Blog Post #2
George Couros, in his TED Talk “#Our Voice”, shares his favorite quote, the one he says “drives him”. What does this quote mean to you?
In what area of your life or what ways are you maybe heading towards irrelevance? In what area of your life or what ways do you need to change?
How do you feel about change? Name a time in your life when you first feared change, but on the other side of it, found things better because of it.
The quote, "If you don't like change, you're going to like irrelevance even less" by George Couros, caused me to step back and reflect. If I always teach the same way, I'm not reaching all learners. While kids continue to change, I too must continue to change my approach to teaching. With technology constantly evolving, I feel like students have infinite information at their fingertips. One struggle for me has been keeping up with all the new social media outlets and games that students are talking about. With so much available, a feel like it's even more important to focus on social/emotional learning. I also need to continue to learn and implement new strategies to reach all students.
ReplyDeleteWhen transferring to a different school and a different grade level, I was filled with some anxiety. Once the year was started, I realized it was a great transition to make.
To me, the quote by Couros means that change cannot be avoided. We must be willing to be open to new ideas. I also think that it means people do not want to be unimportant.
ReplyDeleteIn my life right now, specifically in teaching, technology is something that cannot be avoided. I do not particularly like incorporating a lot of technology in my art classes. It is something that is changing all the time and is becoming more difficult not to use it. I need to accept that this change cannot be avoided and use technology within my classes. There are so many ways in which it can be incorporated but it’s hard to choose. There are so many things to always keep up with.
A time in my life when I feared change was when my husband and I moved back to our home town. I already had a job in my field and I felt there was a lot of uncertainty of moving and not knowing if I would be able to have that again. I waited 6 years before an art teaching position became available.
George Couros, in his TED Talk “#Our Voice”, shares his favorite quote, the one he says “drives him”. What does this quote mean to you?
ReplyDelete-I believe the quote means that change happens everyday and we as teachers need to be able to be flexible and willing to change with the time. Technology is becoming more and more popular now in the school system. However, I think it is a little more difficult to incorporate technology in math class. I am willing to try but I know it will not be easy as a lot of math is paper pencil and you need to see how students set up the problems to solve them. Again, I do not like change but after so many years of teaching math I have noticed it is important to try new things that are available. A couple years ago I switched from teaching special education math to general education middle school math. The change and the move to a new district was not easy. I am however glad that I made the change and am happy where I am at currently in my career.
In what area of your life or what ways are you maybe heading towards irrelevance? In what area of your life or what ways do you need to change?
How do you feel about change? Name a time in your life when you first feared change, but on the other side of it, found things better because of it.
Couros’s quote hits me as a warning about getting too comfortable. If I keep doing things the same way just because it worked before, I can slowly lose my connection with students and what they actually need.
ReplyDeleteThe area where I could become irrelevant the fastest is teaching computers, because technology is moving fast, and now AI has hit the scene and it is speeding everything up even more. When I was younger, it felt easy to keep up with the latest apps, trends, and new tech. As I have gotten older, my priorities have shifted, and even stepping away from that “always on top of it” mindset for what feels like a short time can put you behind.
The good part is it has been an interesting and fun challenge to get caught back up. It is a reminder that being a lifelong learner is not just a phrase, it is a choice. You lean in, you stay curious, and you keep adapting.
Change still makes me nervous at first. I like having a plan and feeling confident. Switching from 7th grade Geography to computers was a big one, and it honestly felt like starting over. But once I stopped trying to force my old style and shifted into more of a coach role, things got better. The class ran smoother, and I got to know students better because I was circulating and helping instead of lecturing. Looking back, I am glad I leaned into the change.
Couros's quote stresses the importance of change and how it is unavoidable. Things are constantly changing in one way or another and we must change with it. I don't mind change but too much change can be overwhelming. Back in my early days of teaching we had a huge turnover in administration. Every year there were new expectations and lesson plan guidelines that we were expected to follow. What we did one year was completely different from the following year and this went on for 5 years! Those were the hardest years for me but eventually I just learned to "roll with it". Another time in my life where I experienced drastic change was going from teaching 3rd grade to 5th/6th/7th science, social studies, & geography. The different age group and the content scared me and I was very unsure I would succeed. But I did what I could and by the end of that year I found it not to be so bad. It was a learning experience for everyone!
ReplyDeleteWhat does this quote mean to you?
ReplyDeleteWe see a lot of areas in the Midwest and South Dakota where people get complacent because we don't have the same competition as bigger areas. Or people get set in an "We've always done it that way" mindset. It irritates me. Just because we've always done it some way or it always HAS been -- doesn't mean it has to be. I will meet the quote with one I tell my kids a lot. "Traditions are rules from dead people. We can choose to keep the ones we like and we can shift or leave behind the ones that don't work for us any more. Some traditions came to be out of necessity or convenience. That doesn't mean they always have to be." I've been working on this with my family.
In what area of your life or what ways are you maybe heading towards irrelevance? In what area of your life or what ways do you need to change?
Fortunately I'm not heading toward irrelevance in any area to my knowledge, but that is because I am constantly pushing for advancement and adaptation. I love learning. I've learned over time that the world falling down around me is often a door or window opening to new opportunity I didn't understand was needed. Sometimes the worst thing you can imagine happening will bring the best blessings. Disaster and tragedy shouldn't be dismissed; however, good things can also come out of the darkness that you did not expect.
How do you feel about change? Name a time in your life when you first feared change, but on the other side of it, found things better because of it.
I have a specific night where I knew I had to get a divorce. I remember feeling like I was having a panic attack. I thought I was going to feel my heart explode from grief and the idea of taking three daughters out on my own into a world that is often cold and cruel to single mothers. I talked to a friend when I was wavering. My friend said: "If you don't leave, your daughters will end up in a marriage like this. This will be the life they'll likely end up in. Do you think that will be acceptable?"
I said -- absolutely not. And that was it. I left.
Obviously that's very personal. But it was huge. Change was unavoidable. I burned everything down because I had to in a moment when I wasn't really left a choice if I wanted a healthy environment for my children to develop in from there forward. So many things (good and bad) have happened since then in seven years. But I will tell you that I am a different human now. I wouldn't trade the changes for anything. Change is scary sometimes, but the other choice is stagnation and death. I agree with George.
His famous quote to me means that you have to keep an open mind on things. Technology and change are things that need to have an open mind about. Change can be very scary , but sometimes the other choice can be worse.
ReplyDeleteIn his TED Talk “#Our Voice,” George Couros references the quote, “If you don’t like change, you’re going to like irrelevance even less,” and to me that means growth isn’t optional, especially in education and coaching. If I resist change because it’s uncomfortable, I risk becoming disconnected from my students and athletes at West Lyon who are growing up in a completely different world than I did. I can head toward irrelevance if I rely too much on old-school methods, avoid new technology, or ignore the importance of student voice in my classroom/field.
ReplyDeleteI don’t naturally love change, but I’ve learned that the times I feared it most — like stepping into a bigger leadership role in coaching or changing from Special Education to Physical Education, ended up shaping me the most; once I embraced the responsibility, I found more purpose and stronger relationships, which proved that the discomfort of change is far better than the slow fade of staying the same.
Koury Kramer
DeleteWhat does this quote mean to me?: It means don't get too comfortable with what works. Especially when it comes to education/teaching.
ReplyDeleteI think I am on the brink of irrelevance when it comes to AI. I really don't love technology in the classroom ( I use it very little), but it seems that more and more teachers are using it.
One area I need to change in , is again, when it comes to AI. I should probably start using technology more in the classroom, even though I really don't love the idea of it.
I just experienced "fearing change" I was so comfortable teaching 8th grade health and was not happy about switching to 7th grade health. I feared I wouldn't be able to teach it as well as 8th grade- which was not the case at all. I did just as good of a job even though the topics are different.
If we refuse to change, we risk becoming disconnected from the very learners we are trying to serve. As an early childhood special education teacher, I sometimes see how I could head toward irrelevance if I cling to outdated strategies simply because they feel comfortable. For example, relying too heavily on structured, table-top tasks—like file folder activities—could limit student engagement and independence. I need to continue growing in areas like incorporating technology appropriately, expanding inclusive practices, and embracing more student voice and choice in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteChange can feel uncomfortable for me at first. I like routines and predictability. One time I feared change was when I shifted from primarily structured, seated activities to more hands-on, play-based learning. I worried about classroom management and whether students would still meet their goals. However, on the other side of that change, I found deeper engagement, more communication, and greater progress toward IEP goals. The classroom became more joyful and meaningful.
While change can be intimidating, I’ve learned that it often leads to growth. Avoiding change might feel safer in the moment, but embracing it keeps us relevant, reflective, and responsive to the needs of our students.
Change is constant. How we choose to respond to change is our way of choosing the outcome. Are we going to embrace it and grow with it or are we going to fight it and become irrelevant. While change can be intimidating at times, with it comes creativity, innovation and excitement. One of the times that I was nervous about change was when I ended up switching schools and grade levels. I was initially told that the position that was available was first grade but at the last minute, a current teacher decided to slide down into first grade and instead I would be the third grade teacher. At this point, I had been teaching first grade for around 8 years. It was fun and comfortable for me. However, when I decided to take the leap of faith and accept the change, it has been the best thing ever! I love teaching third grade and it has brought new and exciting ideas and reignited a passion for teaching and more change. Once you can embrace change and not fear it, it can take you to great places!
ReplyDeleteIn George Couros’ TED Talk, the quote that stood out to me what the one of the importance of using your voice to make a difference rather than remaining silent and becoming irrelevant. To me, this means that in my role as a high school School Counselor, it’s essential to actively advocate for students, staff, and families, even when it feels uncomfortable or outside of my usual routine. It’s a reminder that staying quiet or relying only on traditional approaches can limit the impact I have and may allow important opportunities for growth to pass by. I think I sometimes risk irrelevance when I rely too heavily on old systems or habits, like giving the same counseling lessons or approaches year after year without considering how student needs have changed. To stay relevant, I need to be more intentional about integrating new tools, strategies, and perspectives that resonate with students and families today, whether that’s technology, social-emotional support, or creative interventions. I feel cautiously optimistic about change. It can be intimidating, but I’ve learned that embracing it usually leads to growth and often makes me better in my role as a School Counselor. In transitioning to more student-centered lessons and interactive activities it can be scary, as change often can be. There can be fear that students and families may not respond well or that it would be difficult to manage. I found students were more engaged, lessons were more meaningful, and I was able to build stronger connections with students. This has reminded me that stepping into change, even with uncertainty, can create positive outcomes.
ReplyDeleteThere are always good changes and bad changes. Being able to roll with change is important. I see so much apathy in school now and I really work hard to reach even that student who never wants to do anything. Life will be so hard for them and I really want to reach them. I think speaking out about or up and teaching real life and successes and change and inovation and how the world is always finding new opportunities for our students is important for them to face and experience in order to grow. I don't want to be irrevelant. I want to an advocate, an inovator, I want my students to move forward and take risks and grow.
ReplyDeleteGeorge Couros, in his TED Talk “#Our Voice”, shares his favorite quote, the one he says “drives him”. What does this quote mean to you?
ReplyDeleteIn what area of your life or what ways are you maybe heading towards irrelevance? In what area of your life or what ways do you need to change?
How do you feel about change? Name a time in your life when you first feared change, but on the other side of it, found things better because of it.
Refusing to change is the quickest way to become obsolete and lose touch with the students. I am of two minds about change. Sometimes, I really enjoy it. What I don't like is change just for the sake of change. Great example? When some US educators and administrators decided that phonics wasn't really necessary to teach kids to read, and stopped doing it. And, kids struggled to learn to read. Turns out that changing a tried and true teaching method grounded in research and science wasn't the best plan. There is always something 'new' and 'different' and 'innovative' in education, but I think we need to be cautious and make sure it's actually innovative and effective before we jump right in.
I also think it's important to model, as a teacher, a responsible adult, and a good member of society, that I personally can change and learn new things. Nothing is a better example for high school students than a teacher who learns something new right along with them!
A time in my life where I've embraced change? Becoming a parent. That's a learn through innovation experience if anything is!
George Couros, in his TED Talk “#Our Voice”, shares his favorite quote, the one he says “drives him”. What does this quote mean to you?
ReplyDeleteThis quote makes a lot of sense to me. We have to be willing to change, because if we do what we have always done I think we will stay the same, or as the quote states, "become irrelevant". I think everyone needs to be willing to change and adapt in order for us to grow. As teachers if we are willing to change and learn, I think we will also help our students grow.
In what area of your life or what ways are you maybe heading towards irrelevance? In what area of your life or what ways do you need to change?
Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of technology, being a PE teacher I feel like I can kind of get away with not using technology. However, I do need to think of how I can make PE more engaging for my students and that may be to use more technology.
How do you feel about change? Name a time in your life when you first feared change, but on the other side of it, found things better because of it.
I do not like change at all! I like routine and knowing what is coming next. One time that I feared change was when I first got my job here in Hawarden. I was so scared and nervous to move to a new town, to begin a job where I didn't know anyone, but now I absolutely love where I am at! I love the kids that I teach and the community I live in. This is where I met my husband and where we have started raising our family.
To me, it means that change isn’t optional, especially in education. The world our students are entering is constantly evolving, and if we aren’t willing to adapt, we risk becoming disconnected from their reality. Education can’t stay stuck in the past while everything else moves forward.
ReplyDeleteOne area where I see myself potentially heading toward irrelevance is in how I assess student learning. Traditional worksheets, end-of-section questions, and even some of my older assessments don’t always reflect the skills students actually need today. With the rise of AI and easy access to information, I’ve realized I need to shift more toward critical thinking, discussion, and real-world application instead of simple recall. That’s an area where I know I need to continue to change and grow.
In reference to my feelings to change, at first, I usually resist it because it feels overwhelming and uncertain. A good example of this was when I was assigned to teach an ACT prep course, which was completely outside of my content area and something I initially knew very little about. It was intimidating and uncomfortable trying to learn new material while also figuring out how to effectively teach it to students. However, over time, I grew more confident, developed better strategies, and became much more comfortable with the content. Looking back, that experience reminds me that change is often uncomfortable at first, but necessary. On the other side of it, things are usually better—not just for me, but for my students.
The quote means that even though change is hard it is necessary or whatever it is that wee are trying to do, won't even matter soon. We need to change as the times change even though its uncomfortable or maybe even painful.
ReplyDeleteI need to keep growing my content delivery or it will head toward irrelevance. I have change a few times during my career but it needs to keep evolving as the students and the way they consume content changes.
Change is scary. But change is exciting! I feel it all. Without change life can be comfortable, but comfortable after too long can become boring. We need change, not just to stay relevant, but also to stay sane and passionate. I move to a new state midway through my career. This way terrifying. Here I am, living on the other side of that change and I am loving it! I have new friendships and opportunities that I never would have had before without thee risk of change!
To me, the quote “if you don’t like change, you’re going to like irrelevance even less” means that if I fail to adapt to change, my ways of thinking are going to become irrelevant. I have caught myself being resistant to change in the workplace, sometimes wondering if we changed too much that we are starting to regress. Personally, my parenting style has seen a few changes over the years. I remember thinking that there were certain things that I swore I would never do as a parent, that now that just have to laugh at. My outlook on life has changed significantly since having children of my own. Change can be difficult for me, I need time to wrap my mind around what the change will look like and what potential problems might arise as a result.
ReplyDeleteThe quote warns that past success doesn't guarantee future results. To me, it means that if I stop growing, I stop being useful.
ReplyDeleteI risk irrelevance when I stick to old routines for the sake of efficiency. Using the same materials every year ignores the changing needs of the people I work with. I need to be more willing to scrap what is familiar and find what works better today.
Change is draining because it disrupts my rhythm. I was anxious during a major professional shift a few years ago, fearing the loss of my routine. Looking back, that transition forced me to solve new problems and made me more capable than staying comfortable ever could have.