“It is the absolute duty of educators to look forward in an informed and balanced way to a future very different from the past; one that, though they may not themselves experience it fully, their students undoubtedly will.” Valerie Hannon and Anthony McKay, 2021 in Five Signposts for the Future of Educational Leadership I received quite a bit of feedback after my previous post about how we prepare for and respond to disruption in our education system. Some were appreciative of the perspectives I shared and the links provided, while a few expressed skepticism about what they felt I was … Continue reading Leading in uncertainty

There’s something very appealing about taking something we see and admire and then copying it for ourselves, expecting it to look the same on us or have the same impact on our lives or context. This is a pattern of how we operate in so many areas of life – it is how changes in fashion are perpetuated, or the latest craze on tik tok or in home decorating etc. None of us is immune from the influences of the ‘copy and paste’ behaviour. There are some downsides to this however. Like the time I bought a jacket because I … Continue reading Copy and Paste

In a recent webinar with a group of school leaders I was discussing their approaches to hybrid learning. At one point the issue of digital equity was raised, with one principal asking what was being done at a national level here in NZ to provision students with digital devices and internet connectivity. She went on to explain that in her school many of the students don’t have access to a device, and that she simply doesn’t have the funds available to support them – or to invest in some of the digital applications that may be helpful to support their … Continue reading Connectivity and devices

“When a wise man points at the moon the foolish man examines the finger.” Confucius It’s becoming cliched now to say that we’re living in times of unprecedented change – but it’s true. Some of the most difficult changes to understand and adjust to are the ones that are unexpected and out of our control – a recession, a global pandemic or a major disaster, for example.  Change of this nature may force us into new roles and new ways of It may challenge us to give up established and valued ways of functioning. Many of us find our sense of identity … Continue reading Building the capacity for change

“Successful long term planning is vital if society is going to survive and flourish, rather than collapse”. Jared Diamond; Collapse (p.523) Over the summer break I sat with a close friend having coffee and reflecting on more than five decades of knowing each other. As we sat in conversation, we reflected a lot on the extent to which our modern society has become focused on the short term, and not the long game. It’s very much about ‘me’ and less about ‘we’ and of instant, personal gratification over sacrifice for longer-term, communal benefits. Decades of being told we can do … Continue reading Thinking long