The Power Of Stories For Understanding Change

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The power of stories for understanding change

You probably remember a favorite childhood story or fairy tale — a story that evokes wonder, amusement, nostalgia, or curiosity — that you enjoyed in the moment and have always remembered. Storytelling and stories like this have been at the center of human experience and connection since the dawn of time. They help us understand and document our lives, relate to one another, and learn. As a district professional learning leader, I’ve come to embrace the power and value of storytelling as an underused method of monitoring change efforts. Educators often examine multiple data points when monitoring and measuring the impact of our work. Indeed, the Standards for Professional Learning (Learning Forward, 2022) include an Evidence standard under the transformational processes frame, because applying evidence

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References

Hall, G.E., Dirksen, D.J., & George, A.A. (2006). Measuring implementation in schools: Levels of use. SEDL.

Hord, S.M., Rutherford, W.L., Huling, L., & Hall, G.E. (2006). Taking charge of change. SEDL.

Killion, J. (2017). Assessing impact: Evaluating professional learning (3rd ed.). Corwin & Learning Forward.

Learning Forward. (2022). Standards for Professional Learning.

Nelsestuen, K. & Smith, J. (2020). Empathy interviews. The Learning Professional, 41(5), 59-62.

Nadira Singh

Professional Learning and Coaching Coordinator at Gwinnett County Public Schools, GA | + posts

Nadira Singh serves as a professional learning and coaching coordinator for Gwinnett County Public Schools, Georgia. She has partnered with Learning Forward to serve as a Learning Forward Academy coach for its Class of 2024.