Wk4 Choice "Coda"

A coda is an ending. In music, I'm fine with codas... in real life, not so much! "Da Capo al Coda" means to go back to the beginning and at the sign, take the coda.
Month 12 is the sign....

I take great hope and encouragement from this passage in The Art of Possibility: "Look around. This day, these people in your life, a baby's cry, an upcoming meeting--suddenly they seem neither good nor bad. They shine forth brilliantly as they are. Awake restored!...to the dream revived." (Zander, 2000 p. 200)

*really, it is ok to laugh at my first video clip! I do!! And note I said "Jump to the Coda" not "Jump off the Bridge!" :)

Wk 4 Publishing and Leadership Project Part 3 of 3 "The Plan"

The plan is to submit my presentation to Mary Elsner at the Wisconsin Center for Music Education and work with Renee Hanson (critical friend, EMDT alumni) to pitch the idea of offering a one day workshop there to not only do my presentation, but share her technology in music experiences and give Full Sail University EMDTMS DOUBLE positive exposure! :)

Even this morning when I woke up, I thought that it might have been easier to write a paper on this action research project and submit it for publishing, but for me, the greater growth experience will come from presenting this.
Largely from reflecting on the reading, I feel open to the possibilities and where this initial presentation may lead!

Wk 4 Comment Joe Huber

"BLAME" by Joe Huber 2010

Week 4 Reading Misplaced Blame or Beyond the Board

"The first part is to declare 'I am the framework for everything that happens in my life'" (Zander, 2000).

It's easy to get caught up in the blaming game. Fingers are pointed and words are exchanged. Each side strives to make their point so effectively (and sometimes loudly) that they don't often hear what the other person is trying to say. Sometimes this is the outcome of the particular game that we have chosen to play. Far too often we feel like we are at the whim of some larger force or some grand scheme when, in reality, we have the ability to shape our own destinies simply in viewing the world from reality glasses.

Far too often I've seen the fault and blame waltz, and sometimes I've been a willing participant. After all, it's easy to blame a slight fumble or misstep on your dance partner claiming that they have two left feet or stepped on yours.

It's that system of reward and punishment that we use to measure accountability that facilitates this behavior. Consider that high stakes standardized test that is administered to our students each spring, and you'll see what I mean. Students either score high, which results in a reward for them (passing to the next grade level), reward for the school (A status earns prestige and more money), and rewards for the staff (continued employment). Should these students not do well on the test, they are held back, schools lose funding, and employees are fired. For two years in a row, my school has failed to make AYP, despite being an A+ school. The first year we were told it was the fault of the teachers because we weren't differentiating enough. The teachers in turn blamed the students saying that they failed the test on purpose or just weren't smart enough. This year there was another round of blame, but I didn't pay attention to it. I zoned out.

I would rather be the board than one of the players this year. Maybe those students who didn't win the game last year did so because they really didn't want to play it. At some point we have to realize that the rules were written by adults, for adults. Children are the innocent pawns that are forced to play the board game when they would rather play a video game. They are bored with the board.

In typing this I've just had an epiphany. I don't want to be the board, I want to be the playing field.
Zander, R.S., & Zander, B. (2000). The art of possibility. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press.

kathykellen said...
Joe,
Your writing was very thought-provoking to me!!
Especially, "I would rather be the board than one of the players this year. Maybe those students who didn't win the game last year did so because they really didn't want to play it. At some point we have to realize that the rules were written by adults, for adults. Children are the innocent pawns that are forced to play the board game when they would rather play a video game. They are bored with the board.
In typing this I've just had an epiphany. I don't want to be the board, I want to be the playing field."

You truly put this in amazingly clear perspective! Thanks for sharing it!
I hope that we all will see less "bored with the board" this school year, as we implement what we have learned here!

Source:http://joemacblog20.blogspot.com/2010/08/week-4-reading-misplaced-blame-or.html

Wk 4 Comment Abbie Swartzentruber

Image from Abbie's Blog
Wk 4 Reading- Deepest Fear

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous-
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It is not just in some of us: it is in everyone,
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same."
-Marianne Williamson

I found this quote in Ch. 11 (Frameworks for Possibility) in our textbook, and it opened up a world of possibility for me! I have so much fear in my life (which I mentioned in the discussion boards for this week) and this quote identifies the fear, reminds me I am a child of God, and encourages me to be myself without fear!

I also enjoyed the story in Ch. 11 about a woman named Alice Kahana and the very last thing she ever said to her brother. She has lived the rest of her life vowing to "not say anything that could not stand as the last thing she ever said." What if we thought about each thing we say to another human being as being the last? What would you change about what you say to your friends, family, and even strangers? I would change a lot of conversations I have...I would think more before I speak. What a great lesson to learn!

kathykellen said...
Abbie,
I loved that quote by Marianne Williamson as well, and almost used it! (Again we are on the same wavelength!) :) Fear can limit us like nothing else (and I speak from experience)! "Cast your anxiety on Him, for He cares for YOU! " 1 Peter 5:7

I totally agree with your statement, "What if we thought about each thing we say to another human being as being the last? What would you change about what you say to your friends, family, and even strangers? I would change a lot of conversations I have...I would think more before I speak. What a great lesson to learn! "
It IS a great lesson to learn, and one that will enrich everyone's lives!!
I have no doubt, Abbie, that you are a "shining light" who has grown even brighter from all you have learned and experienced this year! May you continue to grow even bolder and brighter...... Your warmth and light have touched me in a significant way, and I cherish your friendship!

Source: http://abbiemacfullsail.blogspot.com/2010/08/wk-4-reading-deepest-fear.html

Wk 4 Reading "WE all Have a Story..."

Each of us has a story about our EMDT year. We have shared the same courses and course directors, yet each of us has had a unique experience, because of the "life" that "happened" during the past 11 months.
A huge part of my experience can be related to the "WE story"! (Zander, 2000) "The WE story points to relationship rather than to individuals, to communication patterns, gestures, and movement rather than to discrete objects and identities." (p.183)
The WE encouraged growth. WE are each other's cheerleaders, support, and have shared laughter, prayers and tears. Competition was set aside, instead there is appreciation of unique styles and the focus on the "unseen threads that connect us all" (p.183)
The WE helps me to see the possibilities beyond the end of this journey to the beginning of another.
I am SO thankful for my EMDT WE story!

Wk 4 Reading "Being the Board"

Honestly, I am not sure what I think about this practice of naming myself as the board on which the game is being played. (Zander, 2000). I am in the midst of a really hard time in my family, pretty much feel like things are crumbling around me, am clinging to God who IS in control, and declaring myself to be the "board" just doesn't feel right. Will apologies be all the "restorative balm" that is needed? Will choosing to be the board reinstate me on the path I was walking until a couple of days ago?

What CAN I take from this chapter in my current circumstances? Perhaps the quote at the end of the chapter: "This practice launches you on a soaring journey of transformation and development with others, a completely different route than the one of managing relationships to avoid conflict. It calls for courage and compassion. You do not find compassion simply by listening to people; you open the channel by removing the barriers to tenderness within you. Among the rewards are self-respect, connection of the deepest and most vital kind, and a straight road to making a difference." (p.159)
Hoping I can find that different route...

Source: Zander, B. & Zander, R. (2000). The art of possibility. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press

Wk3 Publishing and Leadership Project Part 2 of 3 Options

Options....
I have talked extensively about this situation with my close friend Renee Hanson (EMDT alumni, and fellow music teacher). Although, Mel Pontius (Wisconsin Dept. of Instruction) will still be a contact for me, my action research does not fall under the category of SCLA (Student Centered Learning in the Arts). That organization may be a vehicle for gathering music teachers at a meeting for me to present to.
But even more exciting, is for me to contact Mary Elsner at the Wisconsin Center for Music Education and pitch the idea of Renee and I jointly presenting a one day workshop with my Action Research presentation and exploring the use of technology in music education. Since Renee is also an EMDT grad, this would be doubly good for Full Sail exposure!
Beyond that, although not accepting applications at this point in time, the Wisconsin Music Educators Association Conference would be another venue for the future. All of these options are taking a huge step outside my comfort zone, which I know is what is supposed to happen, but I'm also trying to be realistic.