World Economic Forum

The Importance of Storytime

A Chance to Make History: What Works and What Doesn't in Providing an Excellent Education for All

The field of education is receiving a lot of attention right now.  Education budgets are being cut as states try to balance their fiscal houses, assessment scores of US students are being compared to those of the rest of the world, and the President spoke about education reform in the State of the Union.  Online course options are ever expanding, charter schools are competing for students and sustainability, and movements such as StudentsFirst are launching to significant media coverage.  Wendy Kopp recently authored, A Chance to Make History an interesting book from her perspective as a leader with Teach for America.  The Lottery and Waiting for Superman are now mainstream films that are part of our daily discussions.

Many great ideas are being surfaced in this period of high anxiety and a collective consciousness towards education.  Other brilliant causes within the education sector are being left in the shadows.  A specific reason for success and failure may not exist but there are certainly clues.  I was struck by the comments of Nicholas Kristof in his interview with Randi Zuckerberg at the the World Economic Forum in Davos.  When asked how groups should distinguish themselves from other similar movements, he suggested that humanitarian groups needed to do great work on the ground but also practice the art of storytelling.

What is your story?

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Who to Invite?

I have heard lots of invitations from speakers at the World Economic Forum to ‘join their cause.’  This feels remote and challenging.  I am not all that motivated to join based on just the facts they are reciting.  If I understood what these causes believe and I shared their belief then the causes and I are joining efforts.  It is now a shared experience.  The relationship is established on a totally different paradigm.  I do not have to do all the work.  It is a joint responsibility to engage our respective talents to benefit those who share our belief.

Are you just handing out lots of invitations to people to join your cause or are you encourage those that share your beliefs to partner?  

Virtual Conference

A fun Friday strategy.  When professional development money gets tight or schedules do not allow you to attend a conference, consider following the conference using social media.  I have collected the highlights of national and regional conferences by using the conference hashtag.  As an example, I do not anticipate being invited to Davos for the World Economic Forum this year but using #WEF or #davos I am able to view real-time postings from the summit and its auxiliary events.  I found links to a number of video clips and resources that were of great interest and value.  Best of all, I was able to do it on my time.  Although I would have loved the journey to Davos it saved me a couple days of travel and thousands of dollars.