Opening Argument

First, what is school renewal and why is it important to invest time writing about school issues? I coined the term "school renewal" based on an overabundance of terminology that is used in educational and business circumstances to describe change. Change is an oft-used word that has lost it's intrinsic power with overuse so I got to thinking about what change in schools really looks at and the word "renewal" kept popping into my head.
Renewal intimates that change is intrinsic and generated organically within schools but assumes that the human resources are overtaxed and require some objectivity. While I would like to believe that schools have the capability to change themselves, I have come to know that schools need a push from external sources that can ask questions and help people take command of their own situations.
There is a lot of buzz in educational circles about the notion of professional learning communities. This idea is packed with power but leaves poorly prepared schools with a false sense of confidence that they can make immediate and lasting change. Sadly, positive and lasting change takes time and schools need to know this. Further, once they know this, they must believe this and invest in this.
I am an educational consultant and provide these services to schools. I taught in poor, urban schools in Los Angeles for nearly 10 years and am nearing tenure at a university that puts teachers into the most challenging schools in Los Angeles. I never thought I would write a blog as it seems a bit trite and self-serving. That said, I have written several articles and two books so this seems like a natural progression and an informal way for me to communicate my thoughts to myself and anyone motivated to read them. I will be investing time thinking about my work for my own sanity. I hope it helps.