As I was composing my speech for exhibitions, I was reflecting on the change that I have experienced this year as a result of my AR work, readings, reflective blogging, and class discussions; I composed the following lines:

 “I am an agent of change who will not be satisfied with mediocrity anymore. I will hold myself and my students to a higher standard.”

To me these are not just words but a new standard I have set for myself and for my students.  To be an agent of change is one whose acts align with her values. When I value student learning, my actions and assessments must match. I must demonstrate to not only my students, but to my colleagues, peers, and community, the beliefs I hold true. If I give students worksheets, but value constructivism, I must reexamine the manner in which I am teaching.

Additionally, to be an agent of change, you are not acting alone, but the acts you do commit speak loudly.  Listening to a colleagues feedback and struggles, attending conferences to extend your learning, proposing new initiatives to address problems in your school, all of these are ways that one can demonstrate to others that she wants to seek out and embrace change.  Agents of change do not always wait for change to happen to them, but make change happen as well.

 Actions are not the sole focus of the change agents. Words resonate loudly affecting not only those placed directly in the path of the sound, but from through the passing on of what others have witnessed. Whether the students in your classroom are hearing the lessons and challenges one is placing on their shoulders, or the students are relaying the lessons learned from a class to their parents, aunts and uncles, and then parents spreading the messages to local community leaders to state leaders and national leaders, the words of agents of change create a ripple effect that is everlasting.

With great change comes great responsibility.  To shoulder the responsibility of words, actions, and higher standards, does not come without challenges.  The struggle to remain open to the possibilities, to be a continual learner and example of life long learning, transparent with successes and challenges, is a daunting force.  It is important to consider that one becomes an agent of change for her to consider both the benefits and the challenges.  But in order to create change, one must remember the words of Gandhi “be the change you want to see in the world.”  Be the agent of change you want to be. Be bold, be a leader, be innovative, be a listener, be reflective, be a motivator, and be the change you would want for your children, and your children’s children-Do not be satisfied with mediocrity anymore.