Brave New Horizons? This past week I had the chance to work with instructors and instructional leaders in a number of different situations. In our conversations a metaphor kept surfacing, one that intimated that we have all been a little at sea, we’ve buffeted the waves and are looking to make some course corrections. I’ve been doing some thinking about that, like all metaphors… it works until it doesn’t. The COVID 19 pandemic set off a storm that we are all experiencing. More specifically, at the college, it caused us to jump into action, with a call for “all hands on deck” and people put themselves to work: bailing, tending to the sails, and taking turns at the rudder. We saw managers and staff working side by side handing out computers, making phone calls to check on our students, solving tech and logistical issues, and finding innovative ways to deal with the situation (like running a program out of one person’s garage). As the violence of the storm settled a little and the waves quieted a bit, we’ve had a chance to do a bit of a re-assessment. We know that the storm isn’t over and we will be asked to make any number of adjustments and sacrifices going forward. Government cutbacks - both federally (LINC) and provincially - are not going away, enrollment numbers are uncertain, programs and campuses are being re-examined, and the way our courses and instruction might look going forward may be very different from the way it has been. Already the U of A has been discussing the possibility of keeping all classes online when start-up happens in the fall, and at NorQuest I have heard some talk of “hybrid” instruction, with face-to-face classes complemented with regular online teaching. People are trying to figure out their new roles, as instructors and leaders, in changing conditions. There’s been some tension as people try to reclaim their authority, figure out their ongoing responsibilities, and try to enlist (conscript?) others in visions for post-secondary learning. As such, there is some skillful negotiation and navigation that needs to take place in order to settle in to new routines. And we are also seeing dear colleagues leaving the college for both financial and programming reasons. Now I know that there is also some sadness for what was left behind. The comforts of the safe harbors that we have left are beginning to be a fond, nostalgic memory. However, this storm is testing our mettle. It is helping us to discover new abilities, as we adapt to online and distance programming. We have been given the opportunity to work together and determine what will be required of us going forward, as we set out towards new horizons. But before we get too much further, it may be worthwhile to take a moment and acknowledge the work and investment that has already happened. We need to value and validate those around us and acknowledge their efforts and commitment. Most of our students have been patient resilient and accommodating as we shifted our programming. Our colleagues have been supportive and encouraging, sharing materials, innovations, and ideas. Our leaders have been willing to jump to the emergent needs, and take on unpleasant and difficult tasks. So while last week I focused my thoughts on perseverance, resilience and thankfulness, this week, I hope to make a point of saying “THANK YOU!” to the individuals and groups I will be working with. Thank you to security, the cleaning group, the staff, the administrative professionals, the faculty, the instructional leaders, the leadership and management groups and the executive. As we survey the horizon, anticipate what may lie ahead, and start making preparations for our journey in the coming months we will need to draw on each other’s strengths and work together.
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AuthorJeff Kuntz Ph.D. ImagesExcept where indicated, images used in the blog posts are personal photos, images from NorQuest College or images from Pixabay. Pixabay is a vibrant community of creatives, sharing copyright free images, videos and music. https://pixabay.com/ Archives
March 2024
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