Chapter 4. Being a Contribution!
Similar to the lady and man talking about the starfish on the shore, this happens throughout our daily lives. We make things seem like obstacles. Rather than thinking about the quality of saving the lives of the starfish, many think about the quantity of the task at hand being so extreme that they assimilate strenuous work that will be difficult.
Similar to the his household dinner, my parents would ask my brothers and I how are day way, but then move further into details. They commonly engraved in our minds to be productive. I think this was because throughout their childhood, their families had struggled and they wish the opposite for us, their children.
As far as making a game out of life with rules and challenges, I currently am setting rules or more personal goals to make 1 videocast per week. The videocasts are on Spanish lessons, which will be placed on an anytime, anywhere, any place learning platform.
So now thinking of the psychological aspect and the discipline of spirit, the contribution to this online learning platform will aid students that are sick, need extra practice and it will even show other faculty members and district administrators HOW we can use technology more effectively. Our district is very lucky. Our superintendent is a strong advocate for Web 2.0 and 21st century learning.
Similar to getting caught up in the beauty of music, I am starting to get caught up in the natural effectiveness that these reusable learning objects (RLOs) can have in retaining information and applying it throughout the year.
Rather than accomplishing this for every class immediately (imagining there being too many starfish for one person), I will fully apply this to one class and see it’s effect (I’ll start by saving 1 life).
Today specifically, I’m creating online graded practice via quia.com.
Chapter 5. Leading from Any Chair: We’re all leaders. How can we make a difference in the people will influence each day? How do we listen to those who help us make our dreams become reality?
As far as leading from every chair, I think of a fellow principal and assistant principal where I teach. They are more authoritative than authoritarian. Each of them have the abilities to let you know when they mean business, but more importantly they give you their belief in your success and are quick to praise what you do well. This is not to say that they don’t reflect. They often pose questions to get you back into the game on certain levels. As for being in my chair
Demonstrating my true passion for teaching will exhibit more success than controlling them.
The spiral is so true. We often do tend to take ourselves very seriously, most commonly in work. If a discussion is ever heated, I’ll tell me class, “Remember rule #6.” Now I’m also sure that they’ll say that to me, in which I should respond with a smile. If you were to hear, “Do not make one mistake. And if you do...a 500 pound elephant is going to fall on your head.” What would you reaction be? Mine would be a smile. Sometimes I take myself too seriously with life. I currently am thinking of how I take myself too seriously with my students as well. Now, I don’t want to go the opposite way of the spectrum by any means. I want to stay close to have high expectations through appropriate scaffolding, etc. Nevertheless, I will hang a plaque in my room that says, “Remember rule #6.”
Although this may sometimes be a challenge, I will try to push my pride aside in hostile situations, if I have even the slightest amount of fault. Also, I will try to have the best sex ever. I will try to have the best _________ ever. Currently, I’m trying to have the best DAY ever. I’m up early after working on my thesis until about 1:00am last night. I’m trying to kick butt with multiple objectives, such as these blogs/posts. Then I’m off to the gym and back to the thesis before meeting up with family to watch USA vs. England world cup soccer match. Red, White, & Blue! While doing this, I’m trying to continue the game of making challenges for myself. The last one was to see how much I could add to the blog in 45 minutes time. I would spend no less, but indeed a few more minutes reading over the posts before submitting them and leaving the house for a bit.
Wk2 Post of our Choice:
Zander TED video on leadership:
The conductor of an orchestra doesn’t make a sound. He depends on his ability to make other people powerful. My job would be to awaken possibility in other people. What can we do about the students being so anxious so that they’re not afraid of taking risks. When you give an A the relationship is transformed. When theres a breakup in the relationship, you are not giving that person an A. HOW FASCINATING! Rule #6 = Is it easy? No. It’s like Gravity. The song of possibility:
My notes: The energy, focus and goal is phenomenal by Zander. I will definitely try to emulate him. His movement, awareness, goofiness and comfort in front of an audience. He can connect with the audience very well. I’m not sure if it was planned or not, but to go and hug and kiss members of the audience at the end of the presentation had a profound effect. It made his message stick. Some presenters show within their presentation that they are simply doing it for the money. While money definitely is a bonus, I can see that he does it for the sparkle in their eye, for their enjoyment, and for their possibilities as says throughout life. He teaches others to challenge themselves and focus on the joy of the journey. Rather than complain about being paid very little as a teacher in comparison to other professions, I should relish the enjoyment that I have as my students excel.
Comments:
1 @ Chuck Mills
http://web.me.com/cmills5/MAC/Blog/Entries/2010/6/12_Week_2_Reading“It_is_better_to_give_than_receive...”.html#
CHUCK: Being a contribution is a simple yet profound concept that I once subscribed to more when I was younger than now. For the first twelve years of my life I was raised by my biological family, which was funded by welfare. Several weeks before my 13th birthday, DYFS came in, took us all away (11 children) and placed us in permanent foster care. Strangers took me and my 5 brothers and 5 sisters in, gave us homes, fed us and cared for us. I eventually landed in a home with a family that I consider my family to this day. I was deeply appreciative of everything they did for me. I spent many years of my life “contributing” and giving back. It was a natural response!
I married later in life at the age of 30 and began to raise a family. My outlook and concern for others changed significantly when I began to focus more on my family, my career and myself. I suppose some of this is natural due to the different responsibilities I assumed but some of it was by design as well. At school I drew back over the years and became different than I once was. Some of this was to protect myself and some of this is just being selfish. I don’t “go the extra mile” as often as I used to.
The EMD&T program has helped breathe new life in me and revitalize some of the dreams I once had. I feel rejuvenated technically, academically and now spiritually and emotionally. The Art of Possibility tugs at the heartstrings and provides a perspective for me that takes me back to a more selfless time in my life. The possibility of making a difference in the lives of more of my students, friends and neighbors is appealing and inviting to me. Time to heed the call!
SHAWN (ME): WOW! Chuck, first I’d like to say that you write wonderfully. Secondly, this segment on contribution seems to hit home on a very personal level. I’m glad to see, not only that you’re thankful, but more importantly that you reciprocate to others as well. In commenting on the contribution, it’s a great feeling to see others eyes sparkle. I love how Zander seems to focus on that natural enjoyment that he has rather than the all mighty dollar he’s earning. I look forward to your posts. Wish you the best in the rest of the program.
Shawn
Comment
1 @ Brandon Snyder
The fourth practice – Being a Contribution
As a teacher one has to be absolutely committed to the idea that they are making a difference. It is a professional necessity that a teacher declare him or herself a contribution or else you find yourself in my position. Unlike the girl in the story at the top of the chapter I forgot about those students that saw me as a contribution. I only saw those students that I felt were not receiving my contribution (which is a reference to the practice of enrollment but that’s next week). I had stopped declaring myself and representing myself as a contribution and because of that work became just that, work.
The fifth practice – Leading From Any Chair
For a while I taught a leadership class for middle schoolers. In one lesson I told the students that “Someone was always watching.” After the initial giggles about going to the restroom, I asked them if they had any siblings. That’s when it hit those students who were open to this idea. That is what this practice reminds me of. I am reminded that a leader is not necessarily the loud guy at the front of the group but anyone with followers that includes the people lower on the ladder that are being looked up to by others around them. To exemplify this, enjoy this TED video.
The sixth practice – Rule Number 6
Rule number 6. Ahhhh, Rule number 6. The rule we all break when it is most imperative for us not to break it. In my story above this is the rule I was breaking. This is the practice that would’ve been most useful. I had forgotten that my job as theatre arts teacher is fun. I was taking myself too seriously and as such was inflexible. This inflexibility caused me to stop being a contribution (or at least not see myself as a contribution). The story Mr. Zander tells in chapter six in which he declares, “No mistakes!” and the white sheet he receives slammed this practice home for me. When the going gets tough and we take ourselves way too seriously we freeze up. We stop looking for solutions and stare at the problem wondering how we got here instead of “How do we get out?”
SHAWN (ME): I was very similar to you towards the end of this school year Brandon. I was overwhelmed with coaching 3 sports as well as completing tasks for this program. Then I had found out that I would soon receive a RIF letter and would have a slight chance to be hired back due to drastic measures Gov. Christie is taking on Public Schools in New Jersey. I walked into the classroom and tried to put my best act forth. I would explain a concept, make sure they understood it, then give them their activities. I’m ashamed of this because I really like teaching, but it seemed to have my forgetting Rule #6.
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