Positive change management, using Mindset Training to empower staff.

1. Leadership with Vision & Innovation
Through Action, Can Observe that
Learning from Our Cultural Heritage
Helps Our Educational System Thrive!
Ann-Marie Clements, M.S. Ed.
Vancouver Island University
7 min Presentation
CIEL 4 Program
July 3rd, 2015

2. Nepotism? or is this WASTA?
 Connections or pull = “it’s not what you know, but who you know.”
 Western countries = more hidden
 Arabic & Asian countries = more apparent.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIl_lVbDqTE (0:14 – 2:20 )
 CEO attending PSU
 Kuwait Civil ID
 Buy & transfer a car
 Kuwait Driver’s License
 “Bean Counters” help make
things happen.

3. Mindset & Leadership Training
 Scanning my new cultural environment & learn to listen carefully
 Gave 2 Mindset trainings to staff & continuing reinforced training
throughout the year.
 “Top Down” to “Bottom Up” staff mentality shift


4. Used 1st of the 4 Forms of Inquiry
- Storytelling about Asian & Western experiences (Canada, China, Italy &
U.S.A.)
- Goal for staff to want to explore new options in Ed. & shift moral values.

5. Used 2nd of the 4 Forms of Inquiry
Appreciative
- Inserted the “Creative New Blood” assertiveness & transformational
change
- Used 4 Stages of Processes;
* Discovery – old technology, old teaching methods
* Dream – new technology, new teaching methods
* Design – new training, software & hardware
* Destiny – “Make it Happened” to keep staff motivated

6. Continued: 2nd of the 4 Forms of Inquiry
Appreciative
- Pushed for staff to receive ICDL (Int’l Computer Driving License) training,
due to weaknesses with computer technology skills
- Lead Teachers to ask their teachers for input on researching software
- Gave MovieMaker & Kizoa slideshow program training from Elem. IT
personnel
- Reinforced learning by giving all staff homework on slideshow presentation
to show our department on last day of school
- New IT Manager & myself collectively worked to create New Tech
Classroom
- Hardware & software re-evaluated and updated or replaced.
- Asked for teachers input on murals for halls & outside walls
- Promoted my Teacher Assistants into new teaching positions.
- All classrooms painted with their classroom name colors (KG1 Blue –
pastel blue) to create a cleaner & visually stimulating new classroom

7. Asked the 3rd of the 4 Forms of Inquiry
Critical or Problem-Solving
- Used 4 Standards on my teachers:
* Accuracy
* Effectiveness
* Coherence
* Improvability
- Used “Bottom-Up” management style to give responsibility to staff
- Initially attended all 3 groups (CDC, KG1 & KG2) meetings.
- VP attended CDC & KG2 group due to rapport with staff
- Problem KG1 Group, I attended the remainder of the year to focus on
change
- Walked into classrooms for unannounced observations in KG1
classrooms.
- Teachers shadow other classrooms during breaks to learn new strategies
- Teachers had to write out improvements to incorporate into their
classrooms
- Monitored progress of teachers & their assistants & instilled “visual rubric”.

8. Asked the 4th of the 4 Forms of Inquiry
Reflective
- Initially asked staff what was good & bad about their school
- Staff initially had many more negatives than positive comments
- End of the year, staff was much more positive due to Mindset changes in
place
- Reiterated my storytelling of the schools I’ve experienced & taught around
the world, my & ILE readings & how we can learn from them to
change our school
- Taught Lead Teachers to ask 2 or more teachers to end each weekly group
meeting with discussing various teaching or behavioral techniques that
worked in their classrooms
- I asked for their input to show respect and to create more trust

9. TRUST
 Open liberal formal educational training @ Portland State University &
Washington State University
 VP = daily manager of the staff
 Principal = Innovator of Change
 Firewomen = “Putting Out Fires” daily
 New Yorker honesty & Democratic strategies
 World Traveler whose open to new cultures, languages and religions
 Low absences (2 days only) and no lateness = reliability &
consistency
 Willingness to learn about the Kuwait Education system & Arabic
culture

10. Principles of Learning – Similarities
Between
Aboriginals & Kuwaiti’s
 Long history of their heritage and taught their offspring’s
 Living with extended family members in large groups
 Extended family names
 Family respected, within social structure & individual ID
 Wasta is used because of trust for their own people
 Families are very private & protected
 Women are protected from the outside influences.

11. Principles of Learning – Similarities
Between
Aboriginals & Kuwaiti’s
 Awareness of their religious philosophy is very
important
Explore their identify, patience & spiritually meditate
 Acquiring their own historical education is important
Telling group stories about local, regional & political
issues
Provide leadership to their people
Environmentally can live off their land
 Local food customs are important

12. Spirals of Learning
 Scanning - What are my teachers & students learning?
 Focusing – What needs to change?
 Developing a Hunch – Lack of tangibles, tech &
leadership
 New Professional Training – Teachers, Assistants, Staff &
Admin
 Taking Action – Wasta to make sure improvements
occurred
 Checking –Keep monitoring attitudes of staff and the
improvements in; technology, teaching & behavioral
methods used. Make sure it fits well with remainder of
the school & their different departments.

13. TRANSFER OF INFORMATION

14. WHAT DID I LEARN?
 Cherish our historical backgrounds both within our countries &
ancestral origins are important to realize the injustices of pollution,
poverty & wars.
 Get staff ready for change both psychologically & through appropriate
training.
 Learn about other educational “Best Practices” techniques from around
the world & incorporate it within your program.
 Nepotism is everywhere & should be used to advance your good
causes
 Educate administrators, parents, staff to create the best learning
environment for our “clients” the students to improve their future.
 Education is always changing, so we must continuously using the
Spiral of Learning to; scan, focus, develop a hunch, obtain new
professional trainings, take action & recheck.
 Visionary & innovative leaders who understand school politics, cultures
and their people will advance their school forward & make a significant
difference for their staff and especially for their students & community.