Discussion: Becoming an Agent of Change
Walden University has been committed to social change since it was founded in 1970. As part of this commitment, students in most every program and specialization are encouraged to actively engage in social action and to become an agent of change. What does it mean to be an agent of change? As a professional in an educational field, you have chosen to make a difference in the lives of children and students, which is an example of social change. In this course, and throughout your program, you have considered the education and development of children and the role of educators in the community.
For this Discussion, you will analyze how you will continue to use data in creating and supporting effective educational practices. You will also examine your own social change profile and how you can become an educational agent of change.
To prepare:
• Review Walden University’s mission and vision statements, the Callahan et al. paper (2012), and the Fullan (2016) chapters for this module. Consider the impact of data-driven positive social change on government leaders, teachers, and educators. For this module, review Walden University’s mission and vision statements, the Callahan et al. paper (2012), and the Fullan (2016) chapters. Consider the impact of data-driven positive social change on government officials, educators, and teachers. Read the article by Hargreaves and Ainscow (2015) and consider their ideas about leading from the middle. How might the concepts studied and insights gained in this course influence your future goals and development as a leader of educational change and a social change agent?
• Read the Hargreaves & Ainscow (2015) article and consider their ideas about leading from the middle. How might the concepts explored and insights you have gained in this course impact your future goals and your development as a leader of educational change and an agent of social change?
By Day 3 of Week 11
Post a response to the following:
• How will you continue to use data to inform your decisions in creating and supporting effective educational practices?
• How do you envision yourself becoming an educational agent of change in your future professional practice?
• What goals will you set for yourself following graduation to impact children, students, and your community?
• How will Walden’s mission and vision, the goals in the Callahan et al. (2012) paper, and Fullan’s (2016) thoughts on educational change influence your views and practices in the future?
For this Discussion, and all scholarly writing in this course and throughout your program, you will be required to use APA style and provide reference citations.
By Day 7 of Week 11
Read a selection of your colleagues’ posts, noting where you have similar or divergent goals from your peers.
Respond to at least two of your colleagues with suggestions or questions about their social change plans.
Submission and Grading Information
Grading Criteria
Fullan, M. (2016). The new meaning of educational change (5th ed.). New York, NY: Teachers College Press.
• Chapter 11, “Governments” (pp. 209–227)
• Chapter 12, “The Teaching Profession and Its Leaders” (pp. 228–257)
• Chapter 13, “The Future of Educational Change” (pp. 258–265)
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https://content.waldenu.edu/content/dam/laureate/laureate-academics/wal/ed-eddd/edsd-7900/readings/USW1_EDSD_7900_Callahan.pdf
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