Where Am I Now?

Part 3: Setting Goals - Instrumental and Missional Thinking

When setting goals, there are two ways to approach the verbalization of these goals:
instrumental and missional. Instrumental puts the emphasis on the tool that will be used to
make the change. Missional statements are more about what change is being attempted and
tend to be independent of the tool that will be used to get there. As such, instrumental tends to
be more practical, while missional tends to be more philosophical. In the goals I set below, I
tried to demonstrate my view of how instrumental and missional goal setting support each other.
Missional is the broad goal and instrumental are the steps been taken to achieve the goal. For
me, only having a missional goal leads to no action and only having an instrumental goal leads
to action with no purpose. One way is the map, the other the car. Both equally important.

Short Term Goals:

1. Broaden the scope of STEM education at my school to include hard and soft
skills. (mission thinking)
a. Use project and/ or problem based learning opportunities in the
classroom that practice the skills needed for post-secondary STEM paths.
(instrumental)
b. Use field trips and collaborations with various industry partners to
emphasis the diversify of skills and careers STEM embodies. (instrumental)
2. Improve inclusion of all students in order to increase their freedom and choices.
(mission)
a. Share specific programs and scholarships for students in at-risk
groups. (instrumental)
b. Celebrate and support holidays of minority groups. (instrumental)

Long Term Goals:

1. Broaden the scope of STEM education at my school to include hard and soft
skills. (mission)
a. Increase the number of STEM electives through increasing the
number of Project Lead the Way courses. (instrumental)
2. Help develop an adaptive learning environment that meets the needs of students.
(mission)
a. Develop strong working relationships with co-workers.
(instrumental)
b. Celebrate and support diversity in teaching techniques amongst
teaching staff during department and/ or course team meetings. (mission/
instrumental)
3. Improve inclusion of all students in order to increase their freedom and choices.
(mission)
a. Evaluate personal and systematic actions/ procedures that may
dissuade at-risk groups from being fully involved. (mission/ instrumental)