DR Andy Reflection 12
I will try to draw a picture later of this idea. If any of you are artist go for it (I actually am still trying to pass kindergarten art class despite I am 52) After talking about structure today both this morning in a staff meeting and now in class my energies are flowing. Here's my idea:
Imagine a tree.
The tree trunk supports the scaffolds that support the branches then the twigs. This could be the super-intendant and board. They are to be facilitators and supporters in the process of educating our children. I would see the trunk as the source of education from all those before us. The scaffolds are the researchers and thinkers.
Next see in the branches a nest. In the nest is young birds who are still dependent on others for life. Those little birds and eggs in the nest our the students. They represent new life in the early maturing stages. They represent the purpose of the education system. The future of birds – of humans.
Notice how the nest us structured? It is interwoven of many parts. These parts are teachers, office help, principles, curriculum writers, community leaders, govt education leaders etc. They are interwoven because the leadership structure is dynamic shared leadership. They all depend on each other to make the nest a secure place for these young birds. The nest also shows that the communication is dynamic ass well. Just ass many parts (talents, roles) play a part in keeping the nest together so does communication. Thus the curriculum writers are in contact with the teachers.
(heres my model for how this dynamic leadership communication should look like)
Many sub groups (pieces of the nest) are held together by the twigs and branches that run through the nest (the communication). Th communication pieces all meet together at the scaffold level. All issues and concerns are discussed in the meetings. Tentative ideas are developed but no decisions. These pieces that form the communication dynamic go back to the other pieces in their small role groups (the parts of the nest that they hold together). They discuss the concerns and give feedback and ideas. The communication dynamic shares the idea off the dynamic communication group thought about and hears feedback. Then the dynamic communication pieces go meet with the other members of the group. Communication occurs of the feedback and tentative decision are made. Then back to the the pieces of share tentative solutions. Feedback and possible affirming the ideas occurs. Back to the dynamic communication group and decisions are made based on all stake-holders feedback. Then back t the parts to inform of ratification or the need to gain more feedback and seeking of solutions. This process of spiderweb communication continues until a plausible decision is made.
Now back to the tree. Imagine the nest. The nest has a mother bird. This is a vital part of the education process. The most influential potential is daddy bird and momma bird. Dad and Mom are vital to the health of life of these young birds who cant fly yet and cant feed themselves yet. The education process is that they earn to feed themselves and fly.
My hear beats here strongest and I wish to share the hear of a daddy, minister and teacher. The three are interwoven in my life. But I know the priority is daddy. How can I lead others if I cant lead my own “birds' in the way to feed and fly? Parents are the number 1 and 2 “teacher” in the life of children. The nest is not complete without the mother bird. I know this does not always happen. I also see what results when daddy abandons or is the absent father. My siblings lives and even Mom and dad still carry scars here. ( I think I shared about my family – its multi-racial and multi-kids – 68 quite a few came from the streets) we must include the parents in the process of education and respect and encourage the major role they have. You see part of the nest is mothers own feathers. Maybe the most warmth and weatherizing is her feathers.
Ok. A little girl has not gone to sleep and it is 1am. She is determined to wait for daddy. Got to get home and cuddle my little girl so she will sleep where she feels security (and can pull a beard to know that the security is still close by) I better enjoy this as soon she will leave me for another man's security and I will forever miss my little girl. For she will belong to the man I have been praying for before she was even conceived.
Dr. Andy I will send my other reflections soon. I will leave for Laos tomorrow so I can be back in time for Tuesday class. I should have plenty of time to catch up and think without daddy calls, honey dos and Teacher Loyal ^$^%)*^$^#) etc.
Loyal Jongrak
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6 comments:
Loyal, this is a very well crafted vision and model of how a leadership and interactive process in a school should work. If we could imprint this upon even a very small fraction of our schools, I am convinced the changes would be revolutionary. If it was implemented on a wider scale, it would literaly change our whole reality. This is powerful stuff!
Loyal I like the way you compare the tree, nest, etc. to our week 12 lesson.I do agree with everything that you said! Brilliant!! You know what? You better start composing poems too. You can put words in a deeper sense, as in very meaningful!! You deserve a credit for this. I also think that you're a dedicated father and husband. Good work my friend!!! God bless!!!
Hello Loyal, you are completely right. I can feel it, I know how terrible it was when a little bird is not in the process (nest). So also, I can see a lot of little birds and moms or dads are split when education is not defined in many societies. Anyway, in order to let a bird in a nest, I may need to plant a tree.
markokee mark
Reflection on Loyal's Reflection
The image of the tree is still in my mind after reading this. Loyal, the connection you made with the tree and organizational structure within education is powerful. What I got from it is that the education of our students are ultimately held together by the educators interaction with each other and students, but also everything is upheld by the tree trunk, which is our past education. To add to that, the idea that parents are ultimately the key teachers in a student's life is important. I feel this too having being involved in Children's ministry at church. What that in mind what should my approach to education be? Especially for young children?
1) Keep in mind that as a teacher my job is to partner with parents in raising their kids. Keep in contact with parents through various communication and establish good rapport. After all teachers are like parents at school, or at least should have that approach.
2) Remember that education is hollistic. I feel that as teacher, my job is to not only teach how to read and write but also to teach children how to have relationships with others, how to take care of themselves, how to respect authority, and of course many more. This is because I feel that as students get out of school, that is what they will ultimately learn to do. They have to interact ethically with the world they will live in. I feel that good education is one that not only stresses excellence in academics but also values good morals and ethics. I believe a teacher's role is to support in raising their children in that manner.
3) Lastly support and plan activities in school where parents can spend time with their children. I think this is important even with older kids. I feel that schools should also be a place where we nurture families and show that we as educators support parents. I think that having activities that will open up the doors for families to be a part of the school community will help that alot.
To conclude, I feel, once again, that Loyal's reflection is a good insight to the heart of a parent deeply concerned with their child's education and life. Any aspiring teacher should have a read. Good job.
-Micah
Reflection
With the help of your visual example of a well developed tree, my imagination continue to go wild with more details of its added animation. I could see vividly that if each part of leadership take their role seriously, the vibrant energy continue to flow from one part of the tree to the stem, and the leaves or color continue to be the most beautiful tree or a successful school. Of course, like you have said that every part is important especially the part that needed more attention, nurturing and support. That is our students. They will continue the tradition of the living tree. They will keep the tree alive for many years to come. Thanks for sharing with us your vision of great leadership that binds all together into one happy tree to be.
applications:
1. My focus attention is always the students. Their parents as well as themselves dependent on my leadership role to guide and teach them to be the best they can be.
2. After reading Loyal's reflection, I think that it is important to have a vision and a goal to be reach in whatever you do.
3. As a teacher, I will always need the support from the whole community to be able to bring my students to a more well rounded person, including parents, administrators,community helpers, churches... I cannot do alone...
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