A Broken Cog--Teacherpreneur Version

Today was a disappointing day.
I had floated a proposal earlier this summer regarding a solution that I felt was a win-win for a changing world.

• It was based on instructional coaching and content research.  
• I had worked with others in conversations.
• It was grounded in pedagogy.
• It was more economical than corporate solutions.

I thought it was sound.  So did others.  I poured my heart and soul into this vision, as I do into everything that I believe matters.

It was flushed at the last minute after months of work. And I was frustrated.

This is also a stage in being a teacherpreneur.  Because sometimes the chips don't fall your way when you speak up.

Sometimes, teachers are not recognized as an equal partner because they stayed in the classroom.  Teachers may have as much or more education as the other entity involved.  Perhaps they have more pedagogical expertise.  And yet, our educational system is just beginning to come out of a 'parent-knows-best' CEO model and move to collaboration leadership.

As we shift our ecosystem to 21st century thinkers, school boards, administrations, and teachers will have to become equal partners, and will need to make their case to a community of parents, students, and business owners.  That becomes transformation, and a shared vision.

photo credit: GuySie via photopin cc

It's only when we work together as a team that great things happen.   This was a reminder of a singular truth.

One cog, no matter how big, cannot make the entire system work together, but one cog that jams can bring the entire model to a halt.  

Not all my ventures are successful.  And that means that my personality has to be strong enough to deal with the reality of disappointments.  And tomorrow, after a night to revamp, I will try again, moving to a new opportunity.  Because that's what I do.  I believe in education and have the passion needed to help transform it.  That is my story, but it is also the story of teacherpreneurs across the country.