Finding the Moving Cheese (A Tribute to Alabama and to Spencer Johnson)

I recently presented in a session at the MEGA Conference in Mobile, AL.  The title of this particular session was: "Achievement Services—Building Common Sense into Common Core.” (BTW - Great Group of Attendees! They were so patient and kind in spite of technical difficulties beyond my control.)  During this session I used the analogy of "Finding the Cheese," as portrayed in Spencer Johnson's famous book, Who Moved My Cheese, to that of "Finding the Common Core Cheese" as our current educational cheese, current Alabama State Standards and Testing, is quickly fading or getting moved. 

First of all, I'd like to say the "Alabama Cheese Mountain!" has been great!  We have many successes and celebrations that could be made throughout the state because of the accomplishments of our educators and students.  Far too few people ever talk about the great cheese mountain of success that we have put into place during the past several years under NCLB.  I had the privilege of working as a teacher and school improvement specialist in the state of Alabama when NCLB came to be.   I don't remember any of us being super excited about it.  But we did what we had to do to step up and show the world education was a priority among our educational professionals in this state even if we didn't always agree with the mandates (especially the 100% by 2014.)  I am so proud of all that has been accomplished in our state.

And just when we think we have conquered the "Cheese Mountain," we wake up one morning to find "SOMEONE MOVED OUR CHEESE!"  How could they!  How dare they!  (Sounding a little like Hem now!)  But yes, our beautiful cheese is gone.  We now have to Scurry (Pun Intended!) to find the new Cheese.  There is a lot of uncertainty in the maze as I talk with educational professionals across the country, and recently (like yesterday) across the State of Alabama.  But don't allow your fear of new cheese keep you Hemmed (Pun Intended!) in a corner of the maze with no Cheese!  Start Sniffing (Pun Intended) out today and make your way through the maze.  Enjoy the maze as you travel.  You will be amazed at all you discover when you allow the journey to teach you.  Not every maze is boring.  Some mazes are amazing. You just have to take the time to learn as you travel toward your new "Cheese!"

There are some powerful "Cheese Nuggets" that we can find along the way to the new mountain of Cheese.  Here are some of the "Cheese Nuggets" that I have observed on my 2-yr trip to the "NEW CHEESE!"

1. While it is natural to be skeptical of "NEW CHEESE" (ex. Common Core), we must realize that change is inevitable, and we do our children a great injustice when we refuse to move because of suspicion.   Even if the new cheese (i.e. Common Core) is not the best solution, it is a moving solution.  Our old cheese is not adequate, and staying with it will only make us weak and sickly while others are moving forward gaining strength from their perseverance.
2. We do not have to hunt the "NEW CHEESE" alone.  There are many states and teachers who have already jumped in the maze and begun discovering new things about Common Core.  I encourage you all to check out the work done in states like New York (EngageNY), and North Dakota (Complete Packets on ELA and Math), and Illinois (Informational Text Strategies) as well as other entities like The Charles Dana Center (aka CCSS Toolbox) (Sample Scope and Sequence as well as released assessment samples) and MARS.  There are many new sites becoming available daily.  LiveBinders.com (Search Common Core) has many resources compiled by educators from all over the country.  The nuggets are there for the taking.  Get them while they are available before someone moves the cheese!
3. Don't worry so much about doing the wrong thing that you do nothing.  We have all known for years that there are many variables in education.  It is difficult to pinpoint exactly which variable has the most positive (or negative for that matter) effect on student learning.  Just jump in the maze.  It will come to you.  The scent of the cheese will grow stronger as you move toward it.  You will know through your progress monitoring if what you are doing actually works.  
4. Don't wait around for the road map to the cheese!  It may take years for others to figure out what exactly it is that will be measured.  Just take the standards.  Unwrap - deconstruct - dissect - or whatever you choose to call it -  the standards today.  Look at the verb-noun (actually direct object) relationships!  Build your testing blueprints for your units.  Don't wait for someone to tell you exactly what to do.  Do what comes natural for you! Sniff it out! Scurry to it!  Haw until you get the right path! But whatever you do, DON'T say HEMMED up waiting for the cheese to fall back in your path! (Pun Definitely Intended!)

For those of you who may be a little bit uncertain of all the references to the PUNS!  I encourage you to read the book: Who Moved My Cheese, by Spencer Johnson (1998).  His book can bring perspective to the methods in which we deal with change (like a new set of standards).  It certainly helped me relate in my life how I can decide to deal with my maze of moving cheese!

S. B. Odom, PhD