MAC WK3 Reading

MAC Wk 3 Blog Response - David Sholiton

MAC WK3 Reading

In order to change the world, you must have the leadership qualities necessary to make other people powerful. As a leader, you must be able to take away the anxiety that people have that holds them back from recognizing the state of possibility. In that space, a true leader is able to transform the relationship. When there is a breakdown in a relationship, they are not able to progress forward. In a fixed reality, there is domination, control, survival and on the other side there is infinite possibilities. Goals need to be part of the vision. If a goal is not met, it does not mean that you have not made progress. Sometimes, possibility comes from not meeting the goal intended because you end up with a better outcome. The new leader is the person that can distinguish down word spiral to moving people to possibility. Every interaction is a possibility. It is important to celebrate continuously outcomes and possibility. 

 

 

David,

The characteristic of a good leader is one that can spot the downward spiral thinking and circumvent it with conversation of possibility.  If education can find more leaders with this quality that can empower others to lead from their seat with the same mind-frame, education will begin to create the thinkers that we need for this age. Our lives are so filled with the "can't do" mentality and we need to start training people to rise above the wall they have surrounded themselves with after years of bombardment with downward spiral thinking. That is the task of the effective new leader, create the mindset of continuous possibility.

MAC Wk3 Blog Response - Cherylee Gruber

I am continuing to read Zander’s book, The Art of Possibility.  As I read, I take notes on parts that stand out to me or analogies that I wish to reiterate.  Here are my gems from chapters 5-8.

Chapter 5. Leading from Any Chair 

I really enjoyed the piece on how Zander had changed his perception on his own leadership.  His original motive was to convey his interpretation and possible be more successful at conducting.  Instead, he began to focus on having each band member perform to their own potential.  It is an excellent analogy of how a teacher can refocus on the students, instead of their own careers. 

The leader may be any one of us.

Chapter 6. Rule Number 6

Lighten Up – And others will lighten up around you.  Humor is the best way to get over ourselves.

Lessons I learned in this chapter were “Rule Number 6” and how to have the best sex ever.  Wow, the curriculum scope &sequence of Full Sail is very far reaching.  In reality, the key to The Best Sex Ever – Is learning to live life in the realm of possibility. – You can imagine there are three steps to reach all goals. – You can change the steps as often as you want to meet your goals.  Play the - “Have the best ____ ever.” – Game.  “Have IT” – Be fulfilled.

Chapter 7. The Way Things Are

ATTENTION makes things grow.  You shine attention on something you get more of it.  If you pay attention to problems, they grow.  I have heard very similar advice before.  It may have been from my Concious Discipline.  As a teacher, I have used it and it really works.  In the beginning I would focus on Katrina’s slow reading speed, poor math skills or obnoxious behavior. Remember, I was trying to help these problems, but in reality they grew.  Instead I began to focus on what I wanted more of.  I would focus on Katrina’s instances of good behavior, her skill at previous levels of math and reading.  Just focusing on the positive attributes helps not only Katrina, but the whole class by example.  When used, it seems almost as a miracle.  However, it is very easy to slip into the old stand-by, “that is the third time this week you have not completed your homework.”  It is more of a lifestyle shift than a simple rule change.

Chapter 8. Giving Way to Passion

Three key pieces of advice from chapter eight that I plan to incorporate in my life.  All three seem to unlock potentials in exponential ways. 

One buttock playing = One buttock teaching

BTFI – Beyond The “F” It – Just thinking about it, makes me feel “FREE”.

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Cherylee,
I am going to live life by BTFI, freeing indeed. I believe by giving way to our passions we can incite passion in others and provide the spark they need to push them to fulfill their dreams. By not accepting a "glass half-empty" mentality or approach we can change the way things are into what we need them to be for us to accomplish anything. As long as we realize that life is too short for us to take ourselves too seriously, we will be able to take the liberty of allowing others to take the wheel, to empower them to reach new heights and learn from their leadership as we provide the opportunity for them to find themselves. 

MAC Wk 3 Art of Possibility Post

I continue to be impressed and inspired by The Art of Possibility. Chapter five, which deals with  leading from any chair, helped me realize that all of my students and members are leaders in their own right, even if they don't know it. It is my responsibility to lead when needed, but more importantly to provide opportunity within my classroom construct for others to lead. It's easier to accomplish this at my church as discussions are easily taken over to the point that it's a struggle to rein everyone back in, but I enjoy those discussions
Rule #6 is a philosophy I've been living for a long time. It keeps me from stressing too much over trivial things and helps balance my marriage. It has also helped me get through my first couple years of teaching and adapt to different difficult situations. By keeping my calculating self in check and thinking from a central self position, I have been able to operate objectively in the face of adversity and reach students where others were not successful.
Operating in the way things are from a downward spiral perspective is something that I feel educators consistently fall prey to, including myself. The conditions we are forced to work in can perpetuate this line of thinking with no "light at the end of the tunnel" seemingly in sight. We have to learn to have more conversations of possibility and be the optimist in the midst of a pessimistic and cynical society. Eventually we will sway others to our way of thinking and if we don't, at least we can find comfort in knowing we are providing the "light".
Finally, I often give way to passion when I sing or compete, but have usually only reserved it for those settings. I am going to take the governor off my passion and let it flow like the stream in the reading. Maybe the passion I've been reserving for music and sports will touch others in mathematics and I know its increased use will serve my ministry well.

MAC Wk2 Leadership Project Post

There are a couple of journals that seem ideal for my paper. Unfortunately, due to the nature of my research I have been having a hard time locating publications where I fit. One I found is the Journal of Research on Technology in Education. This peer-reviewed journal encourages original research and I feel my AR project falls under that criteria because it was conducted on the topic of biblical education.

The second publication I am considering is the Journal of Interactive Learning Research. This peer-reviewed journal peaked my interest because it focuses on the areas of virtual learning environments, computer-mediated communications, and interactive learning environments. These specific areas were all used in my AR project, so I believe my chances at publication are high.

MAC_Week 2, Reading: The Art of Possibility, Give Yourself an A!

MAC Wk 2 Blog Repsonse - Debra Patsel

MAC_Week 2, Reading: The Art of Possibility, Give Yourself an A!

As I was reading this book, I was pleased to find validity in what my practice has always been with my special education class. I have never felt comfortable grading anyone, especially special education students.

As stated in the book, “…it would be pointless to compare one child to another.” Zander, R. S., & Zander, B. (2000). “An A transports your relationships from the world of measurement into the universe of possibility.” I truly believe in the universe of possibility. I wouldn’t be able to teach my student’s that have so many challenges if I didn’t believe that.


On top of the cognitive issues my students have, they are living in an urban situation with shootings, drugs, and poverty. Most have developed emotional issues and their parents aren’t versed in parenting basics, or they may be in jail or have abandoned their child.

With all of this to overcome, I don’t want them to have to “measure-up”. I have always started the year with telling the students that they all are at the same place, they are on top and I view them as being great people and wonderful students. They all get an A to start and the only way to change that is to be disrespectful to others, curse too much, fight, not care about doing the work, and not trying to work.

If they are all trying to do the best that they can, I can’t make a judgment on a scale of someone else’s idea of what is correct. Even when the students have very, very low abilities, I have to find their strengths and build on that to improve their self-esteem. I accept them where they are that day and allow them to be who they are and move on at their pace.

I don’t believe in benchmarks that my district has pushed on everyone. Everyone learns at a different pace and everyone reaches different developmental milestones at different ages. If they haven’t reached their milestone, they are not ready to move on to the next level no matter what a system says.

Since everyone is very unique we take pride in our differences and strive to become an interesting little family.

Sources: Book: Zander, R. S., & Zander, B. (2000) The art of possibility. Boston, Mass: Harvard Business School Press.

Image: Microsoft Office Clipart; MP900385724 & MP900431702

Debbie,
I applaud your philosophy of teaching. It sounds like the Zanders could have interviewed you for some stories to place in their book. I wish more people in educational leadership read this book and shared in its philosophy. I believe our education system would be much improved if it functioned in this regard.  I don't teach "special education" labeled students all day,  but I believe we are all special, with our own set of idiosyncrasies for learning and should be treated as such. I can understand your classroom through my wife's stories and experience in her career and I know what type of commitment and service you are providing to your students. Keep providing them a universe of possibility.

WK 2-Weekly Reading Blog Post MAC

MAC Wk 2 Blog Response - Valencia Winston

WK 2-Weekly Reading Blog Post MAC

This image taken by Valencia Winston, from the digitally downloaded textbook.

I loved, loved, loved reading the “Art of Possibility” by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander. Throughout my journey, I have read similar books in the genre and have gained enormous insight from most. The concept that looking outside of our own boxes, and boxes defined by society, our teachers, parents and friends, really would open up an entire world of new possibilities. The time spent in the text, discussing Ben Zander’s decision about giving all of his orchestra students an “A” grade, illustrated this viewpoint. The criteria to write from a point in the future, in which they had received the desired grade, allowed them the freedom to learn their way.  This was brilliant!

I tried a similar approach with my advanced students, this past school year.  Often after finding out what grade they would receive on their report cards, negotiations would begin. I begin to really resent these discussions, because many of these were from students who had done nothing to improve their grades. I decided to give them a rubric for every project, and have them grade themselves based on those standards.  Each standard was given a point value that would together equal 100pts. My only requirement was that they be honest, and provide evidence for giving themselves the grade. The plan worked beautifully. They no longer questioned me, because it they did not do the work and have evidence to provide, they had no choice but to be honest.

This week’s reading provided me with different perspectives on a personal relationship with a family member, that has been strained and full of friction at times.  I’ve decided to give this person an A. I am so excited about what possibilities will unfold, since I have decided to “draw some lines” outside of the box!


Vee,
This is my first time reading a book from this genre, but I must agree that I have gained enormous insight from it. This concept of Giving an "A" mat be difficult in my math class, but the philosophy of it will surely be attempted next year. In ministry and my relationships outside of academia, I have always tried to give people "A"s, even when their behavior and actions did not warrant it. My experience with this has been positive for the most part and even though I have been burned sometimes, the good I have seen come out of it far outweighs the negative. I wish you blessings on your endeavor to give your family member an "A". I pray that it alleviates the strain on your relationship. Remember...there is no box.

MAC Wk 2 -  Art of Possibility Reading Blog

Living in the world of measurement sums up my 7th grade classroom. I have been so caught up in the last two years of my teaching career on how my students were going to do on the state tests and how they don't measure up to the standards I believe they should be meeting that I may not have given them the best chance at success. I have struggled immensely with the skills set that many of my students bring in, banging my head against the wall trying to figure out how they made it this far with so little mathematical skill. It has been a frustrating couple of years, but with some of the insight from the Art of Possibility, I am changing my viewpoint to create a more positive approach to learning and teaching. By switching my classroom to a world of possibility, I will now look at my students as opportunities to fill with mathematical knowledge and not empty broken vessels that should have been fixed before they got to me.

I also found the chapter on being a contribution enlightening as it left me with the feeling that everything I do is important. My contributions as a father, husband, minister, teacher, frater, and friend all impact people in different ways and each of those ways, no matter how "minuscule" they may seem, are significant. I vow to use this approach the rest of my life and I can already see a new "Joe" emerging from the ashes of "the world is doing fine without me". Look out world, here I come!