Michael Fullan, dean of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto, will present "Leading in a Culture of Change" at Syracuse University on Oct. 31 as part of the School of Education's annual Ganders Lecture. The presentation will begin at 4:30 p.m. in Maxwell Auditorium and is free and open to the public.
"Michael Fullan is a giant among North American education reformers," says Don Ely, professor emeritus in the School of Education. "His focus is on the implementation of innovations in K-12 schools rather than on the diffusion and adoption of elements of the change process."
In his book, "The New Meaning of Educational Change" (Teachers College Press, 2001), Fullan affirms that "We have to know what change feels like from the point of view of the teacher, student, parent and administrator if we are going to understand the reactions of individuals."
Engaged in education reform through training, consulting and evaluation of change projects around the world, Fullan is recognized as an international authority on the topic. "Dissatisfaction with and interest in educational reform is a worldwide phenomenon," he continues in "The New Meaning." "Although most of the material I draw on comes from North America, any discussion with those involved in education reform in other countries quickly reveals that the nature of problems and the principles of success and failure are common around the world."
Long-term projects Fullan is involved with include the Learning Consortium partnership with school districts in the Toronto region, the Consortium on Educational Change in Illinois, the partnership with the Aga Khan University in Pakistan, work with the Soros Foundation in Eastern Europe, exchanges with the World Bank on reform projects in many countries, and the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy in England in which targeted improvements are being attempted in 20,000 schools simultaneously.
Among his extensive writings are books including the "Change Forces" (Taylor & Francis, 1994 and 1998 and Routledge, 2002) trilogy and "Leading in a Culture of Change" (John Wiley & Sons, 2001). He also co-authored the "What's Worth Fighting For?" trilogy (Teachers College Press, 1996, 1997 and 1998).
Fullan is a recipient of the Canadian Association of Teacher Educators Award of Excellence.
The Ganders Distinguished Lecture Series was established in 1986 by the daughters of Harry S. and Elva K. Ganders in memory of their parents. Harry Ganders was the dean of the School of Education from 1930-52. Each year, the lecture series brings a leading scholar and speaker to campus to promote dialogue on current educational issues.
Past Ganders Distinguished Lecturers include Courtland Lee, professor of counselor education at the University of Maryland-College Park (2001); Ted Sizer, founder and chairman of the Coalition of Essential Schools (2000); and Molly Corbett Broad '62, president of the University of North Carolina System (1999).
