That is all I can say. Once again, I am amazed and inspired by the great work my fellow students have produced. The presentations during the Wimba were great. Not only were they well designed, but everyone did such a great job guiding us through it.
You guys rock and I am glad I have had the opportunity to go through this process with such a talented group.
I would like to present my project at the Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) conference that takes place every February in Austin, Texas. Before I actually apply, I am going to recruit a couple of the teachers in my CBR cohort to present with me. Here is my presentation as it stands now. You can view the instructors notes by clicking action at the bottom of the window once the project launches.
To me, this is one of the most powerful quotes in the book The Art of Possibility. It is reminder about the importance of the moment and what is at stake. Indeed, it is the task of us all to produce and procure the betterment of others. We are truly one big WE.
Although this desire to work in consort with his fellow man for the greater good should be the responsibility of everyone, it is even more so for those of us who have chosen to teach. It is by definition the core of our chosen path. This quote reminds us that our relationships with our students are dynamic and sometimes unpredictable. Educators talk about 'the teachable moment.' That elusive moment when all is in line. Eureka! Epiphany. They get it. But, how do we know when we are upon this moment? Is there a sign? Any experienced teacher knows that sometimes it is apparent. It is obvious, but it is still hard to define. These moments are not what the quote is referring to however. The quote is reminding us of that moment that we aren't aware.
Occasionally I am amazed by a former student. He or she will come and talk to me about some moment or lesson or incident that transpired in my class. Often, to me, it was not a moment of great consequence. It was just another stop on the path, a click of the clock. As my former student talks about this moment I can see a spark. I can see passion. Usually, I feel bad that I do not remember the moment as fondly or vividly or at all. It actually makes me feel like I am not holding up my part of the contract
It always reminds me of the power that we have in the classroom. Like the quote says we truly do not know what sparks may ignite passion. It may be imperceptible. Because of this dynamic, as a teacher we need to be on and bring it everyday. We are always making impressions and shaping our students. We do not want to miss that ever important teachable moment.
There are so many concepts of my life I can apply Zanders philosophies to both personally and professionally. However, as I write this passage, at this very moment my thoughts are with the five at-risk youth I am trying to work with. I stress trying because as life ‘is what it is’ for me, I had to realize it is the same for them. I may not be able to change them, well influence their beliefs is a better and more appropriate phrase. I can only lead by example, show them I sincerely love and care for them and want the best that life can offer, feed them positivity and show them the possible outcome.
How I pay-forward is in my passion and unending desire to help, I tell those I meet how I feel about them, I am not afraid to show or express myself. Even when my kindness is misunderstood or turned away it hurts but as the Zanders stated Life just is and there are things we have to accept. We make the attempts and if lucky and pushed hard enough sometimes the results are right on. Truth and reality, however, lets me know it may not always be that way. I am only responsible for the effort not necessarily the outcome. Which is why Zanders speaks so against blaming oneself.
I can only hope for the future of these five young men. I know that I have touched them in more ways than they express, for I see the changes, the smiles, the report cards, and occasionally I get an actual “thank you Elaine for helping me.” What is hard to muster is that it is not from all five of them. That two or three of them are showing signs of regression and that is difficult. I asked the questions still, “Why aren’t they listening to me? Why can’t they seem that the pathway they are choosing will hold the possibility of assured struggles? What didn’t I do right?” So I follow Zander’s advice and can only focus on the part that I played, while continuing to be there and just simply do the best I can for or by them. I have no power over all the circumstances in their lives. My job wasn’t to fix them but to show them a better way and hope that in those learnings, the young men would gain a better light of themselves just enough to make a change. I have left the spark at times I see it turn into a fire that ignites the positive changes I mentioned. So I will hope that if the fire goes out that maybe the spark I left will ignite again but at a time that may be better suited for them.
I have met many great and inspiring people during my journey at Full Sail. I hope that at some point I will get back on track financially and obtain that career that will allow me to work with others who have the talent of loving, giving, and receiving. I look forward to my growth for I know that I will continue to use that growth to inspire others and to watch all the imaginings come true.
Posted by Elaine Scott
My response...
This post is very inspiring. The efforts you have put forth for these young people is something you should be proud of and the impact you have had on their lives is immeasurable. You are dead on with your last statement. The journey with Full Sail has been filled with many inspirational individuals and you are definitely one of them. Keep making a difference Elaine!
WK 4 Reading Ch. 9-12 "Enrollment is not about forcing, cajoling, tricking, bargaining, pressuring or guilt-tripping someone into doing something your way. Enrollment is the art and practice of generating a spark of possibility for others to share."
If anything could describe how I operate with team mates and clients on a daily basis it would be the above quote from the Zanders book. After reading the story about the children and the orchestra I found myself in tears. Part of me realized that A) for the last year I have been in the presence of teachers that have that passion required in spite of all that has opposed them. What a gift that has been. B) All that I do is for something, even though I may not ever see the results in individuals 5 years from now.
The one skill I have learned is identifying and voicing my mistakes. In voicing them I am staking my claim in humanity. Jumping on the high road of moral superiority always proves to be cumbersome and bumpy. I love this quote: Gracing your self with the responsibility for everything that happens in your life leaves your spirit whole, and leaves you free to choose again. And thank goodness that we all get to!
This book while I thought in the beginning had very little to offer me has made my top 10 must reads.
Posted by Tania Shavor
My Response...
I agree that there is a lot of power in that quote. Often we try to bend others for our own benefit as opposed to truly offering those around us a chance to better themselves. I try to be there for my students, but I know, if I'm being truly honest with myself, there have been times when my motivations were self-centered. I am going to use the second part of that quote as a guiding principle in my classes this year. Thanks for this reflection, Tania.
I must admit... Many of the principles discussed in The Art of Possibility are concepts I completely believe in and have used as guides during my life. In fact, at times while reading it I have wondered if there was a point to continuing (The irony does not escape me). While reading, I have had a lot of 'of course' and 'naturally' moments.
And then it happened... Epiphany! I have two sons (Drayton 5 and Dalton 3) who I love with all my heart. Lately, my oldest son and I have started developing a bit of a contentious relationship. He seems to challenge me at every turn. Of course, I, having a tendency to be too authoritarian, haven't budged. In fact, I have often responded by increasing disciplinary action, rules, and restrictions. Often he has left me shaking my head wondering why he is so stubborn and uncooperative, wondering why he seems reluctant to submit and bend to my will.
Well, I am humbled to admit that chapters 6 and 7 hit me like a ton of bricks. When dealing with my son, I am letting my calculating self rule the day. Instead of accepting the fact that much of his behavior is simply a result of being 5 and being a product of his stubborn and often uncooperative father, I have been attributing it to flaws or deficiencies in him. Do not get me wrong. I understand he still needs guidance and, at times, a firm hand, but I need to understand that he is five and he, although he seemingly has inherited some of my traits, is his own unique perfect person. I have to be a more accepting guide as I help him figure out this path called life. I love him and I need to look at changing my approach to fatherhood as opposed to attempting to force change upon him.
By the way, it was also humbling that my arrogant 'I already know this so why should I read this' attitude that I expressed earlier was also put in it's place. Gee, was I possibly just rationalizing reasons not to do the work? And shockingly reading led to learning. Who could have guessed?
Here is a video that Drayton shared with me that reminds me of all of this. It's about 'The Way Things Are.' After all, we have to let a 5 year old be a 5 year old and a duck be a duck.
This weeks wimba left my head spinning. I love the book but I could hardly focus on that part. So much to do...
I do appreciate the clarification on all of these up and coming issues (did you say meany pants?). I need to come up with a better plan. I have let technical issues, the laws of inertia due to a week off, and personal habits become a bit of hindrance during this month. Re-focusing as I type...
It's both exciting and scary to be getting near the end. I am anxious to get my publishing project up to speed and I look forward to presenting to the class. I may even make a live Wimba appearance this week. I know... rare this time of year. I'm like the southern bigfoot.
Ohhhh, although I took in the archive I still want to participate in the 'pop show and tell.'
"Are You Ready for some Football?"
That is my show and tell. Looks like the NFL will have its house in order to start the season. I am ecstatic. I was worried about my Sundays. What was I going to do? Be productive... Spend time with family...
8:08 PM
Matthew E. Park
Wow...
