What’s my Why
Introduction
This proposal is for everyone who makes Hillcrest School what it is, teachers, administrators, and parents. As part of our innovation plan, we’re looking to bring in GoGuardian and boost our broadband network. Here, you’ll find the reasons why this change matters, how we will make it happen, and what it means for our community. Our goal is to inspire, address what’s important to all of you, and show why now is the perfect time to move forward together through the digital world.
Part A: Why, How, What
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Why – We believe that every student deserves a safe, and innovative digital learning environment where teachers feel confident using technology, students remain engaged, and prepared for a rapidly changing digital world.
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How – We make this real by using GoGuardian, improving broadband, and supporting our teachers. With clear policies and hands-on help, teachers can blend technology into learning in a way that truly works.
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What – We prepare teachers and students to thrive in a digital age, and create responsible learners in a connected learning environment supported by reliable infrastructure.
Part B: Reflection on Urgency
Simon Sinek (2009) emphasizes that people don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it. That idea really resonates with me as a teacher. Our Why statement makes it clear that this change is about more than just adding a classroom monitoring tool, it’s about creating a future-ready learning environment where teachers feel empowered and students stay focused and engaged. I’ve seen how technology can overwhelm some teachers (including myself), especially when they feel like they can’t control distractions. By pairing GoGuardian with improvements to the schools internet, we’re showing our stakeholders that this plan isn’t just a quick fix. It’s a sustainable, forward-looking effort that will help teachers feel more confident and parents feel reassured that we are setting our students up for success.
Kotter (2011) reminds us that real change requires establishing a sense of urgency. The urgency here is simple: our students already live in a digital world. If our classrooms don’t keep pace—both in the tools we use and the reliability of the infrastructure that supports them—our students’ learning experiences will suffer. I’ve watched lessons get derailed because the internet failed or because students slipped into distractions online, and those are the barriers we must remove. By addressing both GoGuardian implementation and stronger broadband access, we’re not just adopting new technology; we’re building the conditions that make real innovation possible. This shifts the conversation from whether we should innovate to how quickly we can put these systems in place so that every learner at Hillcrest has the chance to thrive in a connected, supportive environment.
As a 10th grade World History and 8th grade U.S. History teacher, I know I have to model this change in my own classroom first. My students watch how I use technology, and if I can show them that these tools make learning more engaging and less frustrating, they’ll be more open to it too. The same is true for my fellow teachers when they see GoGuardian working in my class, it creates a ripple effect. Change always feels a little uncomfortable at first, but when people can see the purpose behind it and the real benefits for students, the urgency becomes obvious. That is the future I want for our school.
References
Brereton, E. (2023). GoGuardian supports station-rotation and blended learning. EdTech
Magazine.
Kotter, J. (2011). The heart of change [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NKti9MyAAw
Kotter, J. (2011). Leading change: Establish a sense of urgency [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Yfrj2Y9IlI
Sinek, S. (2009, September). How great leaders inspire action [Video]. TED.