SATURDAY, MAY 29, 2010
FSO_MAC_W4_Being the Board & Framework for Possibility
Often, life delves out circumstances that are beyond our control. I have mostly accepted that as fact. The truth is, it's harder to actually accept it than it is to say you've resigned to that.
And being resigned to something is next to admitting status quo is good enough.
These chapters in The Art of Possibility have sparked a memory. A few years ago I was fortunate to attend a staff inservice presentation by motivational speaker, Sam Glenn. His wisdom, inspired by Zig Ziglar, touched and changed my outlook. I view Glenn, Pinneo and now Zander in the same light: truly enlightened people whose view of life inspires possibility wherever they are.
I have fought the downward spiral and will freely admit that the negative emissions from others also drag me down.
I don't want to be that way, and while they are out of my control, I can choose to "be the board on which the game is played," as Zander says.
This is the act of realizing that we willingly take risks by simply stepping outside the door each day. Rather than blaming and seeking revenge for the wrongs of others, accepting and moving forward with the notion that life happens. As Glenn says, it's about your attitude more than anything else. Sometimes it's good to use the attitude of humor, sometimes the attitude of forgiveness; in all, life is lived fully within the choices we make and our attitudes about them. We don't have to let negativity mold who we are.
Mr. Rainey said...
Willing to take risks is one of the hardest lesson to teach anyone I think. If more were willing to take risks in life and learn from then, I think the educational system would have grown more than it has. Students today just don't take risks. They expect an A just for showing up to class. Learning is about making mistakes from risk taking. Not sit and collect dust like some trinket sitting on a shelf.
Choices are the key guiding factor to a teachers job. How many choices do we make in a day? I can't even count them all.
Peace Donita!
P.S. If you get a chance could you take a look at my presentation at my action research site. The address is in our MAC class google doc. Thanks Kiddo!!!!
May 30, 2010 8:15 PM
Showing posts with label MAC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MAC. Show all posts
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Mel Rainey 201005 wk4 Readings
Chapter 10. Being the Board: It’s not them. It’s not the circumstances. It’s me. It’s my choices. Now what do I do?
Changing, everyday is what I want to do to keep my framework approachable. When I am the happiest as a teacher, is when I work with my students, not against them. If I create my classroom environment to be negative then it will and or positive, it will. The I in my class is what will control my directional pull. I have definitely seen this this year. The direction of my classroom has been a bit more structured and business like. When I first started teaching they were the best times and times kept moving I became and adult that had pressure from all side to perform and become the ultimate teacher or "Hall Nazi." I am a mixture of both.
Chapter 11. Creating Frameworks for Possibility: How do I take this flash of insight and make it into daily thing? And how do I share this with others?
I change constantly so that my possibilities can be endless. Allowing for multiple changes, gives me an opportunity to grow with my students and to see how they will react and adapt to the goals of each less and how they can appreciate art more. Sharing is one of my biggest suits to wear. I have shared everything in my school for the past 6 years over half of my teaching career I have had to share everything, let me tell you not having your own classroom has been difficult. Especially when I started with my own. Learning to interact and be apart of the school is how I get others involved. If you show you care, then they will come. More coffee!! More Coffee!! Food!!!! Makes great gifts.
Chapter 12. Telling the WE Story: I told you it wasn’t about you. Have you been able to tap into the power of combining your expertise and passions with someone equally gifted? Have you had the pleasure of lifting a teammate, student, stranger up enabling them to realize their dreams and exceed anything that you could have imagined?
Being a mentor for the past 6 years has been that experience. Equally gifted and unique, a teammate, fellow colleague and a complete stranger are those that I have mentored. WE as a whole is a hard concept when so many senior teachers have been burned by their districts. I hear the term WE and I have nothing but hope, but it will be the I and me teachers that bring me down. Sometimes to me, I think that it is practice for what is coming in the future. Another WE altering event, something that will change the course of public education. A change that will define, who are we as a race?
Peace! Rainey
Coda: Now what do we do?
Changing, everyday is what I want to do to keep my framework approachable. When I am the happiest as a teacher, is when I work with my students, not against them. If I create my classroom environment to be negative then it will and or positive, it will. The I in my class is what will control my directional pull. I have definitely seen this this year. The direction of my classroom has been a bit more structured and business like. When I first started teaching they were the best times and times kept moving I became and adult that had pressure from all side to perform and become the ultimate teacher or "Hall Nazi." I am a mixture of both.
Chapter 11. Creating Frameworks for Possibility: How do I take this flash of insight and make it into daily thing? And how do I share this with others?
I change constantly so that my possibilities can be endless. Allowing for multiple changes, gives me an opportunity to grow with my students and to see how they will react and adapt to the goals of each less and how they can appreciate art more. Sharing is one of my biggest suits to wear. I have shared everything in my school for the past 6 years over half of my teaching career I have had to share everything, let me tell you not having your own classroom has been difficult. Especially when I started with my own. Learning to interact and be apart of the school is how I get others involved. If you show you care, then they will come. More coffee!! More Coffee!! Food!!!! Makes great gifts.
Chapter 12. Telling the WE Story: I told you it wasn’t about you. Have you been able to tap into the power of combining your expertise and passions with someone equally gifted? Have you had the pleasure of lifting a teammate, student, stranger up enabling them to realize their dreams and exceed anything that you could have imagined?
Being a mentor for the past 6 years has been that experience. Equally gifted and unique, a teammate, fellow colleague and a complete stranger are those that I have mentored. WE as a whole is a hard concept when so many senior teachers have been burned by their districts. I hear the term WE and I have nothing but hope, but it will be the I and me teachers that bring me down. Sometimes to me, I think that it is practice for what is coming in the future. Another WE altering event, something that will change the course of public education. A change that will define, who are we as a race?
Peace! Rainey
Coda: Now what do we do?
Mel Rainey wk3 2010 Project Post
I hate being sick! This weeks posting on the weeks project will be subtle and honest. The video blogs and video streaming that I choose and worked with this week are some that I have started to use in my classroom. Working on learning and putting all of my work together for this class was hard this week. The videos and streams are awesome and when I do get time to work on finding more and perfecting what I have learned, I know that this grad program will be well worth it. Also getting ready for the presentation was hard combining it with the ending of my school year. Yes I said it, I am done, packed up and awaiting the new school on August 30-September 1, I will be moving into a new classroom and building. Oh, did I mention it is only half a building, with no cafeteria, 2/3 of the classrooms and no gym. It is going to be another crazy school year. On to week four blogs.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Mel Rainey Wk 3 Reading post 201005
This weeks readings stuck me hard because of the nature of the material and what has been happening at my high school. The questions and comments made in the discussion assignment area hit on one of the most main problems in the school right now. Because of the packing and focus shifting towards the new high school many of the usual school policies were left in the dust. Our goal that was given to the teachers by the district administration was to be "Flexible."
7: The Way Things Are: Sometimes settling for the way things are is a lowering of expectations, sometimes it’s finding a starting point so that one can make things better. Where are you in this continuum?
Right now I think that I am in the AND position of teaching. I think to have possibilities is the way that we as teachers can go. Teaching is different everyday, you can not predict what will happen and you can't control it either. To have presence without resistance, leaves me and my students the abilities to explore and act on any and all art related projects or inquiries. The art department has always had an open curriculum for learning, one that allows students and staff to interact with out being shoved into a wall of resistance.
8: Giving Way to Passion: Control says that the only way to avoid disappointment and frustration is to not care at all. No hits, no runs, but most importantly, no errors. What are you doing in your daily life that expresses your passion or the things you are passionate about?
Everyday of my career i teach and live art for my students. This year has been extraordinarily tough because of time management skills. I am not the best with time, but I do try to fit in as much as I can as a teacher. My students actually felt somewhat confused by my Graduate program and I think that hindered some of their creative intuitions. My students may also say that I am crazy for life. I always express that "life is the greatest of all adventures!" or I will say "I want to go out with my boots on!!" Sitting around and letting life pass by is not the answer if you want to evolve in the stages of education and life.
9: Lighting a Spark. It’s not about us. It’s about them. What are you doing to pay-forward from your universe of possibility?
Paying it forward? Good Question! it takes all of my energy to pay it forward, it may be art club, drama club, a caricature for someone retiring or caricatures of those seniors who have pasted through my classroom. each year this something different that I try to teach my classes about art and life and how everything is connected. Sometimes they listen and sometimes they don't. Paying it forward is contributing to the world selflessly, my department head always says I am a YES man when it comes to helping out. I will always be a YES man, it is just the way I was raised. Thanks Mom and Dad!!
7: The Way Things Are: Sometimes settling for the way things are is a lowering of expectations, sometimes it’s finding a starting point so that one can make things better. Where are you in this continuum?
Right now I think that I am in the AND position of teaching. I think to have possibilities is the way that we as teachers can go. Teaching is different everyday, you can not predict what will happen and you can't control it either. To have presence without resistance, leaves me and my students the abilities to explore and act on any and all art related projects or inquiries. The art department has always had an open curriculum for learning, one that allows students and staff to interact with out being shoved into a wall of resistance.
8: Giving Way to Passion: Control says that the only way to avoid disappointment and frustration is to not care at all. No hits, no runs, but most importantly, no errors. What are you doing in your daily life that expresses your passion or the things you are passionate about?
Everyday of my career i teach and live art for my students. This year has been extraordinarily tough because of time management skills. I am not the best with time, but I do try to fit in as much as I can as a teacher. My students actually felt somewhat confused by my Graduate program and I think that hindered some of their creative intuitions. My students may also say that I am crazy for life. I always express that "life is the greatest of all adventures!" or I will say "I want to go out with my boots on!!" Sitting around and letting life pass by is not the answer if you want to evolve in the stages of education and life.
9: Lighting a Spark. It’s not about us. It’s about them. What are you doing to pay-forward from your universe of possibility?
Paying it forward? Good Question! it takes all of my energy to pay it forward, it may be art club, drama club, a caricature for someone retiring or caricatures of those seniors who have pasted through my classroom. each year this something different that I try to teach my classes about art and life and how everything is connected. Sometimes they listen and sometimes they don't. Paying it forward is contributing to the world selflessly, my department head always says I am a YES man when it comes to helping out. I will always be a YES man, it is just the way I was raised. Thanks Mom and Dad!!
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Mel Rainey 2010523 wk3 presentation possibilities.
Well over the past week, with ending school year stuff, I was able to get ideas of presenting at the Ohio Art Educators Association conference, Elyria City Schools Art Department professional development day and Elyria High Schools technology professional development seminar. I am limited to funds and time this year for presenting but that is my best option right now. I am looking at presenting with a key note presentation that includes my action research and the lesson possibilities in using technology as a tool. We shall see.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Mel Rainey 2010051 Free Post wk 1
TED video on Benjamin Zander.
While watching the video this new phrase that is sticking with me, is everywhere. "Live in it!"
Mr. Zander definitely is living in it. The amount of risk that he instills in his presentation speaks volumes! Just the interaction with the crowd is inspiring to teachers. This is teaching at its best, a roller coaster ride in 20 minutes.
When I sit in professional development seminars, with guest speakers. I like to get involved. The speaker usually has interaction with crowd, works the room, and invites the teachers to interact. Sometimes it seems to me like I feel as an outcast. Most of the room is grading papers, reading the newspaper or some other activity instead of looking for what could spark something in my mindset. So I continue to be weird and engage in activities and people laugh. I am ok with that. what gets me is that half of these teachers and staff could care less to be there and get no insight out of the activities. Or so I think?
Being able to allow possibilities to happen, I think comes from risk taking. Nothing has ever been gained from sitting around and vegetating. Adventure and excitement are not always the key to knowledge, but they do spark something with in all of us here on this earth.
Peace!!!
While watching the video this new phrase that is sticking with me, is everywhere. "Live in it!"
Mr. Zander definitely is living in it. The amount of risk that he instills in his presentation speaks volumes! Just the interaction with the crowd is inspiring to teachers. This is teaching at its best, a roller coaster ride in 20 minutes.
When I sit in professional development seminars, with guest speakers. I like to get involved. The speaker usually has interaction with crowd, works the room, and invites the teachers to interact. Sometimes it seems to me like I feel as an outcast. Most of the room is grading papers, reading the newspaper or some other activity instead of looking for what could spark something in my mindset. So I continue to be weird and engage in activities and people laugh. I am ok with that. what gets me is that half of these teachers and staff could care less to be there and get no insight out of the activities. Or so I think?
Being able to allow possibilities to happen, I think comes from risk taking. Nothing has ever been gained from sitting around and vegetating. Adventure and excitement are not always the key to knowledge, but they do spark something with in all of us here on this earth.
Peace!!!
Mel Rainey MAC 20100509 Wk. 1 readings post
This weeks reading are more than a start to inspire but the beginnings to guidelines that I ave been taught by most of my teachers throughout my life. And I am not just talking about school teachers, but friends, family, peers, colleagues, animals, nature, literature, art, music, film, and the list goes on. As an artist we are taught to see the world around us and to perceive it in ways most people have difficulty with. Just like the frog those who are not artists, are limited to what is hard wired to their own brains. Just as I have a perception deficit towards mathematics. My brain is only hard wired to understand certain perceptions. But, what makes being an artist exciting and full of risk, is the idea of creating something from nothing. When I read the quote on Michelangelo, for the umpteenth millionth time, I never get tired of it. Because it is the truth, so many children have build a strong stone facade around them, you need chip it away to reveal their true identity.
Not long ago I completed a course called Creating Emotionally Safe Classrooms. The main idea was about building relationships with students to truly understand how to get that spark back in their eyes to learn, create, feel apart of this world. Relationships between people are the most important I think for all educational environments. Take Full Sail Online, I personally would not be doing so well if it were not for the relationships and personal connection that has been achieved through this program. "The Game" of finding this balance in education between relationship and boundaries is what scares most systems of education. There are some people who have nothing but ideas of destruction and chaos with in their minds that want to bring down everyone and everything on this plant. Which built our own walls of fortitude for survival.
To teach others to take risks and say YES, we as teachers and leaders must first break down our own walls as they did in Berlin.
When I started teaching and till now, I have used the A method to invoke a state of equality in my classroom. Students focus less on the grade and more of the content and engagement of the lesson. Sometimes I struggle to understand some of my students, because they have been behind their walls since birth, that I think I will never make a dent. And then it happens at the least expected time and the light bulbs gleam brightly. Say YES, take risks, and have FUN doing what you love have been building blocks in my educational practices and teachings. Sometimes a couple of bricks fall and need repair, but that is what being human is all about right?
One of my favorite movies is all about relationship building and Inventing! It is called "The Big Labowski."
How are you today, tomorrow, and in the future?
I will respond with "Living into it!"
Not long ago I completed a course called Creating Emotionally Safe Classrooms. The main idea was about building relationships with students to truly understand how to get that spark back in their eyes to learn, create, feel apart of this world. Relationships between people are the most important I think for all educational environments. Take Full Sail Online, I personally would not be doing so well if it were not for the relationships and personal connection that has been achieved through this program. "The Game" of finding this balance in education between relationship and boundaries is what scares most systems of education. There are some people who have nothing but ideas of destruction and chaos with in their minds that want to bring down everyone and everything on this plant. Which built our own walls of fortitude for survival.
To teach others to take risks and say YES, we as teachers and leaders must first break down our own walls as they did in Berlin.
When I started teaching and till now, I have used the A method to invoke a state of equality in my classroom. Students focus less on the grade and more of the content and engagement of the lesson. Sometimes I struggle to understand some of my students, because they have been behind their walls since birth, that I think I will never make a dent. And then it happens at the least expected time and the light bulbs gleam brightly. Say YES, take risks, and have FUN doing what you love have been building blocks in my educational practices and teachings. Sometimes a couple of bricks fall and need repair, but that is what being human is all about right?
One of my favorite movies is all about relationship building and Inventing! It is called "The Big Labowski."
How are you today, tomorrow, and in the future?
I will respond with "Living into it!"
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