, MN: Author.

· Walden University. (2015c).  Technology proficiencies  Download Technology proficiencies. Minneapolis, MN: Author.