There’s a line. Sometimes we cross it. Sometimes we walk up to it. Sometimes we walk away from it. I have done all. There is a line.

Change is hard because when we change, we have to live the line. On one side we find our comfort, and on the other side we find a fear, a threat to our way, a threat to our comfort. In the middle, we find a mix because in the middle, we find others, and where there are others, there is difference, and where there is difference, there is a divide. There is a line.

On our side, in our comfort, we also find our conviction. And when pressed, we fight for our conviction. Or we don’t, for there are consequences to conviction. On Friday, during our district Professional Learning Day, guest speaker Dr. Anthony Muhammad drew the lines for us, separating a school’s culture into four groups: the Tweeners (new teachers), the Survivors (those who are hanging on), the Fundamentalists (defenders of the status quo), and the Believers (champions of change). And while that is probably an overly simplified representation, it provides the basics. It draws the lines. Of course, there is one line that may be more distinct: the line between the Fundamentalists and the Believers. Not shy about suggesting school culture is political, Dr. Muhammad directly pitted these two groups against each other, even calling out Believers for not speaking up and out against the defamation, disruption, and distraction of the Fundamentalists, stoking the fire by stating that he wished in retrospect he had titled Believers “Unapologetic Child Advocates.” And as he spoke of the line between and the need to cross it, I felt a swell, an energy to speak up and out. Why wouldn’t I? He was compelling. I was compelled. I am compelled, but…

But, there’s a line. I know it well. As one who’s been at the line of change for the majority of my career, I have lived the line. I have crossed it. I have walked up to it. I have walked away from it. Of late, at least in my district and building, I have shied away from it, made weary by the political capital required to be an outspoken “Believer,” I walked away from building and district leadership roles, content in my classroom and here in the Blogosphere and Twitterverse, where I am connected to and inspired by like-minded educators from around the world. Here on this side of the line, I have found comfort. But I have never been content with comfort, and Friday, Dr. Muhammad stirred my memory of this. But as I remember, I recall all that is the line: the tension, the isolation, the progress, the setbacks, and I am torn. Yes, I believe I have the responsibility to step up, but I also know the cost. And so, I don’t know. Well, I suppose that’s not completely honest. I do know. I will cross the line. Of course, I have tried to convince myself all weekend long that I am older and wiser and less a fighter now, but something stirred, and I am worried. Old ways die hard, and though I will try to keep my “passion” in check, it’s there; I can feel it, stirred by the line.

Today’s Trail

Along today’s trail we will experience…

…reconnecting through Smiles and Frowns.

…growing with grammar.

…reading “By Any Other Name.”

…reflecting in our Journey Journals.

…hearing a Sappy Sy Rhyme.

Happy Monday, all.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.