What: My October calendar reflects the 30-minute interviews I had with each principal. Several had to be rescheduled. Out of the 31 principals, I was not able to connect to four of them. The interviews were held in their office. On three occasions, I was invited to tour the classrooms and see firsthand what they were talking about in their discussion of technology's role in their school's mission.

Before I began this task, I had the superintendent bless the event during a principal's meeting. I felt his word was  important to assure that my effort would be well received.  I prepared the principals for my meeting with them by e-mailing three guiding questions for them to think about.

So What: I selected this artifact to show how I had grown in my understanding of change within an organization. I believe that change begins with the leadership, with those who have been given the authority to lead the school. In this process to achieve a shared vision, their ownership would begin when they felt their voice was heard and their input was valued.

This artifact is important because it connects my time to my work. Meeting with the principal's face-to-face was necessary. An e-mail reply to my three questions would have not revealed tone or emotion. The personal touch also impressed the value of shaking hands, putting a face with the office staff, and showing that the district office played a viable role in the school's success.