YES. NOW.

This is courtesy of Seth Godin.  Godin is the author of Linchpin, an international best seller.  That text is the ONLY book I have sent out for summer reading this year.  Why?  Because I know that once a student reads that one book, s/he will get hungry for the right books to pursue for the rest of summer...and beyond.  

Reactions?  What about this manifesto resonates deeply for you?  How can we apply these ideas to our school community?  Should we?

What does it all MEME?

Why do we need to pay attention to the e-culture of memes?

In this fantastic TEDx talk by Doug Belshaw, we are to learn that it isn't the memes that are so different, rather just the way they can spread that has changed.

Why should we care?  Because, as Belshaw states, "every time you are given a new tool, it gives you a different way of impacting upon the world...the medium is always going to be a part of the message."

Every year that I have taught, the number of tools that I see students introduced to has grown.  Are students becoming more  understanding of how to interact with the world?

In this talk, we learn that an idea's power is immeasurable.  As an educator, I cannot stress that statement enough.  It is why I believe that we need to reassure students that they are creative, that creative thinking is not limited to some.  Memes, and the culture of the web, serve as remarkable evidence that innovation is about collaboration.  If that isn't the very essence of TED, I don't know what is.

This brings me to the conversation starter of the post:  What are we doing to model collaboration?  How do we show our students and children that we too believe in the power of community? 

All Aboard...?

By Miriam Engstrom


Dr. Bill Renkin, a leading researcher and author, studies the direct relationship between electronics and personal communication. Most of us are engaged in electronic chatter whether it’s through email, information gathering and sharing, or social networking-it’s solidly a way of life in the 21st century. As a parent who grew up in a culture of relative luddites, (telephone party lines were an occasional thrill,) the idea that the percentage of face to face communication is trumped by instant messaging and snippets of life conveyed on Facebook posts and photos is alarming. But, I’m quickly learning that I’ve reached a point where I have to stop fighting it and begin understanding and embracing it.  My kids are on a fast train, I’m no longer the conductor, and I don’t want to be left in the dust.

This conversation goes way beyond my responsibility to set time limits. It’s not that simple. We’re fooling ourselves if we think it is. I’m talking about character development and I’m talking about keeping up with the rest of the world. Whether we like it or not, the internet is shaping our future leaders. Parents provide a foundation for growth and development, but really, we matter much less now than ever before in history.

Renkin states that electronic communication is an “extension of self.” As simple as that sounds, it’s really a huge concept. Think about it. Electronics as an extension of self. What does that mean to you? 

I was raised in a world where the idea of self was about body, mind, spirit connections, and was shaped through university lectures, coffee, and yoga~ and with a little prayer added to the mix I felt complete. The idea that Facebook is an extension of self makes me pause; but I suppose it’s true-even for me; and I suppose it’s a fact of life that cannot be reckoned with.

Yes, without doubt, the internet has opened up our world, our minds and our relationships~through Twitter, I’ve made meaningful connections with virtual strangers. There’s more information out there than I could get through in ten lifetimes, but I’m thinking particularly about social implications that directly impact my teenager’s life; and even just skimming the surface of these ideas, I have a lot of questions:

Does chronic electronic communication stymie the ability to develop intimate relationships, bonding relationships through shared experiences, and a developed sense of empathy?
How does it impact other human qualities like creative inspiration and emotional healing?
Does a child have two separate personalities? An online and and offline self? How do they merge the two? Do they have lives we won’t be privy to unless we secretly read their online conversations? I mean, we have to know that they’re making good choices, right? If they’re on-line, their choices aren’t necessarily transparent. If we suspect the worst, what are the ethical implications of spying on our children? And in doing that, what trust factors are sacrificed?

The stakes are much higher now. We don’t necessarily know who they’re talking with out there. We don’t know what they’re exposed to. It’s a rare teen who will share everything with their parents. In fact, secrets are a part of identity development. Where do we draw the line? How much do we need to know? How can we support them on their journey down the information highway? Or should we just jump aboard and allow them to show us?

Please join this conversation. I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

Spilling The Milk

Imagine A School...

Recently, I came across an amazing creation by a former colleague, Sonya ter Borg.  Sonya's work asks ALL OF US to rethink school.  Enjoy her call to 'Imagine a school,' here: Imagine A School

Sonya speaks about the importance of allowing students (and ourselves) to make mistakes.  Her text coincides perfectly with an excellent piece from The Wall Street Journal, informing educators on "How To Educate The Next Steve Jobs," available HERE

Both sources direct our attention towards a real need to tell our students that the proof might not be in the pudding.  Maybe, just maybe, the proof is in all the failed attempts at making the pudding.  (No actual pudding was harmed in the posting of this blog).

When I think of wisdom shared, I think of stories passed on about well...failures.  The greatest teachings often come in the form of lectures on so-called mistakes.  Everyone learns to walk by falling flat on their face too many times to count. 

We let children know that they aren't to cry over spilled milk...but what are we doing in order to ask them to ANALYSE, CONSIDER, REFLECT on that little white puddle?

Here's an even bigger question for us:  Are we offering an education where 'spilling the milk,' is a safe option?

Do you have a white puddle anecdote to share?  What do you think about the two texts included here?  Care to comment on that aforementioned pudding analogy?

"Honoring the creative process," from creativity expert Eric Maisel talks about the 'it's ok to make mistakes model,' here

An open letter to our school community

There are hundreds of Google pages referencing studies that specifically look at the benefits of parent involvement with their children’s education. It’s probably obvious to most that providing homework support and promoting good study habits at home is necessary for success, but the parent-school connection is just as essential.  However, this partnership goes beyond the rewards of success. It’s the foundation. Your involvement with school shapes your child’s worldview, enhances self-esteem and promotes healthy values.

Think about the idea that school is an extension of your family, thus creating an overall sense of comfort and well-being for your child. A home away from home of sorts-and you have a key to the door.

A healthy partnership provides opportunities for parents to volunteer and collaborate.  Enrichment opportunities, fundraising, and community conversation is essential, too. Why? Because it sends the message to our children that school matters.  When we develop relationships with their teachers, even if it’s just a quick hello in the hallway from time to time, children feel connected.

Naturally, when Tricia Friedman, MYP/DP English teacher and Community Service Coordinator, asked me to participate in a weekly blog intended to open up a dialogue between teachers and parents, I was intrigued. It’s an opportunity for all of us to connect, share ideas, and promote a healthy school/home family.

In this and upcoming blogs, we invite you to participate in the dialogue by sharing your comments and ideas. When Tricia and I discussed the concept, it became apparent that we are onto something with big potential, but it can only work if YOU join in.

As a parent and a psychologist, I’m naturally interested in exploring ideas about developing healthy people and thus a healthy and stable future for all.  We’ll take a look at topics like multiple intelligence, electronic communication, helping our children develop their interests, and generally supporting their feelings and experiences.

I hope you’re able take the time to join us. We look forward to your ideas and involvement.

Miriam Engstrom

Week 1: Emotional Intelligence and the role of parents and teachers in building more emotionally intelligent students

Have a look at this fantastic TED talk on vulnerability.

How do you think parents and teachers can BEST serve students in building more emotionally intelligent citizens?

http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.html 

Brené Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. She has spent the past ten years studying vulnerability, courage, authenticity, and shame. She spent the first five years of her decade-long study focusing on shame and empathy, and is now using that work to explore a concept that she calls Wholeheartedness. She poses the questions:
How do we learn to embrace our vulnerabilities and imperfections so that we can engage in our lives from a place of authenticity and worthiness? How do we cultivate the courage, compassion, and connection that we need to recognize that we are enough – that we are worthy of love, belonging, and joy?
www.ted.com