Learn and Grow

In Leading with Change, the author states, “Opposition to change remains inevitable. In fact, if your proposed change does not engender opposition, then you should question whether or not what you are proposing really represents meaningful change.” Based on that statement we, as leaders should welcome the challenges that come with asking individuals to adjust their understanding of diverse learners. However, while supporting the individual oppositions, we must also foster an understanding amongst all those involved in our learning community. This is often easier said than done. The statement, 'herding cats', is often used in reference to getting small children to point A to point B. The same statement can be used to reference getting the parents, staff, school board, parents, students, etc. all on the same page when it comes to a common understanding in regards to how best to support the diverse learners within our community.


The term diverse learner is not exclusive to our students. The other stakeholders fall under the umbrella of being a diverse learner. Remember, diversity involves generational differences as well. Too often, generations who have already completed the school experience want their students to be taught the way they were taught. After all, they made it through just fine. However, as we have learned throughout this course, with each generation comes new experiences that the "older" generation did not experience. As a leader, we must foster the learning of others to experience the skills that the students of today and tomorrow need to be successful in the real world. It is very much a "walk a mile in my shoes" attitude. Only when the stakeholders other than the students experience what it takes for the student to be successful, will there be true understanding of the needs of our future caretakers of the world.