EDM 613 MAC Week 4 Reading "Art Of Possibility" Chapters 9-12

As I was reading the last of the book, I was intrigued by chapter 9's message. Better to do things in person. The author conveyed that this was not out of social reasons but much much more. By enrolling individuals into joining the venture through passion igniting passion, it appeared that No's become Yes more often. It was interesting to read how manipulation, cajoling, bribery, threats, or promises were not the basis of enrolling others into the action desired. Wouldn't it be so wonderful if more people could read this book and do what is right, not what is easy ( politicians perhaps?).

Chapter 10 quickly reminded me of a poem that I have always remembered from high school- Invictus ( movie of same name)


INVICTUS
by William Ernest Henley

OUt of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Chapter 10, for me, is about being Active, the maker of my own course. Don't be the victim.

The framework for possibility is mentioned in chapter 11. My favorite part is about the teacher who also shaves their head to show support for the child. What a beautiful selfless act. This teacher became a part of the solution, not a part of the problem. The vision of possibility as well as action started with the act of doing, not watching.

At the end of the book, Chapter 12 was about the WE factor. So many times, people in our lives want to use the blame sentence - YOU did this, He made me, THey were....As an educator, I hear frequently- but teacher- he made me talk. Parents say to me- but teacher, you don't give me kid enough attention.
I loved how We becomes a part of the conversation. Own the problem. Let's fix it together. What do WE both want out of this - the satisfaction of everyone'e needs becomes a priority instead of a one sided emotional crisis.

Most of all- The Art of Possibility puts everything on the table. There is not subliminal messages or closely guarded secrets priviaged to only a few. This book opens living and life up to everyone.

EDM613 MAC Week 3 Free post- What is an Effective Teacher?

I have been reading for the past year about how education reform will remove the tenure system from public school districts and have evaluations in place to evaluate a teacher's effectiveness in the classroom. Race to the Top, No CHild Left Behind, Michelle Rhee in Washington D.C., the US rank in world education all weigh heavily on educators across the US. "Test scores, That's how we will evaluate teachers effectiveness".

So, are teachers truly effective if 100% of their students can pass average or above average on a standardized test?

Example- in a small rural district in Southwestern Missouri, a 3rd grade classroom was recognized for having one of the highest Math scores on a state test compared to other districts of same or even bigger size. The teacher was recognized by the governor, the school awarded a plaque, and written up in the newspaper This school had a relatively high percentage of free/reduced lunch, rural children who were bused from 1 hour away on county roads, and had transient and migrant families (farm work). Wow- what a great teacher!!! She is effective!!! However, that class studied Math skills 90% of the school day for the year. Little time was give to reading, social studies or science. Drills were practiced, worksheets written over and over, and released test items were studied. Practice tests were given over and over, tutoring was encouraged. Now, is this true effectiveness? I don't think so.... I think it is a travesty of the education system to honor this kind of teaching. Did the kids really LEARN or did they memorize? And since other skills were not taught, obviously that's not effective teaching ( but wait- the kids passed the test!- NOT) BESIDES the test, was there purpose or application? And I think it gives the wrong idea to parents....My kid got 95% on the TEST what do you mean he is failing the next grade?

my own children feverishly study their spelling words each Wednesday and Thursday nights for the test on Friday. They are so happy when they come with a good grade on the report card. The teachers are "effective", my children passed the test. But frankly, my children neither can use the words when writing or speaking or know how to spell them the next week. This makes me mad!!! This is CRAP!!! I don't care if all computers have spell checks and grammar corrections to fix it for them- this is a basic skill my kids should know. The grade DOES not reflect the ability!!!! I want my children to be made to apply these skills.

Effectiveness is a Fallacy.