An Open Letter to NJDOE Commissioner David Hespe #NJED

Over the years, and in my latest book, I have written about how social media has presented me and my school with numerous opportunities that I never could have imagined would be possible.  I stress the fact that we now have a plethora of free tools that compel leaders, or all educators for that matter, to become the storyteller-in-chief.  Regardless of whether the stories are being penned by myself, my staff, or the students of New Milford High School, we have done just that at NMHS. We have taken control of our public relations for our school and now actively promote all of the great work we are doing to prepare students for success in a global, digital world. Not only has the local media taken notice of the impactful work we are doing, but others around the world have as well.  I’m not going to lie, one of the best parts of my job as a Principal is being able to put my school in a position to be a model for the types of changes education needs and deserves.

Image credit: http://www.strongchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/open-letter.jpeg

Well, I have digressed a bit from the purpose of why I am writing this post. Not only has social media allowed us to flip the script and drown out the negative rhetoric that surrounds education all across the country, but it has also helped me find my voice. This still fascinates me, as I never thought that my opinions and ideas would have much traction outside Bergen County, NJ.  After my dear friend Ken Royal gave me a nudge, over four years ago I began to share my thoughts through blogging.   I have not shied away from sharing my opinions on educational technology, leadership, politics, policy, and reform.  The opinions of all educators matter and it is through platforms such as blogs and Twitter that I, and colleagues across the state, hope to engage all stakeholders in a meaningful conversation on how we can improve education.

Time to get back to my point.  Earlier this week I saw an article from NJ Spotlight titled THE LIST: NEW JERSEY'S 'EDUBLOGGERS' TALK POLICY, POLITICS -- AND TECHNOLOGY.  To my surprise I was identified as a blogger in NJ with some influence. Whether or not I do is besides the point. I immediately saw an opportunity to leverage this so-called influence to engage David Hespe, the new NJDOE Commissioner, in a conversation about the state of education in NJ. The previous Commissioner did not seem very concerned about what those of us in the trenches thought about the current state of education in our great state. To my knowledge there was little to no discourse with students who have and will continue to be impacted by the flurry of changes enacted in a short period of time. We can change this now Commissioner Hespe.

It is my hope that my network can assist me with getting him a message that we welcome an open dialogue so that together we can create teaching and learning cultures that work for our students. My goal is to have David Hespe visit New Milford HS in the near future to see firsthand the innovative work we are doing here.  Then I would like to set up a forum with other state educators so we can share our thoughts on some of the reforms that have been implemented as of late.  This would not be a gripe session, but instead an open conversation about how we can find a common group to accomplish the same goal we all possess – the success of our students.

I compel Commissioner Hespe to answer my call to action. Visit with us here at New Milford HS, engage in a dialogue with an array of educators and students, and listen to some of the ideas, as well as concerns, we have.  Let’s talk about the roll-out of Achieve NJ, Common Core, PARCC, SGO’s as well as some amazing innovative initiatives that inspire a passion for learning among our students.  The previous We can work out the details through email and then the phone, but let’s get this conversation started.  There is no better time than now for us to unite and move NJ to educational greatness as nothing less is expected. Please email me at esheninger@newmilfordschools.org.

Your Voice Matters So Use It

I often tell educators to be the change they want to see in education. This requires speaking up in any and all ways possible if you ever have the hopes of actually changing things. In education we often quip that our voices are not heard, opinions not valued, and our presence at the table when major decisions are made is absent. These statements are quite accurate from what I have experienced or seen as of late. However, if we just settle on the notion that this is how the world works and our voice will never matter, then how can we with a clear conscious complain about changes and reform efforts that we don't agree with? Worse yet, how can we idly stand by as many initiatives and mandates are put into motion that counter research and what we as educators know is best for our learners?

Image credit: http://as.sdsu.edu/govt/boards/uab/voice.html

Going to town halls and information sessions is a good start to voice concerns and questions in a public forum. However, even in these venues, having our voices heard and getting a response with substance is a crapshoot at best. In my experience, I usually leave these sessions with more questions than answers. Frustration and animosity build, which doesn't do me or anyone else any good. I have learned that social media has become a fantastic medium to put issues out in the open and let our voices be heard. 

Image credit: http://www.act-on.com/solutions/travel/

Here is a quick story that proves my point above. Late last week I read an article about how elected officials in the county where my school is located passed a resolution to stop the Common Core. I came across this article in my Twitter feed where I have a column set up for #njed. The tweet I read blasted this anti Common Core and PARCC decision. It just so happens that I tended to agree with the decision and voiced my opinion supporting the measure as I feel we are rushing to implement too many initiatives at once. The result was a constructive dialogue between me and three other educators on Twitter. We voiced our opinions, provided rationale for our respective stance, and then carried on with our day. I was not shy about expressing my thoughts on the Common Core and PARCC out in the open. Part of me always hopes that respectfully pushing back on issues I don't agree with will open up a dialogue with the people making these decisions. I, like many others, want my voice to be heard on issues that impact my students, teachers, and fellow administrators.

Now back to my story. So I return home that same night and get settled down for the last episode of Walking Dead from season 3 (side note - just started season one a few weeks ago, became addicted, and had to finish before season 4 begins on 10/13). As I waited for the commercials to end, I took a glance at my iPhone and noticed that I had a few new messages. I quickly noticed an email that intrigued me so much that I paused the Walking Dead. The email was from Bari Erlichson, the Assistant Commissioner of Education in NJ. Her message began with congratulating me on the Bammy Award I recently received and then quickly transitioned to my comments earlier in the day on PARCC and Common Core. She bluntly asked if she could call me the next day to discuss my concerns.

Just as she promised, Bari called me in my office the next morning from her cell phone. We had a candid, respectful conversation for about 45 minutes mostly on PARCC, but also Common Core, NJ School Performance Reports, and Achieve NJ. I can't begin to explain how great it felt that my voice actually mattered and I was able to freely express my opinions without any fear. Did we totally agree with each of our stances?  Probably not, but that is not my point. My point here is that we can use both traditional and non-traditional means of media and communication to make our voices heard. Don't settle for not being heard on some of the most important education issues of our generation. Blog, tweet, and pin your opinions as your dialogue is desperately needed. Let people know how you feel without being afraid. At the very least you will be able to get things off your chest.

How do you use and amplify your voice to initiate change in education?  I would love to hear other stories of how social media has helped your voice be heard.