Learning Circle Conversation: Taking Charge of Change Reflection

On January 30, 2017, our Learning Circle connected by Skype to have a conversation about the
book Taking Charge of Change by Hord, Rutherford, Huling & Hall. Our Learning Circle is Daisy, Stacey,
Sharet and Jay. It was a challenge to get connected because Skype was not cooperating on this particular
night. Stacey and I were the first to connect, but Daisy and Sharet had a hard time. We tied Sharet into
the conversation for a time by phone, but eventually, we were able to connect with both Daisy and
Sharet using Skype. The key ideas that we gleaned from the book were that change takes time.
Implement change patiently, and it must be intentional. A school must be deliberate in its attempts to
make lasting positive changes in the way it operates. The Change Facilitator (CF) must be patient and
trust the process. In order to facilitate change a lot of questions should be asked to determine the best
direction for change in an organization. The other aspect of change that we discussed is that a person
does not have to be in charge to make change happen. Sometimes we, as teachers or employees, can
look at the organizational chart and decide that we do not have any influence. According to the Taking
Charge of Change, any person with a vision can initiate change in an organization.

We all shared what our purpose for our Participatory Action Research (PAR) project. Daisys
purpose was to help the English Language Learners (ELL), Staceys purpose was to help students get
jobs, and Sharets purpose was to seek ways to support undocumented students and parents in getting
access to funding for postsecondary education. My purpose to support teachers and students at the
secondary level to learn and achieve who had failed multiple times in their courses. I have been doing a
lot of research on the brain and discovering strategies that help students to learn, retain and apply what
they have learned.

The main application that I need to work on is creating a comprehensive action plan for my PAR
project. On page 74, the authors talk about being a CF who is deliberate in effecting change. By using the
strategies presented in this book, a CF can accomplish a great deal and save on time, resources and
frustration. The strategies they share will enable me to communicate and help my team implement the
changes we are trying to make more effectively. As I look at the purpose that each of us has for our
various PAR projects, I see a common theme of creating some change within our organization. This
mission directly relates to the strategies that this book describes.

The final question asks, What questions do you have about Taking Charge of Change? I have a
lot of questions, and they are all around implementation. How do I implement the strategies that are
outlined in the book? I believe I will answer my questions when I use the strategies as I facilitate my PAR
project. I have to use the strategies, and then I will adjust how I implement the strategies as I go through
the cycles of my PAR project.