A few months ago, TIME Magazine called the years from 2000 to 2009 "The Decade from Hell." To support the claim, the cover story offered as evidence the collapse of Wall Street firms; the tumbling housing market; rising unemployment rates and frozen paychecks; massive natural disasters; pandemic illnesses; and the public's increasing lack of trust in the government, the church, and major corporations.
As educators, we know how the changes in our world, our country, and our communities affect our schools, our students, and our staff. This era of constant and rapid change has provided educators at all levels with opportunities to reflect on how we learn, teach, and lead.
For education leaders, there has been additional pressure during the last decade. We are expected to accomplish far more in a school year than ever before, to meet higher academic standards for all learners, and to develop the whole child. And just as we start to find some equilibrium, we have to do it all with record education budget cuts.
Just when we think we can't stretch any further, we catch a glimpse of hope. We see the resourcefulness that is borne out of hard times: An unemployed parent volunteers at his child's school and finds enjoyment in it. Educators collaborate and share resources in innovative ways while they strive to meet the needs of all learners. Young children donate pennies to help rebuild Haitian schools lost in the recent earthquake. Adversity gives way to gratitude, and courage and hope return to our hearts.
Yes, this has been a hard year—maybe even a hard decade. I believe, however, that challenging times build our resilience and creativity and have the potential to produce astonishing growth and innovation. Among our ASCD membership, we have incredible expertise and the capacity to find solutions to complex problems, but we must also be willing to engage and connect with diverse communities outside of our organization.
We must reach out to others dedicated to the development of the whole child, connecting with community leaders in health, public safety, community service, music, and the arts to form partnerships. We also need to utilize our public libraries, museums, historical attractions, and local businesses. We need to rebuild public trust and strengthen community involvement in our schools. It will take our collaborative efforts to create an environment that sparks innovation, creativity, and achievement in all children.
By approaching these challenges as opportunities for transformation, we can put our energy into finding solutions. Educators at all levels are moving beyond stale traditions and old ways of doing things and seeking innovation. We must be open to creative possibilities that push us outside of our comfort zones and pursue opportunities for our 21st century learners, who must learn to think critically and creatively, solve difficult problems, and communicate well.
As educators, we're on a journey, and it is our responsibility to be lifelong learners who innovate, collaborate, take risks, and learn from our mistakes. Each of us has a vested interest in the success of our learners in our increasingly competitive world. Let's make this decade the one that makes all the difference.