Wk3 Reading: Art of Possibilities Chapter 5-8 Blogpost
There was more great info – or I should say reminders – in this weeks reading. I am still enjoying the book and the stories shared within but this week found more of other inspirational and guide books sort of “wrapped up” in the book. Not that the message isn’t good or a different take on it – just that there is an echo of those other books within this ones message.
Chapter 5 was a reminder that we do not teach alone. Every single person at you school – from the financial aid person to the security guards – has an impact on not just the student’s journey through your institution but also YOUR ability to impact the student at well. There is great strength in networking with others outside of the classroom to help establish a foundation from which your teaching can soar to the next level.
Chapter 6 is a delightful reminder that we can have fun at our job and in our lives and that will lead to a richer return. Prepare yourself for the role you have in your classroom of course, but don’t forget to enjoy the experience and make it your own. Laughing and letting go of the minutia to see the overall picture is a better option for our lives and increases the impact to those around us.
Chapter 7 reminds me a great deal of the message of Daoism [Taoism] – that we each have a place in things and by being in the way of things allows us to make changes to them. By focusing only on the ‘way things are’ and not actually being present in that moment our thoughts are shooting over in directions and aspects that may already be addressed if we clear away the clutter of the what if. This is a hard chapter – it is difficult to be present in any given moment in your life let alone EVERY single moment. Just trying though makes us better equipped to enact change.
Chapter 8 access the passion that drives us and use it throughout your life. I hope that each of us entered the teaching profession due to our passion for education. As we travel through the foibles of various education institutions it is important to hold onto that spark – or even more importantly to reignite it! Grab onto what we love and bring that passion and energy into what we do – make your classroom a ‘one-buttock’ classroom! [that had to be said – as I laughed out loud at that particular story and hope you did too!]
Response:
@ Lionel
Great work in breaking down what the chapters meant to you. I pretty much came to similar conclusions as you did after reading them. I do think that the overall theme of these chapters was just how powerful positive thinking can be for us in ways that will bring about positive change to those around us, whether it be in the classroom or just casual interaction with others. Out of these 4 chapters, I think I am more in tune with the concept of 'Rule Number 6' as I try to not take things as seriously as I could make them, as that can lead to the downward spiral of negativity. We do have to make sure that we do seek out that passion that keeps us wanting to teach our students and I do hope that you or I never lose that passion and energy as we strive to impart that passion and drive to our students.
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