Share your thoughts about the book, Spirit
Movers. Which chapters did you identify
with the most? Are there ways where the
different levels (informed, intentional and inspirational) make sense in other
aspects of your life?
Reply to at least one other person.
I think that our Spirit Movers blog was time well spent. It gave us opportunity to think beyond the timeliness of reports and the next student on our list of evaluations due.
ReplyDeleteThe area in which I need the most work is Health. I've tended to be reactive instead of proactive about my health. I know that being proactive is very much the preferred route to take, but often haven't found the energy to take the necessary steps, though I could enumerate the steps needed. This year, much of my mental energy has been diverted toward doing my job well, but it has taken its toll.
I tend to value responsibility, so the Accountability section made sense. We work on teams. If our reports are late to parents because an individual did not contribute in a timely manner, it makes no difference if most of the team contributed in a timely manner. To the parent receiving a late report, HPEC didn't look professional in its timeliness of reporting.
I most liked the Vision section. We are driven and influenced by our own vision and the vision of others. As a nation, we were founded on such ideas as Jefferson's vision that all men are created equal and are endowed with unalienable rights and, later, by King's vision that one day our nation would rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed. In stating that his dream was for his children to be judged, not by the color of their skin, but the content of their character, he made his dream personal, profound, and universal.
The Relationships section was important. As school psychologists, our primary business is relationships, though we like to have data, too. We work on teams and, like a chain, the strength of a team is often determined by it weakest link. We need to find ways of bolstering and helping strengthen the individual or the situation represented by this link.
In a past entry, I referenced John Donne's No Man Is an Island. When one person fails, in a sense, we all have failed because we are invested in humanity. Though it sometimes is, Life shouldn't be about one-upmanship, but about building a society in which we can live out the true meaning of our creed. When leadership arrives in Washington and Topeka that is not divisive, but is inclusive, perhaps we will get on with the nation and state building that seem to be so sorely needed.
Alan I feel the same way about Health. It is probably the area that I need the most work in as well. I tend to not go to the doctor until something is wrong. Even then I'll wait awhile to see if my symptoms will go away before making an appointment.
DeleteCatherine-
DeleteI'm the same way about not going to the doctor. I tell myself (And my family when they bug me about it, haha!) that by not going to the doctor's for every little thing, it's building my immune system :-) I guess it's worked out for me because I haven't died from anything yet, but it might also be negative in a way because it's reinforcing my thinking that if I just wait long enough, everything will get better on it's own. I honestly can't tell you the last time I've went to the doctor's or taken any type of medicine (Knock on wood!!!).
The truth and relationships pieces resonate with me. I truly feel sorry for teachers that do not take time to build relationships with their students---they are missing out on so much. Teaching is not about a paycheck but about making differences in the life of a child.
ReplyDeleteI strive to be inspired as a leader but also realize that in our field much of what we do is based on rules and regulations. I do not believe that if you are not in the inspired column on the chart it makes you less of leader. I think most of us would recognize that we have characteristics that fall in all three columns. I think Kansas (promise not to get on my soapbox about education and funding,)with its policies and funding issues has forced many of us into a position where it is hard to be inspired and forward thinking when you are not sure of funding or if we will have the finances to do what we need to do. I do see many districts that have cut programs and staff because of finances and the results have not always been in the best interest of children.
Marcy I think that is one of the reasons you are so highly respected is because you take the time to build those relationships with teachers. You always make the decision that is truly in the best interest of the children.
DeleteI think building relationships starts building a solid foundation that we can build upon. I can't imagine doing this job for the paycheck. It is so rewarding to see children learning and growing.
DeleteMarcy, I have enjoyed working with you because you value relationships. To truly value relationships, you have to value the person with whom you have the relationship. I think the consensus would be that we each have felt valued by you.
DeleteThe truth is sometimes harder to discern. The true value of Spirit Movers will be seen in our actions. Will we change our behavior in terms of health? Will we, as you put it in a past post, dream big?
Spirit Movers by itself will not solely be responsible for the positive changes we see in our group, but because it has asked us to examine ourselves, it may be a contributing factor.
Marcy, that is one of the things I most appreciate about you as a leader. You value relationships and make decisions based on what is best for the child.
DeleteFor me the most important sections were the relationship and accountability sections. I take the time to build trusting relationships with administration and teachers both professionally and outside of school. Many of the teachers that I have the close trusting relationships with, are also those that I consider close friends outside of school.
ReplyDeleteI also feel accountability is huge when it comes to working together as a team. One of my biggest pet peeves are people that don’t do their jobs or “pretend” they don’t know how to do something in order to get someone else to do it. I use to have the attitude that I would just do it for them. Now many of my teachers know that I won’t just do it for them. I will help them if they are struggling but I’m not just going to do it for them.
I always strive to be an inspired leader however with the way education is currently it is sometimes hard to be that inspired leader. I always try to do “what is best for kids.” We are sometimes the child’s biggest advocate and voice in the child’s education.
I agree accountability and relationships are extremely important at work and in your personal life.
DeleteI enjoyed reading the book Spirit Movers. I really liked reading how each person in this blog perceived the book or how it applies to them. I identified the most with the chapter about relationships and voice. I feel like we have to have relationships with those people we work with, in addition to the students and families we serve. I am slow to trust and to warm up to people; however once I start to trust a person I am able to develop a relationship with them. When it comes to relationships, I would say that I am very fluid. Depending on the task at hand, I may take the informed, intentional, or inspired approach.
ReplyDeleteWe are the voice for our students and their families. It is up to us to advocate what is best for each student. We deal with many different people with different life stories. It is up to us to voice our concerns for these students. We must have courage to let our voices ring. We have to be willing to step outside of the norm and say this is what or how I feel. As school psychs, we cannot just go with the flow all the time. There are times when we have to stop and speak up.
My actions in any given situation whether it is professional or personal will vary depending on the situation. I think that I am very fluid between the three levels.
I don’t know that I identified with any one particular chapter more than another, because I feel like just about all of them made me stop and think about particular areas in my life, not only professionally, but also personally. As I’ve mentioned in other posts, I can really struggle and become overwhelmed with trying to find enough hours in the day to accomplish everything I want/need to accomplish (Side note: I just realized the headless chicken is my spirit animal, lol!!!). However, because I’m such a late poster :-), it’s been nice to be able to take the time to really think about all of these concepts and truly evaluate where they fit within my life and where I truly fit on their rubrics (Even though most times, it’s been a combination of the 3 levels, haha!). I even made some notes and am going to TRY to better myself because of this. Not making any promises, but HOPEFULLY I’m at a 180 in August. Well, ok, let’s be honest… I doubt it will be a complete 180, but baby steps will occur! :-)
ReplyDeleteI loved this book. It was short and easy to read but more importantly it challenges us to do things differently. I have loved reading the blogs. You all write so eloquently! And some of you who are more quiet in the psych meetings really have so much more valuable things to say. Thank you all for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteAll the chapters I was able to identify with in some way or another. If I had to pinpoint one chapter it would have to be the Facets of Relationships. Human relationships fascinate me and frustrate me all at the same time. Reading the rubric for the facets of relationships are was informative and helped me understand both some of my personal and working relationships.
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed this book, from beginning to end. I marked up each & highlighted a number of things each chapter, and flagged several quotes!
ReplyDeleteAs I look back and reflect over the entire book, I don't think I can say that one chapter, or facet, stood out among the others. We know that building relationships is a critical foundation in our profession. The complexity of it though is not easy. I probably have the most notes, marks, highlights and flags in this chapter.
I appreciated the reflective question in the facet of decision making - "Of all the things we could no, what must we do?" It really struck a cord how many talents we do possess and don't utilize.
I read the last half of the book while planning and preparing for Vacation Bible School, so I was also thinking of these facets as they applied to the undertaking of VBS, and my leadership role in that situation. Which, I will admit is different from school in some areas, and other areas, not so much!
I'm so glad to we did this as a psych group! I enjoyed reading everyone's comments & insight. AND - I completed and survived my first blog!! :)
I don't know that one chapter stood out for me, but there were many components that made me think and evaluate myself and our profession. There were lots of quotes in the book that I found really meaningful and hope to compile them in one central location that I can reference when I need a source to uplift my mental health.
ReplyDeleteFor me, the best part about the book was the blog. I really enjoyed reading everyone's comments and suggestions. I think some positives were highlighted, as well as some areas of focus for our organization.
Finally, I agree with Marcy that if you are not on the inspired chart you are less of a leader. I believe an effective leader needs to be able to move between the levels as certain situations warrant. For example, when I was fresh out of college I most treasured the administrator who told me what to do and how to do it. Now, I treasure the administrator will spends time talking with me and helping me reach a good informed decision. A good leader can serve both these roles (which fall in different places on the rubric) based on the needs and skill set of the team he/she is leading.
I did really enjoy reading this book and everyone's responses to the blog. I could remember situations related to most all of the levels of the rubric. For me, personally, maybe because of when I read it, the health section stood out. I need to devote some time and attention to balancing my time between things I should do, with some things to take care of myself.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I have not been blogging throughout the blog, I have read this book and written in a personal journal. The inspiring quotes which I titled "Quotes to Live By" in my journal have been of great inspiration as we've worked through a year of change in both professional and personal life. Enjoyed reading everyone's posts and so glad that everyone felt as strongly about this book as we did:)
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