Week4 Wimba

I'm terribly sorry I missed this discussion! What a rich interaction about the book - I read everyone's post so far and wish I were there to chat about leadership and the nature of the book with all of you.
I particularly enjoyed the interactions about what everyone found most meaningful about the book and how it has maybe contributed some thoughts to our own practice.
I think the most important part of the reading for me came in last week's assigned chapters. I wrote about it in an earlier blog that the most essential part of being a leader is the ability to make others powerful. http://1734realtime.blogspot.com/2012/08/week3-reading.html
Despite the fact that this may seem as though it is common sense, I do think it warrants constant repetition. All leaders need to be reminded of the nature of their position and this is a good mentality to have.
I also appreciated to heads up for next month. It's good to get a little preparation as many of us are starting school very soon if we haven't already. Thanks for a great rich discussion - see you in twelve!

Week4 Reading

Reading

“Certain things in life are best done in person.”

I found chapter nine to be the most impactful. I think part of the reason I did was because of the quotation above and how it applies to my action research project. The project was to implement a blended learning model in an eleventh grade history class. I recall one of my doubting colleagues remarking, “Well Broz, if they[students] like it that much they don’t even have to come to class”.

Al had a good point. We implemented an entirely computer based credit recovery program for students who were unsuccessful during the day program and his conjecture was implying that I was making my classroom obsolete.

Of course I laughed and disagreed with him, saying “Then they [students] would miss all the antics!”

I really enjoyed my action research project and I think it had a great impact on student learning; however, nothing can replace the human element in education.

The other part of the reading I found particularly meaningful came from chapter eleven when the author discusses the idea of creating a framework for possibility. In particular on page 163, the author wrote about the practice of framing possibility. Number three in the list is to “Keep distinguishing what is ‘on the track’ and what is ‘off the track’ of your framework for possibility.” I think this holds particular weight for teachers and frankly for all professionals who continually reflect upon their practice. Because none of us are ever entirely perfect, being a reflective person is almost necessary. If we continually distinguish what is in the realm of possibility and then dismiss things that get us “off track”, our practices and personal relationship to our profession will inevitably improve. 

Week4 Leadership Post

Leadership

Writing about leaders who I admire is sort of a challenging task for me. See I’m not a very good follower. I was the kid in class who had to do things differently. Who had to argue with the teacher’s and eventually professor’s opinion.  When I worked at the restaurant waiting tables, I used to create my own specials and tell my tables and eventually the kitchen. I thought they were better modifications of our menu anyway. When I worked for the airline I refused to say “Happy Holidays” to people. I said “Happy non-denominational winter holiday” simply to mock the fake well wish. I was good at being a stock broker as long as my clients listened to my suggestions. As a teacher I have numerous letters of insubordination from three different principals. I like to play devil’s advocate. I frequently think I’m right.

I asked my boy and he said “Pop, I think a good leader is one who is courageous and fights for those who can’t fight for themselves.” The boy is absolutely right. Of course there are many other personality traits that go into being a good leader, but he said courage because in his mind a leader is someone who advocates for what is right regardless of the consequences.

In my earlier days of being sort of a pain to my teachers, restaurant managers, airline supervisors I think I was simply posturing for my own ideas to be heard. I mean changing the restaurant menu is not exactly a grand cause to fight for. Nor is modifying a holiday salutation (but I’ll tell you – almost all the customers cracked up with the non-denominational holiday comment. I think I added a little humor to an ordinarily mundane salutation. But then again… I think I’m always right.) Actually, as I reflect on many of these situations in my past, I think I was battling for a different point of view, a laugh or a creative idea.  As I’ve gotten older and really don’t live for myself anymore, I’m glad to say that those insubordination letters came in defense of my students and their programs. I continue to advocate to my students and teachers. The last two principals I’ve had were good leaders – they listened and worked with us to make our school better. Where they lacked the courage to stand up for what was right, they knew there was someone waiting in the wings just itching to dance that line of insubordination again.

I think I’m getting closer to my boy’s idea of what a good leader is.

It’s impossible for me to select one individual to write about as a good leader. I firmly believe that all of us can be good leaders if we allow ourselves the courage to be one. Everyone is different and leadership styles are as unique and necessary to all professions as are the ones they lead. I’d add only one thing to the definition of “courage”. Conviction. Conviction and courage. 

Week4 Response to Rhonda

Rhonda's Post:

Getting to the “We Story”

The Art of Possibility has created the opportunity for so many reflections.  There are so many ways in life that we teach.  Engaging with others is a journey of experiencing how our stories and our understandings lead us along the paths we share.  Chapter nine begins with the term of enrollment.  Defining it as a practice of generating a spark of possibility for others to share (p125).  I think that is significant.  We create the possibility for connections, relationships, bonds or what ever they are called to exist.  We are the creators of the experience.

With that in mind I think it is also important to understand that the author did a good job of introducing Rule #6 early in the book.  Allowing the reader to adapt a perspective first of not taking thyself to seriously.  Giving us permission to ease up and release some of the tension that may be held in places we’ve not yet discovered.  Having the space to relax and realize that life is a journey and each part of the journey is offering something to have, hold, and learn.  Chapters nine and ten create some interesting thoughts of mindset, definitions, and legal spheres as influential in the stories we unfold.

I particularly liked page 146 Turning attention to what we want to see happen, with none paid to what you need to win, fight, or fix.  If we were to live with that in mind would the experiences we have be forever changed?  There is a lot to be said, as on page 147, for the world of measurement and its amplification of the process of life.  Getting to the story of we takes the whole book.  Each chapter and all that are described.  Getting to the end of a good book is sometimes a realization of how we have connected to the story, the characters, and the possibility that things in life can be what we choose to create and have a meaning beyond the scope of one particular perspective.

Embracing all of life to me has become the path that leads to peace.

My comment:

Rhonda,
I'm glad you seemed to like this book - and you're absolutely right about embracing all of life. I think it's truly the only way to appreciate everyone around us. I too liked that part on 146  - shifting the focus of our thought to what we'd like to see happen rather than see a battle in front of us. I think that's a great way to approach teaching and really all situations in life.
Michael

Week4 Response to Bryan

Bryan's Post:

As I continued reading through chapters 9 to 12 of The Art of Possibility, I find myself continually impressed with the style of Zander’s writing. It challenges the reader the really think about everyday times where one can be instinctively negative about a situation and reframes it to raise the question of where did I learn to think of this situation, thatway? Not to turn this into a review of the book, to save time, I liked it; I’m going to dissect my favorite parts from these chapters. I especially found inspiration in Chapter 9 where Zander took a hard no about holding a concert in a venue to a massive opportunity where the odds were stacked against him, conducting an orchestra for a school in a vastly underprivileged area where many assumed that culture was a lost cause. Not only did Zander and his orchestra rise to the challenge of performing for these children, they exceeded expectations and were a rousing success. It was during this chapter that I started to think about the influence music has had on my life, and some of the many times that music has really raised my spirit to overcome obstacles. Then I thought about Chapter 9 again and thought why wouldn’t live music in this school be successful? To assume a taste in music based on socioeconomic status and race is pointless, I’ve heard the arguments on this, but at the end of the argument music is still music and has the capacity and power to touch anyone whose ears it hits.

International Space Station, image courtesy of the Wikimedia Commons

I also really enjoyed the idea of “being the board” as chapter 10 suggests, because it does provide a more favorable way of presenting situations. While I can’t say that some of the examples Zander used would find much solace in “being the board” it is a healthier way to frame a bad situation. This chapter had a great example in Zander writing the letter to his student about learning to not lash out about situations out of his control, and I’m sure anyone who has been in charge of a monumental task where many things can go wrong, can sympathize with Zander’s position in this story. I have to admit that I’ve not only been in the position Zander was in, I’ve taken the same path he did by lashing out and becoming a burden to the supportive people around me. While I can’t say that “being the board” is a philosophy I could see myself subscribing to in order to solve a tough situation, I can see the value in taking a few minutes to cast that light on a negative situation before acting in regrettable manner.

It was at this point where I found myself reading my second favorite chapter of The Art of Possibility, Chapter 11. The part where Zander describes having his students write comparisons of playing music to the work that the engineers do at NASA. I immediately enjoyed the notion of musicians writing to NASA to speak to the inspiration and imagination that both these fields require to work well. It was especially rewarding to read how touched these engineers at NASA were by these letters, and the fact that they sent them into space to inspire the astronauts and remind them why they do the work they do. In fact, my second favorite quote from this book fell in chapter 11, “I am here today to cross the swamp, not to fight all the alligators.” As an educator, particularly the math teacher in me, that particular line resonated with me. Sometimes just having a positive attitude about the situation can win the battle. I think to that end, this is probably what Zander’s greatest message was throughout the book, that one can lose sight of how great the things in front of them truly are if they choose to frame everything in a negative light. I would contend that this was the most uplifting chapter of the book; because of the way it framed a situation that hadn’t changed or been disrupted at all, but found a new more positive way to look at it. I think as an educator it gets easy to forget the world of possibility seated in front of us each day when we get bogged down with all the white noise of collecting data, and performance evaluations, and so on.

As I came to chapter 12 I was actually excited to see how Zander wrapped this book up, and I have to admit I haven’t gotten that into a book in quite some time. To be honest, I was expecting a massively grandiose message and felt a little disappointed when I finished chapter 12. Not to say that Zander’s message of looking at situations in the “we” instead of the “I/You” wasn’t good, I think we (and all of our personal relationships) could certainly benefit from doing so from time to time. I just built up this idea of a huge overarching message that I assumed had to be coming, but in reality that wasn’t Zander’s message in the first place. In fact, in the coda following chapter 12, he even states himself that this book wasn’t written to “cure” your problems; but, after reading this and allowing Zander to do a little mind expansion, I can certainly see how this line of thinking could make a lot of things in life easier and eliminate a lot of unnecessary stress.

My comment:

Bryan,
That was a great summary of the assigned reading – with quality reflection. I have to say that I didn’t completely enjoy the book as much as others, but then again – I just don’t really like books like this. The one thing that I laughed about as I read the end of your post was that you were slightly disappointed that there wasn’t some grand final message. I was thinking, “Oh thank God!”
I also agreed with your assessment of “being the board”. That’s not really how I roll either. I’m ok with patience, but reactions are frequently warranted.
Great post as always!
Michael

Week3 LeadershipProject

The findings from this project should be presented to all high school stakeholders. The applicability of the findings could apply to all high schools, but districts that struggle to employ useful expensive technology could especially benefit. This presentation will be submitted to the Florida League of IB Schools, FLIBS and the International Society of the Social Studies(ISSS). Both of these venues provide access to districts of varied wealth and dedication to the incorporation of technology.

Week One Leadership Project Post

Week Two Leadership Project Post

Presentation

Week3 Response to Angelo

I sort of envy that you have this reaction to The Art of Possibility. It's not that I don't like it, but I sort of want to experience the "ocean of pictures". Oh well - I guess its just not my kind of book.
I agree with you though - its a cool read and while most of the advice or plan seems to be largely common sense, there were a few parts that were quite entertaining. I really liked chapter 6 and I agree - it was pretty hysterical.
I suppose when I'm reading it I tend to think of all the stories I could tell. Maybe that's my individual ocean of pictures! Great post as always Alf!

Alf's Original Post:

One of the biggest takeaways from reading this particular book is that I have never seen myself so enthusiastic about diving in. Let me reiterate that the “Art of Possibility” by Benjamin and Rosamund Zander is one of those books that you cannot put down; it is a brilliantly refreshing account of the lessons and stories about enjoying life to the fullest. I really like the format of the writing so far because when I read I don’t see words, rather I see an ocean of pictures before me–every chapter is filled with paintings of concepts that I truly understand and appreciate, because the lessons are so applicable in my own life.

Allow me to give a brief summary of each chapter (5-8). Chapter 5 is about stepping down and letting others lead. I have heard it said a lot from teachers that it a humbling and genuine experience when the students teach the teachers. Chapter 6 teaches us to lighten up using Rule Number 6 (hilarious. Chapter 7 is about being present to the way things are so that we can have clarity on the next step we should take. Chapter 8 is about giving way to passion, that is to let go of restraint and participate fully. Benjamin Zander, in one of his anecdotes, referred to this as going “Beyond the F*ck It”. I also learned from these chapters the difference between the calculating vs. central self. I am now striving to be more in contact with the latter because I can see how much good it does for me and for everyone else around me.

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