The Most Dangerous Saying in Education

with Terry Heick

I was talking (tweeting) with Mark Barnes this evening, and he mentioned the idea of ​​challenging existing forms and processes. Then someone tweeted the picture above – a quote that was supposedly made up Rear Admiral Grace Hopperaccording to image source globalnerdy.com–and I was happy and I favorited and saved and blogged.

“We’ve always done it this way” means heritage and tradition, which can be good. But it’s also one of the most dangerous phrases we can use—and this danger extends to education, too.

I talk a lot disruptive teaching again a paradigm shift in teaching and learning not because I’m inherently rebellious, or some kind of academic anarchist. I’ve just been teaching long enough–in a lot of different places–to see that this idea of ​​progress–and little repetition–of data and sharing and ‘opening our classroom door’ isn’t enough.

That’s not the case bad, It not only reflects the importance and urgency of our collective challenge. At best, students come to school to play a game and be thought of as smart and successful; at worst, they become disruptive and resist and just end the year because they don’t see the benefit in what they are doing.

We must create laws that will force students to come to school, and it is often the students who need school the most who were not ‘made’ for it; that is, the school is designed for students who study with strong writers who can manage their work while learning to play well with others.

Changing lives often comes from relationships with teachers rather than the power of the curriculum. But talking about mobile learning, self-directed learning, new content areas, adaptive learning, or valuing questions over answers can kill conversations in school and cause polite smiles from teachers, especially because those are not the rules of the game they know.

The problem with a safe way of teaching is that it will produce nothing but what we always have. Without doing things completely differentwe can rely heavily on some kind of growth. This is not a call for chaos, but for the courage to make mistakes.

The phrase, ‘We’ve always done it this way’ symbolizes static thinking and resistance to innovation, showing an unwillingness to question established ways or consider new ideas. This mindset often stifles creativity, limits progress, and prevents growth by clinging to old habits simply because they are familiar.

It can also create an environment where change is seen as a threat rather than an opportunity for improvement, discouraging people from challenging the status quo or exploring alternative solutions. Over time, this rigid adherence to tradition can lead to missed opportunities, reduced efficiency, and lack of flexibility in a rapidly developing world. To encourage innovation and continuous improvement, it is important to replace this mindset with one that values ​​flexibility, embraces change, and encourages forward-thinking approaches.

‘Testing’ for students (because that’s what’s happening anyway). Dream, experiment, and collect data.

Do something different this year.

Not so – and unthinkingly –do what you are told.

Light a new path.

Skillfully, creatively, and consistently shake up your department, grade level, school, or district to not only be the best version of their existing degree, but to become something they never thought possible.

The same hope you have for your students.

The Most Dangerous Saying in Education