Influencer Strategy

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Goal

The upper elementary grade levels, 3-6, will implement a blended learning model in their classrooms to increase personalized learning by the end of the year.

3 Vital Behaviors

1. Teachers will design and implement a blended learning model in their classrooms.

2. Teachers will integrate blended learning into the curriculum and include it into lesson plans.

3. Teachers will attend bi-weekly PLC meetings to hold each other accountable for collaboration and integration.

Measurement

Organizational Influencers

We will measure how teachers are integrating blended learning into the curriculum by asking for access to the upper elementary grade level's lesson plans and checking in with instructional coaches to see how blended learning is being incorporated successfully. Routinely checking in with team leaders to see how implementation is going will be an informal way to measure implementation.

We will have the third through sixth grade team leads help to influence their teams and to hold team members accountable for implementation of a blended learning model during their team PLCs. Instructional coaches will also be key influencers as they lead PLC meetings. We have a new program called Project Lead the Way. In this program teachers learn to facilitate and coach and become comfortable in these roles as their students guide their own learning. I feel like this program has similar goals as the blended learning model. The Project Lead the Way director will also be a key influencer.

Successful influencers use 4 vital behavior search strategies to effectively influence change and behaviors:

Notice the obvious
Look for crucial moments
Learn from positive deviants
Spot Culture Busters

I noticed that students were not engaged fully or given ownership of their learning. I looked for moments that teachers could implement change in the class to increase student learning and success. There are many opportunities to use technology to implement a blended learning model. Teachers are currently teaching using project-based learning, so including a blended learning model will increase personalization in addition to the collaborative piece. After taking a closer look at the campus culture, I was able to identify some positive deviants of teachers already using some components of blended learning in their classrooms. These teachers will be able to model their current practices to influence other teachers on campus and propel the plan forward. By collecting stories from colleagues and students, I was able to identify some current behaviors that were working on our campus. Some norms that I uncovered are teachers want what is best for students and our open to change. Several teachers would like more guidance on how to give students more ownership through blended learning. Although there are some vital behaviors that need change and influence, there are many positive deviants to help influence other teachers to make change in the right direction. It is important to see what is working and use it as a catalyst to make lasting change. We know that peers are powerful influencers for making lasting change. Using current teachers to influence others is a strong strategy.

Six Sources of Influence

Six sources of influence are necessary to successfully lead organizational change. In order to implement my innovation plan, Project Based Learning, Meet Blended Learning, I will need to be strategic in identifying key influencers, recognizing vital behaviors, and having clearly defined, measurable goals. According to research, by getting six different sources of influence to work in their favor, influencers increase the odd of success tenfold (Grenny, 2013).

MOTIVATION

ABILITY

Share Call to Action video, brief introduction to blended learning benefits, and my Why.
Provide opportunities for teachers to observe my classroom blended-learning environment.
Ask participant teachers how they like to learn and have them share their stories.
Ask teachers how their students enjoy learning and when they observe their students at their best, share.

PERSONAL

Provide professional development on blended learning
Schedule times for teachers to meet and share resources and thoughts
Push out weekly emails with tips, videos and best practices for continual learning.

SOCIAL

Highlight a teacher every month on school social media for implementation of blended learning.
Provide incentives for participation.
Participate in weekly "shout outs" during team meetings for teachers showing success with implementation. Peer praise opportunities.

A hub will be created and shared in a common drive for teachers to access and share lessons including the blended learning model.
Instructional coaches will set up and model a simulation of a blended learning environment.
A planning template will be provided for teams to use with their teams at PLCs.

Provide teachers assistance with setting up their classroom for a blended learning environment.
Provide technology tools to help organize and aide with implementing a blended learning environment.

STRUCTURAL

Team leads will share what elements of blended learning are working well and discuss with team.
Schedule collaboration meetings for upper grade levels to discuss with each other their experiences and successes.
Provide a mentor teacher for teachers who need some extra guidance and encouragement.
Instructional coaches will observe classrooms and provide feedforward and encouragement.

References

Grenny, J., Patterson, K., Maxfield, D., McMillan, R., & Switzler, A. (2013).

Influencer: The new science of leading change. New York, NY:

McGraw-Hill.