Page 19 - The Edge - Summer 2016

“The challenge

with Generation Z
is that if the way

we engage them
is not adjusted to

a language they
understand, we

likely will lose that
generation before

they leave school.”
— Orville Blackman,
Dean of the Angell Snyder
School of Business,
Ottawa University

GENERATION Z within the school, enlist the support of informal leaders who

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 could short-circuit the vision, empower assigned leaders of
projects to make decisions within set guidelines, establish a
clear communication channel including the establishment of
Blackman recommended several steps to implement change communication portals, and publicly affirm the work of the
within a school district or for an individual school. “Create volunteer force, thereby giving them legitimacy to engage
a sense of urgency, which doesn’t mean creating fear,” he constituents,” Blackman said.
said. “Present an honest, clear understanding of the state of He urged strategies to accomplish short-term projects that
affairs. Explain budgetary implications of decisions that will be begin to show progress and lead to achieving desired outcomes
made. Outline opportunities that may result from change, and of change.
challenges resulting from failure to change.” “Show the constituents that you are serious about change
Next, establish a guiding coalition – a think tank – to by adjusting and/or removing systems, structures and policies
move your school to the next level. “Include superintendents, that do not fit with the new vision,” Blackman said. “Hire and
principals and teachers, district and local school business promote people who are capable of implementing the vision.
officials, facilities management and staff, transportation Use new language and processes only.”
management and staff, nutrition management and staff, high Blackman noted that Generation Z was born in the digital
school students who are part of Generation Z, parents and era. “They no longer tolerate things we tolerated,” he said.
community members, and leaders of such organizations as the “They want you to listen to them. More needs to be done to
YMCA and the Rotary Club,” Blackman said. improve student achievement. The non-inclusion of all critical
Then, Blackman said, invite the coalition to a strategic players in the life of the school is the exclusion of important
planning retreat to “establish priorities, create achievable time data that can help us achieve fundamental change education.
lines, identify leaders for each initiative and empower them That requires everyone beyond teachers, principals and the
with freedom to act, encourage imagination and creativity, and education staff – bus drivers, nutritionists, custodial staff, the
be willing to break the old mold and create a new path.” business staff to be at the strategic planning table. The CEO
It’s important to communicate your vision and the roles on the business side and the superintendent and principal on
that stakeholder groups are expected to play in the change the education side should collaborate to bless and facilitate
process, and to report progress on a monthly basis. Blackman the implementation of realistic, effective cultural change. We
recommended holding town halls and small group meetings have a generation of people who are relying on us. We have
to facilitate dialog about the vision. “We must use social to change or we are going to lose them. These folks in schools
media and mobile media to engage parents, students, and the today will be coming to work for you tomorrow.”
community in the discussion,” he said.
A major challenge is getting past the barriers. “Analyze Orville Blackman, Dean of the Angell Snyder School of Business,
processes and procedures to remove unnecessary red tape Ottawa University, can be reached at: orville.blackman@ottawa.edu

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