Wk 3 Choice: Statistics

Photo obtained from microsoft.com

56 million students will be enrolled in the United States school systems this fall. How many will you have a positive effect on this year?

7.2 million practicing teachers in the United States.
Are you teaching from the heart?

$7.2 billion spent on kids clothing in August 2009.
What about those kids who are not blessed with new clothes?

14.2 million computers avaliable in classrooms (that's 1 computer for every 4 students).  Do you incorporate computers into your teaching?

100% of public schools have Internet access. Are you using the many resources the Internet has to offer?

3,000 new words learned by an average student per year in the early school years. Are you contributing to children's vocabulary?

14% of individuals have a learning disability. Can you help them?

$2 billion spent each year on students who repeat a grade because they do not read well enough. Are you helping children learn to read?

1 million children drop out of school each year. Is there anything you can do to help stop drop-outs?

44 million adults in the United States can't read a simple story to a child because the reading is too difficult for them. Are you giving these children support at school?

15 minutes of out-of-school reading a day can expose students to more than a million words of text in a year. Are you telling kids the importance of reading?

As we start another school year, make sure you are doing your part to support and guide children in your school! You are a role model and the best encourager they might ever come in contact with! Ignite a spark...

All statistics obtained from chiff.com and readfaster.com

Wk 3 Comment: Stacie's Blog Post

Stacie wrote:

YOU CHOOSE, WHICH WILL IT BE?

“But our universe is alive with sparks. We have at our fingertips an infinite capacity to light a spark of possibility. Passion, rather than fear, is the igniting force. Abundance, rather than scarcity, is the context.”

~Zander & Zander

As I read this book, I have to shake my head and laugh. I’ve read these concepts before. They are beautiful and positive; just what a downtrodden, negative world needs to hear. Then it hits me. Oh ya…this is all biblical truth. Yes. These are biblical principals spoken throughout the bible by Jesus himself. Take for example the 4 practices for chapter 9, “Lighting a Spark.” Every one of these principles is about investing positive life into others.

1. Imagine that people are an invitation for enrollment

2. Stand ready to participate, willing to be moved and inspired

3. Offer that which lights you up.

4. Have no doubt that others are eager to catch the spark.

The most amazing aspect of this book and the remarkable point of this chapter is that it is our passion that holds the spark, the igniter. Ben Zander has used his passion for music to invest positive life into the people around him. The spark he invests is positive thinking.

“The secret was, I believe, that I genuinely wanted to share the music with the children, and I trusted their ability to respond to it and to be partners with me in our whole undertaking (Zander & Zander, 2000)

The other message that spoke to me in the reading was the concept of “the downward spiral.” This is the idea that our negativity thinking limits our possibilities in every area of our lives whether this is work, family, or personal goals. I know that I personally can be caught in the trap of negative energy in a quick hurry, especially when I’m frustrated with my current circumstances. Being a teacher is so hard when we are fighting unmotivated students, ridiculous standardized tests, and a scary economic situation, and sometimes, the weight can pull me into a downward spiral. However, I’m reminded to find the positive in it all, and I can say without a doubt that I love working with kids and the slightest possibility that I might spark or inspire something within them. When I look at my career from that perspective, the rests seems to melt away for another day. In fact, I like the idea of lighting a spark and participating in enrollment so much, that I am going to paint the phrase “Light a Spark” on the wall in my classroom. I’ve already commissioned the art teacher, who is also my great friend, to begin painting. Hopefully this phrase will remind me on those difficult days why I do what it is that I do. After all we all have a choice to make. Will we be the negative force or the positive force in the lives of others today?

 

Abbie Toy said...

Stacie,

Wow - I was blown away by this post! You gave me a whole new perspective on the reading (relating it to the Bible) and I feel so inspired by your words! I absolutely LOVE the fact that you are painting your classroom wall with the words "ignite a spark!" The kids are going to see that every single day and be moved to become better! Also, the photo you included with your post fit so perfectly! Great job, Stac!!

Wk 3 Comment: Kathy Kellen's Blog

Kathy says:

Am I ready to ignite new sparks?

As I continued the reading for this week I considered what I am passionate about...and about the practice of enrollment. The Zanders (2000, p. 126) list the steps to this practice:" 1. Imagine that people are an invitation for enrollment. 2. Stand ready to participate, willing to be moved and inspired. 3. Offer that which lights you up. 4. Have no doubt that others are eager to catch the spark. "

These are excellent reminders to me right now as I feel resistant to going back to work. EMDT is an all-consuming passion for me and I have loved having these past 3 months to focus fully on it! When thoughts creep in questioning how I'm going to finish this degree while starting the school year, I have to remind myself of the first 8 months of this program when I was teaching full time throughout!

So in two short weeks....

My fellow staff members and even more importantly, my students will be invitations for enrollment. I will be rested and ready to participate as a team member and facilitator, and eager to be inspired by the bright faces and personalities of my students. I will continue to offer them all I have learned in EMDT, and my passion for music and relationships. I will have no doubt that I will have students with shining eyes who will far exceed my expectations!

 

 

 

Abbie Toy said...

@Kathy -
I always love to hear your perspective on the reading, because often our thoughts intertwine:) You have such a "spark" about you, and I have no doubt that the kids see that and begin to ignite with passion for music!

I have returned to school and miss having my days free to explore ideas we have learned from Full Sail, but just remember we only have a few weeks left to enjoy this wonderful program:) I keep telling myself - be present, be present! Good job, Kathy!

Wk 3 Reading - Be Present

The reading for this week really hit home, because it talked about something I really have trouble with:  Being present in the moment.  I often find myself worrying about tomorrow or trying to change the past - when I need to let go of all the resistance in my mind and just be in the here and now. I know my life would be more stressfree if I could begin doing this in my day-to-day existence.

A quote from our textbook that I found interesting can be found on p. 102:

"Mistakes can be like ice.  If we resist them, we may keep on slipping into a posture of defeat.  If we include mistakes in our definition of performance, we are likely to glide through them and appreciate the beauty of the longer run."

What an idea - include mistakes in our perception of getting things done! From a young age we are taught to do things right the first time, to expect punishment for mistakes, and to be too hard on ourselves.  I want my son to know that everyone makes mistakes and they are a part of life - it is how you handle those mistakes that defines you. This book has been truly eye-opening for me...

Wk2 Free Choice - Make a Contribution

Just a few ideas of how you can be a contribution within your school (I'm going to be working on some of these myself):  

• give a genuine compliment to at least 5 students today
• make cookies to put in the teacher's lounge
• surprise a co-worker with a soda and candy bar on their desk for their break
• offer to take a co-worker's recess duty one day
• surprise students with brand-new pencils that have your school's name on them
• use stickers when grading papers today
• focus on one student a week and do something to make them feel special
• flash a BIG smile to everyone you pass in the hallway
• leave the school secretary a note of appreciation on his or her desk
• be a secret santa during the holidays
• work in the concession stand at the next sporting event held at the school
• invest time in writing a grant for supplies for your school
• organize an appreciation dinner for the custodians
• invite a guest speaker to come in to speak with the students

These are just a few ideas, but feel free to add your suggestions in the comment area! 

Wk 2 Comment - Sarah's Blog Post

Sarah wrote:

Starfish story-I’ve always loved this story because it is not about how many but about simply making a difference. This can very easily relate to teaching. So often we get caught up in numbers that we forget the person behind each number. Every student is an actual person and not just some lifeless object categorized under a certain letter of the alphabet. Each of them are stars waiting to be discovered. In a world where there is so much negativity and an unreasonable “standard” of what one should be like according to the media, it’s no wonder that many of our own students may feel like they are stranded on the shore, far from where they belong. Our job as teachers is to put them back into the ocean to help them realize that they are needed out there; that their contributions are gladly accepted; and that they too can make a difference. Even if we feel we may have only made a difference in one student’s life, it makes all the difference. Often times we don’t even see the impact we have on students. They usually go unknown. Think of the stories you hear on the radio or from others of how their teacher made a great impact on them. That teacher was probably completely unaware of it. As we do our best to be positive and treat them as the cherished and treasured starfish they are, the rest is up to them to continue steadfast on their journey. 

Contribution idea-Not about what did you get done today but what did you do to make a difference. 

White sheets of paper-Interesting concept and idea. It is important to be humble enough to ask for feedback. In addition, it allows us to know our learners on a much deeper level so that we can meet their needs and teach them in an engaging manner. As students are able to give feedback, they are also contributing to the class. They then feel they are being heard and are more apt to participate since their ideas are being implemented. 

After one of the orchestra members is called upon to conduct, he expresses, “I have been so critical of conductors, and now I see that what you have to do is as demanding as playing an instrument” (Zander & Zander, 2000, p. 73) I know I have been guilty of being critical of the ways in which I have been taught in previous classroom experiences. As I became a teacher, I then realized I was doing the very thing I had a great distaste for as a student. Now, I try to focus on the positive aspects of what my professors’ offer, so that I can emulate those same teaching methods in my own classroom. 

Abbie Toy

@Sarah -

I love how you took the starfish story from our textbook and applied it to teaching. I also liked the story because it really puts things in perspective! I completely agree when you said that it is our job as teachers to put students "back in the ocean" and help them realize they are needed in the world. Great job, Sarah! I enjoyed your post!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 04:02 PM

Wk 2 Comment - Kathy's Blog Post

Kathy wrote:

A very wise friend gave me the advice to truly think of myself as a contributor to my section as I played the final two performances of Meredith Willson's "the Music Man". In the past ten years I have had the privilege to play in summer show pit orchestras with gifted musicians...especially in our woodwind section. "Being a contribution" (Zander, 2000) is embodied in that experience. Concentrating on the blend, on how our parts complement or play off of one another produces wonderful results for the section, and orchestra as a whole.

This show that just closed was especially poignant for me. I watched a young man take on a lead role that was a perfect fit for him, as his acting and singing made the character totally believable. But also I was transported back in time to a phone call from his mother saying she had a very nice eight year old son who wanted to take piano lessons and would I teach him...and the years that followed sitting beside him at the piano nurturing his musical talent and helping him to reach his goals.
That's what teachers do, and our students can make us extremely proud of them...it's our job, but also who we are. The impact we have left may never be truly known, or it may be incredibly humbling, as it was to me last night, to hear a past student say "everything I've accomplished musically is because of you"! I feel unbelievably honored to have been a contribution in this young man's life, and he has blessed me by being a contribution in mine as well!