Innovation Plan Update

My innovation plan was written in the Fall of 2021. At the time, I was teaching at a Newtech Network school that focuses on project-based learning. However, I found myself wanting to learn more about blended learning and its ability to personalize learning. So, I came up with Project-Based Learning Meet Blended Learning. I chose this because of the stakeholders at my former school district. I believed they would be more receptive to my innovation project if I included PBL. In hindsight, I should have made my innovation project more generic as I was encouraged to do. Now, I will need to go back and rewrite my innovation proposal and tailor it to my current school district and their initiatives. I spent eleven years teaching in my former district where I built strong relationships with stakeholders. My innovation project would be further along if I were still there, but I needed a change. There is always growth through change.

    In the Fall of 2022, I changed school districts and began building new relationships with new stakeholders. Then, in the Fall of 2023, we had an administration turnover. Since I first started the ADL program and wrote the innovation plan, there have been many changes to my work situation. Currently, I work on a team of eight teachers. The elementary school I work at has over 950 students. The district is quadruple the size of my former district and is still growing. The good news is that I am a part of an empowered learning academy that meets each month. Through this program, I am meeting stakeholders within the district. I am also meeting other teachers from campuses across the district. 

    Currently, I am implementing the pilot program within my classroom and conducting action research. When I have gathered the data from the action research, I will feel more confident presenting the innovation project to my campus stakeholders. I’m learning that action research is important to this current school district. The goal is to complete the action research this spring. I plan to rewrite my innovation proposal and implementation plan to include the action research data. Data will bring confidence, help me to present my innovation plan, and have crucial conversations with stakeholders. When stakeholders are on board, it will move forward as planned. Progress has been made with lots of pivots. The Fall of 2021 feels very far away. It is time for a new iteration of the plan and proposal, which I'm excited to work on.