July 17, 2024 • 12 mins
I’m in a group chat with several of my favorite fellow educational leaders where we help each other work through issues stemming from a variety of topics. But one recent question posed to the group really got to the heart of so much of what is facing educators in the United States: Fear.
Fear has a profound impact on public education, often holding back progress and innovation.
From curriculum choices, to developing a supportive school culture, to the fear instilled by standardized testing for both students and teachers, fear in educational environments limits critical thinking, disengages students, and keeps teachers stuck with outdated methods and practices.
Overcoming these fears involves fostering a supportive environment that encourages risk taking, values diverse viewpoints, and prioritizes the well being of both students and teachers.
But it is possible to create change in our educational systems and there are three essential Ps that can help us do it.
[fusebox_track_player url="https://media.blubrry.com/modernlearners/content.blubrry.com/modernlearners/LTC_27_FINAL.mp3" title="27. Permission, Protection, and Policy Reduction"]
LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE TO HEAR:
Why Permission is crucial to cultivating an environment where students and teachers can innovate
Why teachers need Protection from punitive consequences in order to take risks and create opportunities for growth
How Policy Reduction helps educators be more agile and responsive in implementing new ideas
Questions for educators and leaders to help identify where and how to bring more of the 3 Ps into schools
LEARN MORE ABOUT MELISSA EMLER AND MODERN LEARNERS:
Modern Learners
Modern Learners Community
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:05):
I'm Melissa Em, Chief Learning officer at Modern
learners and this. Is
learning to change, the podcast that redefine change
through the lens of learning.
With a shared passion for learn and a
wealth of experience in professional development,
Our goal is to help you unlock your
full potential and drive meaningful change in your
(00:27):
life
and your
organization.
So I belong to a Hell group chat.
This group chat is comprised of 5 really
smart female educational leaders who serve as thought
partners to each other on a variety of
(00:48):
different topics.
And yesterday,
in the Hell group chat, 1 of my
friends asked a question or started this conversation
with this message.
I need a book or a resource or
a tech or something
that's focused on building school culture for high
school. Any suggestions?
(01:09):
The context for the ask was revealed a
few messages later.
I'm supporting a principle for a high school
that has a huge attendance problem. But student
achievement isn't impacted at all. And when kids
succeed without being at school, parents are figuring,
they can go on more trips because
Apparently, missing school doesn't seem to matter. Through
(01:30):
the text interactions, the challenge was thought to
be more of a design issue than a
culture issue,
until the person said this.
Teachers are afraid to do anything different because
the community appears to anti teacher and anti
public education.
There it was
the real challenge facing the school
(01:52):
and so many others.
Fear.
Fear has a profound impact on public education,
often holding back progress and innovation,
consider how curriculum choices are shaped by fear
of controversy,
leading educators to avoid teaching important but sensitive
topics, like basically anything right now due to
(02:15):
the diverse nature of politics
in the Us.
This only results in narrow education that
really limits critical thinking
The pressure of standardized testing creates an atmosphere
where schools
teach to the test,
which I'm experiencing through the planned pilot right
now, when I hear things like,
(02:38):
but it will be on the regions, how
will we be sure they're ready for the
regions?
So again, the pressure of standardized testing creates
an atmosphere where we clearly teach to the
test,
focusing on rote memo
rather than a true understanding,
which ultimately
dis disengaged students.
(03:00):
Innovation in teaching methods and technology is often
halted by fear of failure,
Leaving educators stuck, in outdated practices.
Students facing high stakes testing can develop anxiety
and stress, which negatively affects their mental health
and engagement
and even teachers aren't immune to the pressure
(03:21):
of the high stakes test,
and that
stress and anxiety
negatively
affects teachers, mental health and engagement
and
attendance.
So
My friend was talking about student attendance being
an issue. I wonder if teacher attendance is
also an issue.
(03:44):
Overcoming these fears
involves fostering a supportive environment that encourages risk
picking, values diverse viewpoints. And prioritizes
the well being of both students and teachers.
Years ago in 1 of our change school
cohorts
1 of our members visited high tech high.
(04:05):
The school that served as the setting for
the widely acclaimed documentary
most likely to succeed.
He shared with fellow cohort members, the most
profound thing he learned on his visit was
the 3 p's.
Permission?
Protection and policy
reduction.
These 3 p's are the way to move
(04:27):
through fear,
to make change less
scary.
Giving
people the 3 p's is something that
The community can control.
So permission is crucial in fostering a culture
where innovation can thrive.
When educators and students feel they have the
(04:48):
permission to experiment,
take risks and think outside the box, They
are more likely to engage in creative,
problem solving and develop new approaches
to learning.
This sense of freedom helps to eliminate the
fear of making mistakes
as mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth,
(05:11):
rather than as failures.
Protection is equally important in building a strong
culture,
When teachers and students know they are protected
from punitive
consequences.
The keyword there is punitive
consequences.
For taking risks and trying new things,
(05:31):
it creates a safe environment where
experimentation is
encouraged.
This protection nurture confidence,
reduces anxiety,
and
foster a sense of security,
allowing individuals to focus on
innovation and learning
(05:51):
rather
than worrying
about the repercussions.
Next, policy
reduction
simplifies the landscape,
making it easier to navigate
and less intimidating.
By reducing
the bureaucratic red tape schools can create a
(06:12):
more agile and responsive environment.
This enables educators to implement new ideas quickly
and effectively,
allowing for rapid cycles
of testing and change and trying things out
without being bogged down by excessive
regulations.
Simplified policies,
(06:33):
also
empower teachers and students to focus on what
truly matters.
The learning experience.
Incorporating the 3 p's
Permission, protection, and policy
reduction can transform a fearful environment into 1
that embraces change, and foster a culture of
innovation.
(06:53):
So before you go and spend a ton
of money on a widely
pro proclaimed to be the best thing ever
curriculum
for culture improvement,
simply
support the development of 3 piece,
permission, protection, and policy
reduction.
Here are some of the coaching questions that
(07:13):
you can ask that will help educators and
leaders
reflect and take actionable steps
before spending hundreds of thousand dollars on a
thing.
Here we go.
Questions to ask for permission.
In what ways can we give our teachers
and students more autonomy,
(07:33):
to innovate and explore.
What specific
permissions do you need to feel confident
in trying out new teaching methods and projects.
How can we recognize
and reward
innovative practices and ideas
within our school community.
(07:55):
For protection, we can ask these questions,
How can we ensure that teachers and students
feel safe
to experiment
without fear of negative consequences?
What consequences
can we eliminate?
What support systems
can we put in place?
(08:16):
To protect those who take risks and innovate.
What policies or practices
might be creating a sense of fear or
insecurity,
among our educators and students?
How can we address these,
Before you can address them, you have to
identify them. That's a really important step.
(08:38):
Finally, for policy
reduction let's us these questions.
Which policies or procedures?
Do you find most cumbersome or restrictive
in your work?
What specific policies could we reduce or eliminate
to foster a more flexible and responsive
learning environment?
(09:00):
In what ways can we simplify
administrative processes
to allow more time and energy for teaching
and learning?
And finally,
how can we involve teachers and students in
the process of identifying and reducing?
Unnecessary policies.
(09:20):
The 3 p's,
permission,
protection, and policy reduction
can transform our schools into environments
where innovation and growth flourish.
By granting permission, we encourage educators and students
to take risks and explore new ideas without
fear of failure.
Providing protection ensures a safe space where
(09:43):
experimentation is celebrated.
And individuals feel secure to push the boundaries
of traditional schooling.
Reducing
unnecessary policies creates a more agile and responsive
educational landscape allowing for swift and effective
implementation of new approaches.
(10:04):
These lessons on culture are essential
to the concept of learning to change.
Embracing the 3 p's helps us build strong
supportive communities
where learning
is the focus.
Now I'm going to say them again because
I heard them years ago, and I would
always refer to them. And every time I'd
(10:25):
be referring to them, I would forget 1
of them. So I'm going to say them
again.
Permission,
protection, and policy
reduction.
Permission,
protection,
policy
reduction. Create a jingle in your head,
stick them in there because you will be
surprised at how many times
(10:45):
you can refer to the 3 piece.
Permission protection and policy
reduction when you're in
conversations with colleagues
about finding
solutions to problems.
To be honest, it all starts with the
3 piece.
So again, take these 3 p's into a
discussion that you have today.
(11:07):
And go make some good trouble.
Thank you for joining me today on the
learning to change podcast
I hope you found our discussion insightful and
inspiring as we continue to explore the power
of learning and its impact on change,
Remember that it's not about pushing yourself or
(11:27):
others to change, but about embracing the process
of learning.
Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast on
your favorite platform, so you never miss an
episode. If you're ready to take your learning
journey to the next level, or bring about
a culture of learning in your organization, join
us in our free, modern learners community,
(11:48):
We are here to help you navigate the
challenges and celebrate the successes that come with
embracing learning
and change.
Simply go to modern learners dot community and
join us today. You'll find all the resources
from today's show in there. Until next time,
stay curious, and remember, I'm not asking you
(12:09):
to change. I'm asking you to learn.
Learning to change is produced by yellow house
media, our production coordinator is Lou blazer, Marty
Sea Edits our episode, our production assistant is
Emily killed up and Sean Mc is our
executive producer. Learning to change is recorded on
the stolen land of the Soc and Fox
(12:30):
strides, the Miami nation, the Os,
S Ka,
H, and k peoples
I'm Melissa Em, Chief Learning officer at Modern
learners and this. Is
learning to change, the podcast that redefine change
through the lens of learning.
With a shared passion for learn and a
wealth of experience in professional development,
Our goal is to help you unlock your
full potential and drive meaningful change in your
(00:27):
life
and your
organization.
So I belong to a Hell group chat.
This group chat is comprised of 5 really
smart female educational leaders who serve as thought
partners to each other on a variety of
(00:48):
different topics.
And yesterday,
in the Hell group chat, 1 of my
friends asked a question or started this conversation
with this message.
I need a book or a resource or
a tech or something
that's focused on building school culture for high
school. Any suggestions?
(01:09):
The context for the ask was revealed a
few messages later.
I'm supporting a principle for a high school
that has a huge attendance problem. But student
achievement isn't impacted at all. And when kids
succeed without being at school, parents are figuring,
they can go on more trips because
Apparently, missing school doesn't seem to matter. Through
(01:30):
the text interactions, the challenge was thought to
be more of a design issue than a
culture issue,
until the person said this.
Teachers are afraid to do anything different because
the community appears to anti teacher and anti
public education.
There it was
the real challenge facing the school
(01:52):
and so many others.
Fear.
Fear has a profound impact on public education,
often holding back progress and innovation,
consider how curriculum choices are shaped by fear
of controversy,
leading educators to avoid teaching important but sensitive
topics, like basically anything right now due to
(02:15):
the diverse nature of politics
in the Us.
This only results in narrow education that
really limits critical thinking
The pressure of standardized testing creates an atmosphere
where schools
teach to the test,
which I'm experiencing through the planned pilot right
now, when I hear things like,
(02:38):
but it will be on the regions, how
will we be sure they're ready for the
regions?
So again, the pressure of standardized testing creates
an atmosphere where we clearly teach to the
test,
focusing on rote memo
rather than a true understanding,
which ultimately
dis disengaged students.
(03:00):
Innovation in teaching methods and technology is often
halted by fear of failure,
Leaving educators stuck, in outdated practices.
Students facing high stakes testing can develop anxiety
and stress, which negatively affects their mental health
and engagement
and even teachers aren't immune to the pressure
(03:21):
of the high stakes test,
and that
stress and anxiety
negatively
affects teachers, mental health and engagement
and
attendance.
So
My friend was talking about student attendance being
an issue. I wonder if teacher attendance is
also an issue.
(03:44):
Overcoming these fears
involves fostering a supportive environment that encourages risk
picking, values diverse viewpoints. And prioritizes
the well being of both students and teachers.
Years ago in 1 of our change school
cohorts
1 of our members visited high tech high.
(04:05):
The school that served as the setting for
the widely acclaimed documentary
most likely to succeed.
He shared with fellow cohort members, the most
profound thing he learned on his visit was
the 3 p's.
Permission?
Protection and policy
reduction.
These 3 p's are the way to move
(04:27):
through fear,
to make change less
scary.
Giving
people the 3 p's is something that
The community can control.
So permission is crucial in fostering a culture
where innovation can thrive.
When educators and students feel they have the
(04:48):
permission to experiment,
take risks and think outside the box, They
are more likely to engage in creative,
problem solving and develop new approaches
to learning.
This sense of freedom helps to eliminate the
fear of making mistakes
as mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth,
(05:11):
rather than as failures.
Protection is equally important in building a strong
culture,
When teachers and students know they are protected
from punitive
consequences.
The keyword there is punitive
consequences.
For taking risks and trying new things,
(05:31):
it creates a safe environment where
experimentation is
encouraged.
This protection nurture confidence,
reduces anxiety,
and
foster a sense of security,
allowing individuals to focus on
innovation and learning
(05:51):
rather
than worrying
about the repercussions.
Next, policy
reduction
simplifies the landscape,
making it easier to navigate
and less intimidating.
By reducing
the bureaucratic red tape schools can create a
(06:12):
more agile and responsive environment.
This enables educators to implement new ideas quickly
and effectively,
allowing for rapid cycles
of testing and change and trying things out
without being bogged down by excessive
regulations.
Simplified policies,
(06:33):
also
empower teachers and students to focus on what
truly matters.
The learning experience.
Incorporating the 3 p's
Permission, protection, and policy
reduction can transform a fearful environment into 1
that embraces change, and foster a culture of
innovation.
(06:53):
So before you go and spend a ton
of money on a widely
pro proclaimed to be the best thing ever
curriculum
for culture improvement,
simply
support the development of 3 piece,
permission, protection, and policy
reduction.
Here are some of the coaching questions that
(07:13):
you can ask that will help educators and
leaders
reflect and take actionable steps
before spending hundreds of thousand dollars on a
thing.
Here we go.
Questions to ask for permission.
In what ways can we give our teachers
and students more autonomy,
(07:33):
to innovate and explore.
What specific
permissions do you need to feel confident
in trying out new teaching methods and projects.
How can we recognize
and reward
innovative practices and ideas
within our school community.
(07:55):
For protection, we can ask these questions,
How can we ensure that teachers and students
feel safe
to experiment
without fear of negative consequences?
What consequences
can we eliminate?
What support systems
can we put in place?
(08:16):
To protect those who take risks and innovate.
What policies or practices
might be creating a sense of fear or
insecurity,
among our educators and students?
How can we address these,
Before you can address them, you have to
identify them. That's a really important step.
(08:38):
Finally, for policy
reduction let's us these questions.
Which policies or procedures?
Do you find most cumbersome or restrictive
in your work?
What specific policies could we reduce or eliminate
to foster a more flexible and responsive
learning environment?
(09:00):
In what ways can we simplify
administrative processes
to allow more time and energy for teaching
and learning?
And finally,
how can we involve teachers and students in
the process of identifying and reducing?
Unnecessary policies.
(09:20):
The 3 p's,
permission,
protection, and policy reduction
can transform our schools into environments
where innovation and growth flourish.
By granting permission, we encourage educators and students
to take risks and explore new ideas without
fear of failure.
Providing protection ensures a safe space where
(09:43):
experimentation is celebrated.
And individuals feel secure to push the boundaries
of traditional schooling.
Reducing
unnecessary policies creates a more agile and responsive
educational landscape allowing for swift and effective
implementation of new approaches.
(10:04):
These lessons on culture are essential
to the concept of learning to change.
Embracing the 3 p's helps us build strong
supportive communities
where learning
is the focus.
Now I'm going to say them again because
I heard them years ago, and I would
always refer to them. And every time I'd
(10:25):
be referring to them, I would forget 1
of them. So I'm going to say them
again.
Permission,
protection, and policy
reduction.
Permission,
protection,
policy
reduction. Create a jingle in your head,
stick them in there because you will be
surprised at how many times
(10:45):
you can refer to the 3 piece.
Permission protection and policy
reduction when you're in
conversations with colleagues
about finding
solutions to problems.
To be honest, it all starts with the
3 piece.
So again, take these 3 p's into a
discussion that you have today.
(11:07):
And go make some good trouble.
Thank you for joining me today on the
learning to change podcast
I hope you found our discussion insightful and
inspiring as we continue to explore the power
of learning and its impact on change,
Remember that it's not about pushing yourself or
(11:27):
others to change, but about embracing the process
of learning.
Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast on
your favorite platform, so you never miss an
episode. If you're ready to take your learning
journey to the next level, or bring about
a culture of learning in your organization, join
us in our free, modern learners community,
(11:48):
We are here to help you navigate the
challenges and celebrate the successes that come with
embracing learning
and change.
Simply go to modern learners dot community and
join us today. You'll find all the resources
from today's show in there. Until next time,
stay curious, and remember, I'm not asking you
(12:09):
to change. I'm asking you to learn.
Learning to change is produced by yellow house
media, our production coordinator is Lou blazer, Marty
Sea Edits our episode, our production assistant is
Emily killed up and Sean Mc is our
executive producer. Learning to change is recorded on
the stolen land of the Soc and Fox
(12:30):
strides, the Miami nation, the Os,
S Ka,
H, and k peoples
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