Wk 4 Comment #2: Matt Leskey

Matt's post:

Week 4 – The Art of Possibility

I’m still trying to wrap my brain around the concepts in the book. Of course, the authors realized that it would take some work to adopt the ideas that they present, which is why the book doesn’t have chapters, but practices. Like anything that you want to excel at, you and I will need to practice to make these ideas work. I think that I may have to practice a little more than others to get it, but I am tired of the downward spiral. The concept of enrollment and lighting a spark is something that I always wanted to do in the classroom sometimes achieved. The idea that you don’t coerce someone to your point of view, but ignite the same passion to achieve an end is a very powerful idea. It also goes against a lot of what you see in our society with the “you are for us or against us” crowd. When you follow this idea of enrollment, you aren’t dragging someone along with you; you are embarking together on a trip. I have to admit; the “being the board” idea is very difficult for me. One of the problems is my mind constantly pops back to Caddyshack and the “be the ball” scene. The idea of taking responsibility without taking blame or assigning fault goes well outside most of my experiences. Then again, I did have something similar happen to the car crash example happen to me a few years ago. As I was driving, a car came through the median turning lane in the wrong direction (right past the Do Not Enter) sign, and nearly T-boned my car. He clipped the rear of my car and tore the bumper loose, doing some very expensive damage. To say that I was furious might be an understatement, because it was just so dumb. The blame in this instance was very, very obvious to me. Still, driving anywhere has some inherent risks that you have to accept. The area I was driving through has a large population of college students. Young male drivers have higher insurance rates because they tend to do things that are not very safe. I know that there are risks to driving, which is why I have insurance. Thinking about it several years removed, it seems obvious that the particular stretch of road had a higher risk associated with it and that I would have to be aware of it. There is what feels like a Zen quality to the book that I would like to explore further. It is definitely going to take me some time to figure out what the authors are getting at, but I think it may be worthwhile. Like I said before, I am very tired of getting caught in the downward spiral.

My response:

Matt,

Very well thought out post. I am with you on the practices in this book being very hard to implement. It's not a simple read and do. When I think about the stories and practices they seem to hit a nerve so to speak. At one point they are very foreign to my thinking and actions but on the other hand they seem to make perfect sense as well. The example you use of not coercing others but rather igniting their passion is a very powerful message. I think ultimately for me, the practices in the book are to important to ignore even-though they may be a lifelong endeavor.

Best of luck in Month 12!

Wk 4 Comment #1: David Hotler

David's post:

Week 4: The Art of Possibility 9 - 12

This week’s reading has really hit home with me. I am all about action and not talk. I feel that people who talk also blame and nothing every changes. This weeks reading is of the contrary. In chapter ten he talks about the choices I can make to change my world of possibility and untimely anything. I remind myself of this everyday. In fact when growing up anytime we had a tough time or an unexplainable thing would happen that was hard to deal with, my mom would say, “Let go and Let God.” Now I know this is a simple thing but when you really think about it or better, actually DO it, you realized that letting go and not worrying opens up lots of time to DO other things. And doing is what this week and life is all about. If you don’t like something do something to change it or change your opinion about it. Nothing else can happen and you can never expect others to change it for you.

It is from my mom that I also have that same drive to help others. Paying forward moments of opportunity by stepping aside and letting others shine is how I live my life! I am a foot washer. I put other before myself even when it hurts. I try hard to help those around me. In turn, and this is no joke, I am the happiest man in the world. I have not a single complaint in the world. I have a beautiful girlfriend, I have my dream job, I travel, I own real estate, I am fit. I have everything in life I want and I have no complaints about anything. I give credit to paying forward happiness to others for my own happiness. This is a perfect example of how this author is not telling me anything new but instead phrasing it in a way that is new and eye opening. I love it.

In response to creating a framework practice I have found that little notes about big ideas all over my life are perfect reminders of the things I need to hear to keep me in the right state of mind. A note about turning the other cheek in my car helps prevent road rage. A note about accepting everyone at my desk helps remind me that every student is different not wrong (and other teachers just have other ideas). After seeing these notes over and over in the same places the actions they evoke become habit and need no reminders.

The last practice is what I think I do best. I constantly find myself in the position of networker or connector. I seems to know someone who can do something for every situation in my life. Need an oil change, I know a guy. Need a banner, I know a guy. In some situations I am simply the missing piece to a more complicated puzzle and I am always will to fit myself into that puzzle. Someone needs a logo design, I can do it or I know a guy. You need a sign made, you want a website, show me how to photoshop this into that. These things to me are easy and readily available in my life but to others it is a large obstacle on the path of their quest in life. I help them pass it and they are able to move on. I have not done this for others many times but have had this done to me many times. In some situations I meet with someone that seems to be on my path for longer than just one favor and we begin to work in trade together. I do this and you do that. We become a team of strengths that work towards something bigger.

This image is from Creative Commons and was found on a Google Image search.

My comments:

David,

Excellent post. I like how you talk about having people enter your life for a reason and that it ends up becoming a partnership for building or creating something bigger than if you were to do it on your own. I have found the same to be very true in my life as well. People come into our lives at the perfect time to help us, guide us, teach us, or change our path for a reason. I enjoyed how the Zanders wrote about We in the last chapter as well. Very appropriate for the things we do as teachers.

Good luck with month 12!

Wk 4 Reading: Art of Possiblity

The final chapters of the Art of Possibility do a great job of wrapping up all the stories and ideas of the early chapters. The book builds to a phenomenal insightful idea. We have the potential to be, do, see, and inspire more! It reminds me of Jamaica's motto: "Out of many, one people".

The Zander's write so eloquently and powerfully about inspiring and pushing others to reach their potential and as a teacher many of these anecdotes are reminders that what we do has an impact whether we realize it our not. I can remember running into a former student years after teaching him and his recalling how I inspired him to pursue his current career path. I was moved by his comments and it reminded me how much I love what I do. Sometimes we get lost in the daily problems and setbacks that we face and in these economic times it is so easy to see the negative but inspiring reminders are all around us if we chose to see them.

From page 139:

As an educator nothing is more powerful than that passionate energy that allows us to connect, express, communicate, and create!

I have enjoyed this book immensely and plan on sharing it with others.

flickr user: Gary

Wk 4 Publishing_Leadership Project

My final presentation for the publishing leadership project was on Thursday, May 26th. I decided to use Google's Presentation web app for my presentation because I wanted to keep it as simple as possible for my audience to be able to follow along. I joined the presentations on Monday as an observer to get some ideas and provide encouragement and feedback for my peers. I think that was a very smart move on my part because it helped me to see some concrete examples and have a realistic view of what I was going to be able to do. Another reason I choose to use Google Presentation was that it would allow me easy access to my presentation no matter where I was or what computer I was using.

I choose to submit my proposal to present at GAETC which is in Atlanta in November of this year. I wanted to present at ISTE or GAETC because I actually enjoy presenting at conferences. Writing for a journal on the other hand, not so much. Therefore the decision to present was an easy one. I also like the fact that I get to meet lots of great people and see some excellent presentations and speakers.

My presentation:

Click here to go to my presentation directly.

Link to 1st blog post about publishing/leadership project.
Link to 2nd blog post about publishing/leadership project.

Wk 4 Publishing_Leadership Project part 2 of 2: Think Out Loud

For the final Publishing/Leadership proposal we had to narrow down our choices. The reason I am choosing to present to GAETC is twofold; first, it is in Atlanta, which is conveniently located in the same state I am in and I am familiar with this conference because I have attended and presented here. My other choices were to submit to present at ISTE or FETC. I didn't choose these two because they would have been harder for me to attend and the timing of those conferences is not as convenient as GAETC. ISTE is being held in Philadelphia in two weeks, therefore I would have had to submit to present next year. FETC is held in Orlando, in January and my school district's budget is very tight, as are everyones budgets in the current economic climate, therefore out of state travel is very hard to get approved.

If you are interested in these conferences, I have linked each of them below.

GAETC also allows me to connect with schools in our region.

ISTE:

FETC:

Wk 3 Comment #2: Jana Claybrook

Jana's blog:

My major highlight in this week’s reading was the question from chapter:

How much greatness are we willing to grant people? 

I think this is a valid point whether working with colleagues or students. 

Are we willing to pass the baton?

image by 

tableatny's photostream

Passing the baton in your classroom could mean changing your instruction from teacher given to student driven. The “sage on the stage” disappears and the self-directed learning takes its place. Imagine using Ben Zander’s technique of the “silent conductor” within your own classroom. I wonder what my own students would say if given the chance and called upon to lead. 

I’m sort of in a leadership position at my school district and reading the stories from students made me rethink my leadership style. I must remember the point Amanda made about leadership not being a responsibility but in fact a shining gift. I think I got so comfortable leading that I forgot to shine. 

I know I keep going on about his “white sheet” stories but they made such an impression on me. My Middle School is about to begin the “Leader in Me” program based on Stephen R. Covey's 7 Habits and as I read this book I can’t help thinking about our endless possibilities.

My comments:

Jana,

I like the image of passing the baton being tied to changing from teacher driven to student driven. I think the Zanders offer so much insight for teachers and leaders in our field. Our schools could benefit from some introspection on many levels. I really liked how you stated that your leadership position is a shining gift. I am in a similar position in my district and I think that I need to remember what an awesome position it is. Great insight. Thank you.

Wk 3 Comment #1: Thanh Kirby

Thanh's blog post:

By dave@dmwcreative.com at www.morguefile.com

As I continue reading the Art of Possibility, I'm finding that I’m really enjoying this book and have gotten more out of this book then all of the other books in the program combined.  What a difference it is compared to the likes of Creswell (Remember that one?)  As a musician and teacher I can really understand and relate to the stories Benjamin Zander tells in the book.  As a fellow music teacher and conductor, it’s been awesome to gather insights and lessons from one of the greats.  I especially appreciate his candor about making mistakes on the podium and being truly honest with his musicians.  We all make mistakes and as he stated in the 7^th chapter about the Way things Are, we must not be afraid to make mistakes and to strive to play to the lines of our limitations.  It is there where our true artfulness and passion will come through.  I think the adage, “Put the pedal to the medal is an appropriate analogy”.

Through the themes in chapters 5 – 8; Lead from any chair, Rule number 6, The Way Things Are and Giving Way to Passion, I can't help but see how closely related the lessons and concepts the Zanders illustrate are to spirituality.  As I think about it, their discussions on opening yourself up to Creativity, Possibility and Passion, really do connect with the same principles you would hear when speaking about spirituality.  Spirituality entails going beyond your self and thinking in a different manner.   It involves letting go barriers of control that inhibit spiritual realization and means putting trust outside of yourself.  In chapter 7, Zander describes how composers will often try to write music at the extreme level of ones instrumental ability.  When this happens the strain and anguish of playing that particular passage comes through in the music.  It is this strain where true art and expression occur and the connection between this and spirituality exists.  In order to become truly passionate and truly spiritual we have to be able to wholly commit and admonish ourselves to the task at hand.

My comments:

Thanh,

Excellent commentary. I agree with the spirituality aspect that you point out. I often thought of eastern philosophical thought while reading this book. In many ways it is very similar to zen teachings. As they state in the book, letting go of the ego lets the true self shine through. Very powerful statements.