Response to Alonzo

My reply-
These chapters really could create a possibility of world peace if people just followed what was being said. In chapter 9 I truly was inspired by how students that others said wouldn't get it or appreciate it, GOT IT! Just because one person saw that things are done better in person. I almost wish that this book could be distributed at every United Nations meeting in every language, to all diplomats and individuals that make life altering decisions for common people. Possibly if they read, absorbed it, and applied it maybe just maybe things could or would change.

Original Post-
This week’s reading continues with chapters 5-8 of “The Art of Possibility” by Zander, R. and Zander, B. Chapter nine was entitled, “Lighting a Spark”. This chapter showed how we can inspire in those around us, action, creative expression, and contribution. Chapter ten, “Being the Board”, spoke of simply how we should all be 100% responsible for how things are going. Next was chapter eleven, “Creating Frameworks and Possibility”. This chapter gave me the idea of how we put this practice into reality, in the type of “world” we may live in so that we can make a difference. Lastly is chapter twelve, “Telling the WE Story”. This chapter speaks of how finally by coming from a “we” type of partnership. We can create a bridge that unites all divisions and people as one. This could be a real possibility for world peace from this point of view.

Response to Barry

 My reply-
I agree with you about teachers not fully being able to explore the opportunities of marketing ourselves. If this would happen more often possible teachers & teaching would undergo a paramount shift. Possibly society would take education more seriously because they would see us sharing our expertise and knowledge. Imagine if celebrities included secondary and primary educators rather than athletes or movie stars simply because we were able to branch out and connect. The power that we possess has not fully been tapped into and I commend you on tapping into it. I hope all goes well with your presentation and wish you the best!

 Original Post

My plan is to present my Action Research Project to at the Spring CUE Conference, SJUSD Teach Workshops, and Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) trainings. I believe that teachers havent had the opportunity to explore the great benefit of creating a personal brand and marketing themselves through social media outlets. Extending the one’s perception of their power and status as a professional, teachers can benefit greatly when they market themselves and the knowledge and expertise that they posses. The Keynote can be found here. And the speaker’s notes can be found here.
My initial brainstorming can be found in this blog post (I only completed one of the “Think Out Louds”).

WK 4 Publishing_Presentation Project

    One place that I would be interested in publishing my findings is Edutopia. It is a blogging site for educators. Unlike some of the journals it is not as directed toward academic individuals as to really speaking to the average person. My CBR project & results would be more of the focus rather than the literature review and research. Its requirements are very simple but it may not allow me to fully explain my findings because of the word limits within the blog.

    The second place is actually a conference. Its location changes each time it is hosted and it was actually in Dallas this past weekend. The next time its in Kentucky. But it allows anyone to present as long as what they are presenting involves new technology. From what I gather it is an open forum and everyone is treated like a rock star! If one feels as though they are not gaining anything from a session they simply remove themselves. I think that this would be a great experience and I would like to one day present here because of the environment and support that is laid out in the expectations.


http://historythroughsharolseyes.blogspot.com/2011/10/publishing-presentation-project-think.html

http://historythroughsharolseyes.blogspot.com/2011/10/publishing-presentation-project-think_14.html

Presentation Document

The Art of Possibility Week 4

"Certain things in life are better done in person." In this day and age of endless technology things are seldom done in person or even over the phone. Something as simple as visiting an individual and sharing their idea & time & space can change the outcome of a situation. In order to do this a few simple steps are to be followed:
1. Imagine that people are an invitation for enrollment.
2. Stand ready to participate, willing to be moved & inspired.
3. Offer that which lights you up.
4. Have no doubt that others are eager to catch the spark.

Vander followed these steps and changed the lives of students that society had "thrown away" & labeled as failures. Just taking interest in someone else's fate has a ripple effect. They appreciate it. But it has to be done genuinely and you have to trust that they will respond & partner will you in it. Also at times we have to learn not to point the finger at others but to accept what our role may have been in the situation. Become the board rather than just a player on it. After lighting the spark & seeing our role we must set peraminters for possibility to happen. This can be done through:
1. Make a new distinction in the realm of possibility: one that is a powerful substitute for the current framework of meaning that is generating the downward spiral.
2. Enter the territory. Embody the new distinction in such a way that it becomes the framework for life around you.
3. Keep distinguishing what is "on the track" and what is "off the track" of your framework for possibility.
Lastly, we must see both sides of history and tell the story of "WE". Instead of focusing on one side or the other being right or wrong, see the possibilities on both sides.
1. Tell the WE story- the story of the unseen threads that connect us all, the story of possibility.
2. Listen and look for the emerging entity.
3.Ask: "What do WE want to happen here?"
   "What is best for US?" - all of each of us, and all of all of us.
   "What is OUR next step?"

If only more people in history and now had read this book, our society would be ran so much different. People would not give up as easily but they would also see past the present situation of a person and see what that person or object could become.

Response to Rosalyn

The reading has helped me develop a new viewpoint on life and my career. I admit I started this year with the worst attitude but reading this book has made me really re-evaluate my thinking. I know I can not continue to focus on the negative but expect positive results. And I must say your positivity is a God send!

Week 3 Wimba

What am I going to take from the reading and use in teaching and in my life? Reading the Art of Possibility has given me a more open mind. I have to say I have always been a positive thinker, I would take the worst situation and find the positive in it. However, the reading has encouraged me to continue to do this, and maybe even see if I can help others see things from a more positive view. Not only does this apply to teaching, but my personal life, and the relationships that I have established with friends and family. Very inspirational!

Posted by Rosalynn at 8:24 PM

Response to Fari

 I could not agree with you more about how individuals lead. In my personal experience it seems as though once individuals get a wee little bit of power it taints their view of the world. Sometimes "bosses" or "supervisors" can get so caught up in the numbers & data that they forget what matters most, the people.  Unfortunately this "diseased" thinking is trickling into education. People must know to keep a clear view of their students' abilities  & their students will move mountains for them.

 

 

Wk 3 Reading: The Art of Possibility (5-8)

My reflection journey continues...
5. Leading From Any Chair: "How much greatness are we willing to grant?"

Image taken from www.freedigitalphotos.net

Very thoughtful question! In my professional life as a teacher I've had to work with people that seems to forget that leading has nothing to do with imposing a concept or thought, but being open to your employees ideas and new ways to do things. A good leader knows how and when to delegate responsibilities,  to trusts others, and usually puts himself/herself in someone else's shoes to understand a situation or to come up with a solution to a problems. As teachers, it's always a good idea to survey our students to find out what works best or what can be improved in our clasroom. If our students shine, we shine too! The effectiveness of a teacher is definitely shown through our students' achievement...

6. Rule #6: "What would have to change for me to be completely fullfilled?" 
Finding balance is my answer to this question. It's so easy to lose your temper and get out of control if you let your "calculating self" take over your reactions to a situation that arises. However, letting your "central self" handle it, is a way to put in practice rule number 6 and come up with a more productive solution.

7. The Way Things Are: "What do we want to do from here?"

Image taken from www.freedigitalphotos.net

We definitely need to change our negative way of seeing an unexpected situation,  and turn it into  a positive one, taking the best out of it. If we can't change it, we "think outside the box", and come up with a more optimistic outcome. In other words we get rid of the "downward spiral talk" and get into the world of possibilities. If we  choose to see the glass "half-full", we can even come up with a new way to fill it up!

8. Giving Way to Passion: We should not refrain ourselves, we should release that energy and passion trapped in our souls, in our hearts. This way we will connect with a world of possibilities and we'll go beyond the limits set up by those who think that "all is invented"

Publishing/ Presentation Project Think- Outloud Part 2

So after doing a little research and getting pretty scared to be honest I think I am still leaning toward Edutopia. On their site they offer some instruction as to what would be needed to be considered for publication as a guest blogger. All of the items seem like I would be able to fulfill them except possibly #4 because the only items I written have been for Full Sail so does that count? Just wondering but I'm excited to at least try & attempt.

Want to get involved?

• Guest Blogs: We welcome submissions by guest bloggers on a wide range of topics. Blogs should be positive, proactive, and actionable. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. To submit an idea for consideration, please email community@edutopia.org and include:
• 1. a few sentences describing your proposed post
• 2. tell us who the target audience for your blog would be (e.g., high school math teachers, or reform-minded educators)
• 3. an 80-word bio of yourself, with details about your role in education
• 4. three to five links to other pieces you've written
• 5. your Twitter handle and link to your Facebook page (if you have these)