Fear or Hope? What is a better motivator?

Q: Movie Line:  "Hope!  It is the only thing stronger than fear!" What recent film claims hope is a greater motivator than fear? (answer below)

Off in the distance, we see Table Rock Lake.  Does a spanning vista like this inspire hope or fear? Does this big picture drive us to do more, or fold our hands and quit?

(From Young Life's Clearwater Cove lookout peak)

Assembling all these quotes leads me to believe in the wisdom of those before me, considering their experiences, thoughts and perspectives worth regarding.  Asking questions about what they thought important, why they thought it important and how it applied to their situation prods me to continue in my own quest of understanding.  What follows are the quotes in italics, the author in bold and my remarks, for what they are worth.

The greatest mistake a man can makes is to sacrifice health for any other advantage.  A.  Schopenhauer
Money, power, importance, control, being right, being the best or any other aspirations do seem subordinate to health.
Our bodies are apt to be our own autobiographies.  F.  Burgess
What story are we writing?
I tell you the past is a bucket of ashes.  C.  Sandburg
Cynical, accurate or perceptive?
Knowledge is power.  F.  Bacon
It's both how we get the knowledge as well as what we do with the asset.
Perhaps the most valuable results of all education is the ability to make yourself do the very thing you have to do when it ought to be one, whether you like it or not.  This is the first to be learned.  T.   Huxley
That sounds like a good definition for self-discipline.
It's great to be great but it's greater to be human.  W.  Rogers
What is really important?  Being a contributing member of the community?
The greatest happiness you can have is knowing that you do not necessarily require happiness.  W.  Saroyan
It's like joy and happiness are closely related, but not the same!  Happiness seems based on external situations or circumstances.  The pursuit of happiness drives our foundational documents, as well as our economy, yet inner joy, peace or contentment have another source.  Not based on our plight but stemming from some inner drive, motive or security, the greatest happiness is recognizing happiness is optional.
Even when the experts all agree, they well may be mistaken.  B. Russell
Experts are experts, but data should drive, inform and influence the experts.  Without the data, the experts are just telling stories.
A committee is a group of the unprepared, appointed by the unwilling to do the unnecessary.  F.  Allen
Without norms, clear purposes and leadership, this can be true.  However, with a clear objective, leadership and manners, a committee is an example of synergy!
If you respect your job’s importance, it will probably return the favor.  L. D. Turner
Persistence, staying power and the ability to outlast others often defines the champion, since he does what others do not do!
An expert is a man who has stopped thinking he knows. F. R. Wright
Maturity, experience and mistake after mistake reveal to us there is always more to learn, complete and conquer.  The life-long learner gravitates to the status of expert due to their quest for understanding.  To consider knowledge and wisdom as complete or sufficiently amassed implies
I do not believe in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance.  T. Carlyle
So what do we “believe in?” Majority may not know the best.  Wisdom and understanding may have an alternate perspective.
If fifty million people say a foolish thing, it I'd still a foolish thing.  B. Russell
Remember “Animal Farm” by George Orwell to get a matching point of view.
I've got to follow them, I am their leader.  Ledru-Rollin
Admittedly, I had to search out the back-story of this politician as he  worked to represent the oppressed masses.
Make the most of yourself for that is all there is of you.  R. W. Emerson
We spend time trying to be somebody else, when we should be just be ourselves, content in that but giving it everything we have.
Yes, these quotes are concise.  My words add little.  Yet the focus, concentration and deliberation to expound on each quote add insights and hopefully wisdom.  Only time will prove it effective!

Answer:  In The Hunger Games, the President Snow, played by the esteemed Donald Sutherland, asked the game-maker Seneca Crane played by Wes Bentley "Why do we have a winner?"  As the ruthless president of the post-modern world, he frequently ponders motivation of the masses.  In reply, Crane stumbled through a response but Sutherland answered his own question. He posed a "little bit of hope is effective but a lot of hope is dangerous," then reiterates that a "spark is fine, as long as it is contained!"  What pressure do we apply when we motivate our students, in fear, or in hope.  Which is more effective?  Which reaches the hearts of our students?  Which is more lasting?  Fear drives today but hope inspires for tomorrow!

Build Bridges or Walls?

Build bridges or walls?

Concise, direct and an efficient use of words and terms allow us to communicate directly and effectively.  When talking with others, we try to communicate ideas but often, fail to transmit the pure thought.  One great thing about quotes is their ability to communicate an abstract concept into a simple thought.  These following quotes were all pulled from the The Treasure Chest.  Which are your favorites?

Men build too many walls and not enough bridges.  D. Pire

Walls are simple to build but bridges take a bit more attention to assemble.  In the same way, healthy relationships require us to reach across differences, gaps, perspectives and stereotypes forcing us to get along with others that may not align with our way of thinking.  A far easier route would be to ignore or even work against reconciliation! 

It gives pleasure to be praised by one whom all men praise.  T.  Howe

The real purpose of books is to train the mind into doing its own thinking.  C. Marley

As an educator, this is paramount!  Think depth of knowledge.

The slave has but one master, the ambitious man has as many masters as there are persons whose aid may contribute to the advancement of his fortune.  J. De. La. Brayer

Ambition, aspirations and a quest for advancement is a common theme.  Do we own our things, or do our things own us?

If ambition doesn't hurt you, you haven't got it.  K.  Norris

A man’s home is his hassle.  Mrs. L Peter

I thought it said castle, but it is really his hassle.

Ambition is a lust that's never quenched, grows more inflamed, and madder by enjoyment.  T.  Otway

Find where your main roots lie and do not hanker after other worlds.  H.  Thoreau.

Keep the main thing, the main thing.

It seems like so much wisdom is contained here.  Our quest in reviewing these lies in uncovering common themes that apply to all mankind, regardless.

Here at Winfield Middle School, we just finished another school year.  As principal, I felt like I learned every day!  From the existing staff, I learned about the current state of affairs.  I learned about their strengths and areas of interest.  I learned about their classroom talents and was eager to see them in action, molding, opening and forming young minds.  Middle School students showed me culture, drama, the Harlem shake, #dontgiveup and excitement.  A middle school student is singularly an enigma, a joy and entertaining, all at the same time.  Finally, I learned my own limitations.  I learned to let go, to delegate, to communicate and apologize whenever necessary.  I learned where I fall short, areas of improvement and just a bit of what it means to actually lead.  Thanks for following.
#onthemap

 

Family Traditions

Public Speaking, Toasts and Orations

Traditions, weddings, celebrations, annual remembrances all point to family get-togethers.  Times when generations can meet, compare notes about today, recollect past occasions and mile marks and speculate about the future.

Recently, a cousin was in town from the big city.  It was enough of a reason for us to gather for an impromptu birthday party.  At many of these events, somebody gets up and starts waxing away!  To prime the topics, my uncle's gift book from 1974 was brought out, the treasure chest.  This book compiles nuggets of wisdom gathered over time from 2500 years of written wisdom.   There was a summary sheet that listed some of my uncle's favorite quips. 

As I reviewed them, I could see my uncle in the meaning, but interestingly, I could see myself.  It was a testimony to the nature of the connections established by strong bonds. 
Take care of the means and the ends will take care of itself.  M. Gandhi
The genius of a good leader is to leave the behind him a situation which common sense, without the grace of genius, can deal with successfully.  W. Lippmann
A failure is a man who has blundered, but is not able to cash in on the experience.  E. Hubbard
Jumping to conclusions seldom leads to happy landings.
Reformers are those that educate people to appreciate what they need.
A great part of courage is the courage of having done the thing before.  R.W. Emerson
There is no more miserable human being than one in whom nothing is habitual but indecision.  W. James
Thoughts are but drams, till their effects can be tried. W. Shakespeare
When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece.  C. Reade
Deliberating is not delaying.  Ecclesiastics
Let no man presume to give advice to others that he has not first given counsel to himself.  Seneca
He who praises everybody, praises nobody.  I. Johnson
Strengthen me by sympathizing with my strengths not my weakness.  B. Alcott
As I transfer these quotes from hand written cursive script to my iPad, I see wisdom. I can imagine my uncle using them as daily affirmations.  I imagine his quest to find truth and trace the path from cairn to cairn. I am also convicted of my own shortcomings, failures and character flaws.  Yet I am reminded to persist.  I am encouraged to find success and strive for constant improvement.  I am driven to push myself to a breaking point.
How can I be a better member of my family?  What does my work setting need for me to do differently?  How can I take better physical, mental and spiritual health of myself?  What does society, the environment and our civilization require of me? What legacy, if any, will I leave behind?
The above quotes are hand written on plain white paper, the first two pages of six, condensed from a publication of 250 total pages.  Are they the best? No.  Do they contain any extra wisdom? No.  They were chosen for their own merit, but still ring true!

The Flood or 2013, Cuiver River from Frenchmens Bluff

Sandra McCracken, my sister, writes a song titled Age to Age.  Interestingly, this song is written about flood waters along the Mississippi, where two boys would play by the water, along the levy.  In the song, the levy breaks and water and sand overcome them.  Authorities come and pull the one up by the hand and they ask where the brother is, he replies, "I'm standing on his shoulders."  She continues to mention atrocities of war, the Trail of Tears and Martin Luther's thesis nailed to the establishment door, all in a quest to urge us to persist in the face of challenges and transitions.

Sure enough, here in spring time, where school officials adjust assignments, administrators relocate and students and teachers alike prepare for summer break, we wonder about change.  What are we going to do with new teachers, students and staff?  According to Sandra, we are going to persist, continue on and build on the efforts of those that have traveled before us, standing on their metaphoric shoulders!  We are not going to quit! We are not a going to throw our hands up in frustration. We are going to do all we can to continue growth, advancement and progress. 

Of course, things will not be the same and neither will our students so we will push forth. Again, referring to Dr Seuss,  will keep trying and asking for things to be better, even something as simple as green eggs and ham.

These pictures show a bit of the before and after during the floods of 2013.  This puts a graphic illustration to the song and reminds us of the power of time on our lives. The water spills out of the banks and takes over the surrounding fields.  This disaster is a setback but gives us options.  We could continue where we are, rebuild and go on!  Or we could relocate, find a new place to call home and start over someplace else.  A final option is to lament and wallow in the perceived sorrow, thinking we have no control! 

In Winfield, we don't quit.   We won't stop.   We will persist through these tests, get stronger and learn from the battles, coming out wiser and better prepared for our future.  During transitions, some are overcome and others come through and grow. 

What will we do?  What will you do? 

#onthemap.

Www.sandramccracken.com

@sandramccracken

Age to age, Best Laid Plans, 2004

Motivation is...?

Motivation is Intrinsic or Extrinsic?

Some students and Chad Varga, the day before we climbed #onthemap.

In Missouri, we have our MAP/EOC tests in the spring .  We prepare for this time in so many ways.  We talk about it.  We develop relationships with students.  We encourage our students to take extra effort.  We feed them.  We engage them in the planning.  We brainstorm.  We even bring in guest speakers.
Yesterday at WMS, we brought in Chad Varga (@chadvarga) to talk with students about effort, success, choices and changes.  He shared stories from his past and painted a picture of their future filled with accomplishments, benchmarks and deliberate decisions, regardless of their backgrounds.
Mr Varga reminded us of how persistence and effort determine our future, no matter what background we bring to the situation.  His life is so focused on overcoming obstacles, he devoted a book to the issue.  Bounce addresses returning to a positive attitude after a setback.  Since we all have setbacks, the important part is doing well after that! Chad encouraged us to continue and persist!
Another topic of discussion surrounded a true interpretation or definition of success.  Is true success making yourself happy or serving others?  Chad shares a story about Spain, pro-ball, commitments and distractions and true happiness.  He took us all on an imaginary adventure in our minds eye to a deck overlooking the sea, quiet and peaceful with the world as our oyster, ready to have for any purpose at all.  How many points on the court are necessary for success?  Where does it stop and where does it start?
As an adult, Chad has no problem overcoming any barriers in communication.  He connected with our students with honor and respect and expected that in return from them, winning the crowd early and keeping them engaged the entire time.  He addressed consequences and choices through a moving story about his choices and the outcome of a single positive choice made all the way back in high school!  Even our middle school students could connect with the stress of overcoming peer pressure and doing the right thing.
Finally, he addressed the thing that puts fear in everyone: change.  Ask one student who was willing to risk everything, step out of his comfort zone and take a chance!  They will both remember that day forever.  Fear of failure handcuffs many of us but facing those fears and changes is the only way to reach new goals, find unrecognized success and make authentic changes.  Regardless of history, background, what has happened in the past and how the past influences our future, Chad suggested we can break these chains, interrupt the cycle and get out of the spiral.  But we can’t do it alone!  We need caring folks to surround us and help us build those bridges.
Staff and students alike enjoyed the powerful message from Mr Varga.  His entertaining and engaging visit with our students left the entire building energized and ready to conquer.  We are all excited about the impact of this single day and what it means to the future here at WMS.  We can’t wait to be #onthemap with Chad Varga.

What would you do with 30 minutes of free time?

7-3 Reading Week April 9, 2013

 

An open letter to the Students of Winfield Middle School

From Mr. McCracken

Introduction:

In this essay, I will share some thoughts and ideas about what these upcoming tests mean.  Reasons for doing well, hints for doing well and what might help folks do better are ideas that will be addressed.  There will even be a few questions at the end to spark conversation and deeper thoughts.

Part 1:  Why try?

If you had 30 minutes of free time, what would you do?  Some would go hunting or fishing.  Others might get on the computer or play a video game.  Just about all of us would pull out our phones and check the time.  Others may call friends.  I might ride my motorcycle.  Regardless, we would all want to do something enjoyable.  This is where we run into a problem.  We all find different things enjoyable.  Getting up at 5 am to go sit in the cold would not be fun for some but waiting for a sale to begin would bore others to tears.  Nothing is enjoyed by all.

So, why can we say it is important to do well on these MAP tests, even if they are not “enjoyable?”  What will it mean if we don’t do well on the tests?  What if they are not fun?  For instance, nobody wants to go take a test.  Nobody wants to see how well they rate, especially if they are afraid of doing poorly!  We hate hearing how we don’t stack up or compare as well as another! Wouldn’t it be better to not even try, than to try and fail?

Story-time: What if your mom asks you to take out the trash?  Will you take it immediately? Will you wait until she yells at you?  Will you pretend not to hear her?  What will it take to get you to take out the trash?  Of course taking out the trash is a minor little chore, but the results make your mom so happy!  It may have taken a few minutes. You may have had to get off the phone, maybe come inside, maybe stop watching TV or get off the computer, but it made your mom so very happy!  This is a sign of maturity, finding enjoyment by making others happy.   

I know I am not your mom, but so many of you wished me happy birthday today. For you I have one simple request.   I am happy regardless but this would put me over the top.  To comply with this simple request would let me know how much you really care.  Would you try your hardest on the MAP test, for me, please?  I will still treat you well.  I will honor and respect your choices and even treat folks better than they treat others.

Part 2: Why would anyone do anything?:

This portion of this post reminds me of Green Eggs and Ham.  (Here are the words, in case you forgot.) Of course, Sam asks Grouch to try the meal over and over.  Consider the methods Sam used to get Grouch to try the meal.  No bribing, belittling or coercion is involved.  No force, pressure, ridicule or sarcasm is used while they go on their adventures together.  In fact, they almost seem to be getting along even better as they develop a relationship.  The adventures seem to be more intense, adventurous and even dangerous, but never is there talk of failure.  The relationship is solid and a failure does not put it in jeopardy.  In fact, the failure at the end where they are all in the water together is the proof that Sam does care.  Sam wants the best and is willing to fail with Grouch to prove it.  I know your teachers care, even in the midst of failure.   When Grouch finally relents and tries the concoction, of course he likes it, and is happy for the first time in the book.  This is a true relationship, that one give it all up for the other, regardless of the others response!  I believe the teachers at WMS want the best for us and are willing to go the extra mile to make that connection and reach students.

There is an old saying that relates to our lunch talk of Reluctantly Compliant.  It goes something like this:  Do what you want.  You are going to do it anyway and you might as well be happy about it.  I think, we all want to do whatever we want to do.  Sometimes we do things just because the consequences of something else are unbearable.  If we are in a relationship with another, we don’t want to upset them!  If a caring adult asks us to do something, we often times comply.  If we fail to comply, we are willing to suffer the consequences. The question becomes a matter of motivation.  Will students try because of their family, their friends, their teachers, or even their principal? Will you try because we ask you to try? Please?   A Version of Green Eggs  or Another Version a Final Version (Note the faces of Sam & Grouch)

Part 3:  What to do?

Our State of Missouri (dese) has listed a few pointers for us to consider when preparing for a test.   Reading and writing are parts of most of the Tips.  There are other practical ideas to ponder as well. Read, go slow, and all those pointers actually help.  Eating, sleeping, and skipping TV actually improve test scores.  Physical activity and playing are helpful for our brains.

Story-Time:  Does anybody have a door jamb or board on the wall at home that has tick marks or hash marks with dates and initials of your height as you are growing up?  This sort of measures your growth physically!  The MAP test sort of measures your growth academically. When they say, “stand up straight” to know how tall you really are, it matches when they repeat “do your best on the test.”  We learn what size clothes to get by your height and we learn what education is necessary by how much you know already!  Of course you can’t set a goal to grow but you can set a goal to learn.  These scores that follow along also transfer to show how much better you are doing over time.  We can make educational goals just like in Ac Lab.

Conclusion:

            What is important?  What is valuable?  What will you remember about your future?  Will you remember things, people or actions?  Will you remember how you feel or what you did?

Student questions?

Define the following:

Coercion: ___________________________________________________________________

Belittle: ___________________________________________________________________

Comply: ___________________________________________________________________

What would you do with 30 minutes of free time? _____________________________

Do you agree with the statement, “WE ALL DO WHATEVER WE WANT, ALL THE TIME?”  Why or why not? ______________________________________________________

 

___________________________________________________________________

What would happen if we all did poorly on our MAP tests? 

___________________________________________________________________

What would happen if we did well?

___________________________________________________________________

"Reluctantly Compliant?"

“Reluctantly Compliant?”

What type of person would step off a solid platform, trusting a rope, to get down off a mountain, when walking would work just as well?

Learning, leading and guiding others through change involves similar risks, trying something new, and many unknowns.

We all have opportunities to lead others around us every day.  In education, we spend 170+ days with students, we get to know them and earn many opportunities to influence their lives directly.

Some leaders want things to run smoothly.  They want everything in order, no anomalies and people to all align.  Other leaders want to gather folks already considered leaders, building on prior successes. Finally, John Maxwell identifies another smaller group, a few select leaders look to develop others into leaders by identifying their potential and putting them in front of opportunities to lead.

It is in this third group where we often find outliers.  It is this group of people that think rules are meant for somebody else.  Sometimes, these people are in trouble frequently and misunderstood by the crowd.  It is also this group that rules are written to control or manage, even though they don't follow the rules.  Recognizing this allows the leaders of leaders to begin to lead developing leaders.  Recognizing there is a different set of self-governing parameters that guide these unique individuals is the first step for success.  Seeing the world through their eyes and from their perspective leads us to acknowledge a totally different paradigm.  (Outliers by Malcom Gladwell)

A classroom full of followers is a pleasant environment, seemingly calm and incident free.  But the phrase “reluctantly compliant” comes to mind.  Are these folks really interacting with the content?  Do they really understand what is going on?  Are they “sitting and getting?”  Can they recite as well as extrapolate?  What are their limits? Are our students reluctantly compliant or do they connect because of some intrinsic motivation?  These questions are answered over time and by connecting with students as individuals and reaching into their lives, looking to help them reach their potential.

Education is a tough business.  Helping others change works against our natural bent to maintain.  Teachers instinctively look for the best in others, look for success where others have not found it, and intend on educational adventures in every setting.

Leadership expert John Maxwell mentions:

85% of the leaders attract followers

10% of the leaders attract other leaders

5% of all leaders reproduce other leaders

What kind of leader are we?  Do we want to stretch others?  Do we desire reluctant compliance?  Do we want a challenge or the status-quo?  What do we want from our students?

@JohnCMaxwell #outliers