MAC Week 3 Classmate Comment (Chonnie Blair)

MAC Week 3 Blog 1

Chapter 5 reminded us of a fundamental principle – there is no I in team.  Every member of a team has a significant and critical contribution that he presents to the overall project or goal.  Using the orchestra as method of demonstrating this principle, the chapter focused on the conductor as person in front that gets the recognition and blame, but each person playing an instrument is critical important to the piece being played correctly and beautifully.

“Lighten up, which may well light up those around you” is the liberating practice presented in chapter 6 of the book.  This very short phrase has a tremendous impact on me as an educator in a tested area in an high school environment as the pressure to have students perform at a certain level can sometimes cause undo stress that is easily transferred to our students.  This message was heard and received by me and others with whom I have shared it.

Chapter 7 helps us to assess the current situation in which we find ourselves, its impact and encourages us to focus intently on our next course of action based on the present circumstances.  This is a chapter full of wisdom for plotting a course for you life.

I often tell others to function professionally in a capacity which embodies that thing about which you are passionate.  Chapter 8 charges us with running face first into a dark room faithfully in the direction of our passion.  What an awesome charge!

MAC Week 3 Blog Post

Chapter Five taught me that you do not have to be the conductor of an orchestra to be a leader. I lead from my position now.  Everyone is a leader no matter what they do. Being a leader is not defined as your position or title but by what you do. By making a difference in my community, I am a leader. Being a leader is also letting someone else do the shining and not holding the spotlight for you.

Chapter 6 teaches one to relax and enjoy life. Do not take things so seriously. Reminds me of quote for a Batman movie that I recite often “Why so serious batman?” I know it is a crazy quote to remember but it reminds me so much of this chapter. So often we get caught up in things and ourselves that we forget to relax a little.  It is not always about the title you have or who sees you. It’s about relaxing and taking in what you can.

Chapter 7 teaches you to accept your mistakes.  Some things in life happen for reasons we cannot control. Sometimes it really just is “the way things are.” This chapter teaches you ways to cope and understand what is happening in life.  It reminds me of a book that helps you cope with losing someone.

Chapter 8 giving the way to passion makes you take a look at yourself and realize what you should change about yourself.  Look at your whole self and taking away the boundaries that keep you from everyone else.

Week 2 Leadership Post

Welcome Back!! This time I will be shedding light of whether or not I would like to publish or post my work.

When it comes to deciding whether to publish or present, I have to go with publish hands down.  It will be so cool to reach a greater audience and have evidence of my writing.  I would love for people to read my article and be moved by my work.  I would also buy multiple copies and frame one. How cool would that be to tell a principle that my research was featured in a magazine?  Presenting is always great because people can see you and feel your emotion when you speak but I would really like to have proof of my work and accomplishment.  The main magazine I would like to have my work published would be NEA magazine. NEA stands for National Education Association.  I am a subscriber to their magazine and have been for years now.  I really enjoy the articles that I read and the messages that they relay.  It is a great magazine for teachers!!

Thank you for following my Ray of Light!!

Week 2 Classmate Comment (Adam Vaughn)

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2012

MAC Week 2 Reading: Art of Possibility Chapters 1–4

WHAT A FANTASTIC TED TALK! JOE THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS VIDEO, IF YOU HAVE ANYMORE FAVORITES PLEASE MAKE US ALL AWARE.

THESE QUOTES FROM THE VIDEO DESERVE BLOG SPACE.

"WHO AM I BEING, THAT MY PLAYERS EYES ARE NOT SHINING?" - BENJAMIN ZANDER

"It is one of the characteristics of a leader, that he not doubt for one moment the capacity of the people he is leading to realizing whatever he is dreaming." - Benjamin Zander

"The conductor doesn't make a sound, he depends for his power, on his ability to make other people powerful." 

- Benjamin Zander

"I will never say anything, that couldn't stand as the last thing I ever say." - Auschwits survivor

It took me a minute to figure out what I wanted to say about the book, 

but in the first four chapters this is where my head is at…

Dear Mr. Zander,

I got my "A" because I found purpose in the process. What I used to think were vain attempts at reaching some unseen goal, lost in space, or some endless maze, were in fact the efforts of one finding his individual points, lines, and planes. This entire time I have been tracing out my own great pattern. Though I cannot see it in its entirety, I do know it is there, and I know, even in the dark, exactly what I am doing. As the days pass, the little fears and insecurities of the past reveal themselves as sure footing for the moment that make the pathway to a glorious future.

Sincerely,

Adam Vaughn

MarquitaJan 15, 2012 01:34 PM

Adam,

Love the pictures and the quotes. Added a fabulous touch to a fabulous book!!! I also liked how you added a letter to Dr. Zander, way to internalize your reading. I have spoken with a member of the PAC team at my school to see if we can do the letter to increase the overall moral and success rate of our staff. Sometimes you need to picture your success in order to obtain it. Way to go!!!

Week 2 Classmate Comment (Chonnie Blair)

MAC Week 2 Blog Post 1

The book The Art of Possibility has thus far been thought provoking.  The first chapter which discusses how one's perception is critically important.  The book discusses a scenario at the inception of the chapter about two journalist that respond to a question regarding shoes.  One journalist had an optimistic outlook with reference to a specific areas marketing and sales opportunities for shoes.  This reminded me of the infamous the cup is half empty or half full scenario where one determines a person's level of optimism.  However, at the end of the chapter, the author suggests that we can "invent" a new perspective our outlook for oneself.

The second chapter builds on the first by expounding the way the scenario could have changed if the new invention is access and nurtured.  It challenges the reader to question himself in a way that manifests their thinking as the driving force to their outcomes on a grand scale.

The third chapter speaks to looking at individual achievement and accomplishments as just that - individual.  Often we compare ourselves of others to an established norm.  Socially, we compare people to each other in many areas such as physical appearance, measures of financial success and the like.

The final chapter was quite interesting and one that could be immediately internalized.  The chapter suggested that we gauge our success every day by the contribution we made as if we, ourselves, are the gift to our world every day.  I love this philosophy as it has been my own for many years.

Overall, I enjoyed the reading because of its applications in my professional environment.  If I can get others - particularly my students - to change their perception and their paradigm, it can greatly impact their overall performance in my class and in their academic career as a whole.  However, for that to be a successful endeavor, I have to openly start them all at an A with an expectation of them performing at a higher level than they ever have or ever thought possible.

MAC Wk 2 Blog

Welcome Back!! In week 2 I will be shedding some light on a book titled: "The Art of Possibility". This is a wonderful book!! Enjoy!!

The first chapter of the Art of possibility speaks of reaching an understanding in the sequence of: first, our sense bring us selective information about what is out there; second, the brain constructs its own simulation of the sensations; and only then, third, do we have our first conscious experience of our milieu. It gives great analogies of how our senses work and of the brain as a map. It also relates how we perceive things in the world and how the brain translates it.

Chapter two challenges you to think of your path in the world and struggles that you may have or have not yet overcome.  The world is all about surviving and making it through another day.  We have to be able to judge when, where, and how we measure the situations and people that we encounter.  An interesting point in the reading states: “We grow up in a world of measurement, and in this world, we get to know each other and things by measuring them, and by comparing and contrasting them”. This statement reminds me of how we judge each other on their socioeconomic statues or by skin color, etc.  It is important that we look inside of each other than the outside.  This chapter teaches us about looking at the world as if everything is possible and taking a chance.  We should be grateful for the good and the bad things that we encounter in life.

Chapter three is one that I can really relate too.  I agree that one cannot be measured simply by a grade.  The grade you receive does not always reflect on the work or time and effort that you have put into that assignment.  Getting a 75 in science does not indicate that I have done all of my homework and class work. Maybe I am a horrible test taker and that is why I am having these low scores. I really like the concept of giving an “A”.  The concept of giving an “A” is not an expectation to live up to, but a possibility to live into.   Having the students write about why they deserved an “A” even before they had to do any work was a great way to get students to realize their self-worth.  We are not the grade that we make. If I make a “D’, that is does not represent me.  Beyond that “D” I could be something much more or greater.  Words are what bother our students. If you speak negativity then that is what you will receive.  If you speak of excellence, than that is what you will get. 

Chapter four presents the struggles of acceptance.  It is about finding the achievement in everything you do without comparing yourself to the success of others.  Realizing that you as a person contribute to the world.  Being generous to other will encourage them to be generous to someone else. Teaching other to contribute will make them feel better about everything they do.

I hope that you have enjoyed following my light!! Shine On!!

MAC Wk 1 Leadership Post

 Photo from dipidty.com

Once again it is time for me to shed my light... This post is about a someone that I admire as a leader. This individual is John Dewey. Enjoy!!

I have been an avid follower of John Dewey since my early years as an undergrad.  He has this understanding of students and I yearn for that knowledge.  From studying the works of John Dewey it has impacted me tremendously as an educator. Students learn by doing so I ensure that my activities are hands on.  It is important that my students are involved in their education and the overall process of learning. I have read so many books on how students learn but at the end of the day the proof is in the pudding. 

I want to be like John Dewey in my career in education.  I want to be remembered for strategies that I create.  I want to make a difference in the art of teaching and learning.  John Dewey has set the bar really high but I know that I can help students to learn.  I am probably 1 out of 70 that believes learning should be fun.  I am not the most popular one either.  Students need to be exposed to the concept prior to you teaching it.  But some do not realize that.  You can tell students about the Grand Canyon if they have never even been out of the project.  With John Dewey as my guide, I know I can make the education world exciting.


I hope that you have enjoyed reading about my guiding light! Until next time...