Change Agent Baseline Reflection

Andrea Edbauer
November 4, 2014

My role as a change agent has been minimal up until this point. I believe in a democratic society
where differences are celebrated and affirmed. I also believe that all children can learn. I have
been a change agent outside of my classroom in some ways, such as being a Service Team
Leader at my school. The Service Team meets monthly and takes the lead on various projects
around the school. We also recommend areas of school improvement to administration. I also
help other teachers when they ask for advice on subjects that I have a strength in, such as The
Daily 5. Many teachers have visited my classroom to observe writer’s workshop, Daily 5, and
guided reading instruction.

To grow as a change agent, I need to find ways to have a greater impact on the literacy
profession. I need to help plan and implement professional development opportunities at my
school, and beyond. As I advance in my studies in the reading master’s program, I will develop a
stronger knowledge base, and gain confidence in my role as a leader in literacy. My district is
rolling out a new literacy plan this year. The goal is to recognize what we consider best practice
in various areas of the ELA curriculum, such as shared reading, guided reading, writer’s
workshop, etc. Next, teachers will receive professional development in these areas to make
sure we are all on the same page when it comes to literacy instruction. I am going to ask my
administrator and literacy specialists if I can help plan and implement some of these
professional development opportunities.

I would also like to instill the mindset of “together we can make a difference” in my classroom.
Working to make a difference in our community would make learning more applicable and
purposeful. This is the purpose of education in a true democracy.

April 28, 2019

During the 2015-2016 school year, I had the opportunity to act as a leader in my school
community through the implementation of a new writing program. I volunteered to pilot Lucy
Calkins’ ​Units of Study​ during the 2014-2015 school year. When all teachers were required to
begin using the program the following school year, I helped my team implement the curriculum
in their classroom by sharing my experiences and training tools.

I have not had other professional opportunities to act as a change agent, since I am not
currently teaching. I have shared knowledge with others during my graduate studies. For
example, while taking Literacy 720, our class had many discussions about how to help students
during our one-on-one tutoring sessions. I shared my knowledge of ​Words their Way​, and
brought my resource books to class for others to use. Another time, we had a discussion about
how it can be difficult to find engaging books for emergent readers, so I spent the next week
searching for books to share with my class.

I very much enjoy informal sharing of information with colleagues, but I still get nervous and
sometimes lack confidence when presenting information, and taking on a leadership role. This
is an area in which I look forward to improving.

June 1, 2019

In my previous reflections, I was mainly commenting on how a change agent is an individual

who makes a difference in education through leadership roles. However, after reading the
following from the university’s Model for Preparation of Educators, I have a new understanding
of what it means to be a change agent: “As a change agent, an educator is committed to a
vision of education that strives for a democratic society in which exceptionality, social class,
race, gender, ethnicity, and affectional preference are included and affirmed in all realms of
social and political life. This vision transforms curriculum and reaching practice in order to
reflect democracy.”

After reading this, I realize that I was only focusing on being a change agent through leadership.
However, being a change agent can also mean advocating for equality, and opening students’
eyes up to diversity and injustices. While I haven’t had many opportunities to act as a leader in
the literacy field, I have absolutely worked hard to incorporate diversity into my classroom
through focused units, and in everyday activities. I have also fought for the fair and equal
treatment of students in my classroom.