What it means to be proactive:
- Focus on what is wanted rather than what isn't
- Take responsibility rather than blame outside circumstances, seeing them as obstacles or problems
- Choose and control response to circumstances (people, events, environment)
- Create events and opportunities by setting one's own goals
- Go forward with purpose
- Keep readjusting the sails to arrive at the target goal
- Ask, What can I contribute?, rather than, What can I get? or What can I achieve?
The benefits of being proactive:
- Won't be doomed to work to achieve the goals of others
- Won't be holding high the banner of emotionally charged issues
- Won't go with the flow that leads to undesirable outcomes
- Won't rely on "silver bullets"
- Won't feel "acted upon" leading to resentment and ill-will
Thus...Circle of influence will be expanded which will result in an increase of power
Why being proactive is essential to improve the education of our diverse learners: If those who are knowledgeable about "what works" for diverse learners through research/study and/or experience don't take a proactive stance in advocacy, they will find themselves taking a reactive stance to the policies set by those who are not knowledgeable about the issues. 'A reactive stance is not nearly as powerful as a proactive stance.
What to do to be proactive:
When Linda Darling-Hammond was in Salt Lake City for an Education Policy Forum, I asked her to respond to the following comment by the late Dr. Ronald Edmonds from Harvard University:
"We can, whenever and wherever we choose, successfully teach all children whose schooling is of interest to us. We already know more than we need to do that. Whether or not we do it must finally depend on how we feel about the fact that we haven't so far."
Edmonds, R. R. "Effective Schools for the Urban Poor." Educational Leadership 37 (1979): 15-27.
Darling-Hammond's response was enlightening and thought-provoking. She asked, "Who is the 'we'?" It was at that moment that I realized that not everyone knows and that what Walter Kelly's creation, Pogo, said, "We have met the enemy and it is us" definitely applies. It is up to those who have researched and studied this issue to educate those who aren't knowledgeable.
By taking the following steps, we can expand the "we."
- Be knowledgeable about the issue focusing on "what works" rather than what doesn't
- Network with others who are knowledgeable
- Work together to identify, pinpoint, and prioritize the key points/goals/desired outcomes and be able to succinctly articulate them
- Devise a plan that will embrace a variety of avenues to share #3 with policy makers, students, educators, parents, community groups, the general public, etc. and let them know specifically how they can contribute to the cause
- Follow up so everyone feels responsible and accountable
- Keep "readjusting the sails" until the desired goals and outcomes are achieved
Victor Frankl survived the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz by discovering the ultimate freedom "to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way." We are facing some dire circumstances in the education arena, especially in regards to our diverse learners. It is my hope that we who are committed (and those who should be!) to serving our diverse learners will grasp a proactive attitude....and choose our own way... a way that advocates for what works for our diverse learners.
