Irving Peralta
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Just my thoughts...
I miss being in school...been thinking about my classmates and wondering how they are doing. I want to God for my new position and looking forward working as the new computer teacher at my school. I am a little nervous, but I'm hoping to review my classes from the past.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Wk 4 Classmates comments: Katie Ross
Katies
Original Post:
Wk4 Reading: Being YOU!
Excuse me,
does anyone have a lighter because I have a light that needs to be sparked!
Over the
past 11 months I’ve put a lot of things to the side to focus on school so that
I could get the most out of it. I can now say, since I can see the end so
close ( No worries Professor Joe, I’m not taking a break yet)I”ve been
thinking what I’m I going to do with all of my free time. The answer
finally came to me over a short vacation last week and it’s, volunteer for the
Big Brother Big Sister organization here in Orlando. I want to spread my spark
out to children who are just looking for a spark to follow. Who are looking for
assistance lighting their own spark. As a small speck on this big universe I
always try to give back. However the time has come for me to give back to
another person. The ending of the EMDT program is a great time for me to
pick up another life changing torch.
Sometimes in
life it’s important to just let things go. When you can’t change the
situation and you can’t make someone see your point of view, and you have done
all you can do….you just have to let it go and move on. You can’t life let you
pass it by like it did for the husband whose wife had cheated on him.
It’s ok to let things go it brings so much peace to the situation. It also
allows for growth to take place, which may even let you see a different point
of view.
The
framework of possibility is being YOU! When we stand up to right is right and
we stand up to people who are doing wrong we are creating the framework.
Sometimes that means doing something that you don’t want to do to create a
better situation, and other times it’s just speaking the truth.
I believe I
have had the pleasure to lift people up to help them do and be more. At times
I’ve been lifted up. One thing that I love is that my husband and I both
lift each other up and we also always help push each other towards the next
best thing. This chapter is one reason why I think it’s very important to
surround oneself with good people. It’s important to be around people who
you can help make better and who can help make yourself better.
My Comments,
Katie, truly an inspirational
blog post. I was reminded of the verse
in the Bible where it says that we should not let the sun go down while we are
yet angry so my wife and I try to live with such a conviction to not go to bed
mad at one another. Instead try to
sharpen each other by listening and building each other up. You hit it on the nail when you mentioned
about surrounding yourself with the right people. It’s so true since I’ve seen
it in our personal life. When we are
hanging out with depress I feel sorry about myself people, by the end of the
day we too feel the same way. But when
the other couple is full of energy and positive thinking, we don’t want to
night to end. Our desire is that my wife
and I as a couple work with others to light that spark in their life and bring
the best out of them and they bring the best out of us. Great job Katie. Go and set the world on fire! (in a good way)
Wk 4 Classmates Comments: Dara Easterling
Dara’s
original post:
I
know that this seems a little too far left but the organization that I have in
mind for the leadership role model is Starbucks. They are a coffee
company that has branded themselves in such a way that they are known all over;
I want to be like that and strive to be like that. I want to be known all
over for a good product or providing good service. Some of the things
that I admire about them are their ensuring that customers and consumers have a
variety in what they are getting. Also, they work things out so that they
are doing a service to others just like a teacher does in the classroom.
By that I mean that not only serve but also they provide skills to others
through community outreach and through their actions (i.e. recycling and
repurposing of materials).
I
have to say that my leadership style will be more like theirs as well as
incorporating transformational leadership which has been addressed quite well
in the book for this course, The Art of Possibility. I have grown more
and stepped up to take the lead in more ways especially as a result of graduate
programs I have taken part in and know that the power to change and motivate is
in my hands. I can do more and create more opportunities and
possibilities for change, success, and growth to occur with just the use of
words, materials, or actions.
I
can be that change in the world!
My comments,
Dara, awesome analogy.
I can see it Darabucks! Has a nice ring to it. The leadership style has been one that, like
you said, revolves around meeting the costumer’s need. They are open early and close up late. They have an assembly line style where they
take your order, prepare it, and hand it out. We receive our kids at the beginning
of the year, prepared them as best as we can, and then pass them to the next
grade level. I like that they write your name on the cup to make sure that what
is being prepared will go to the right person.
Kind of like when we individualize instruction; we know that not all
students learn the same. I also see the
way they have the extras. You know how
you can add more sugar or honey to your coffee.
It’s like when we give students a project, each will add their own
flavor or mixture to fit their interest.
Wk 4 Leadership Blog: Mrs. Mitchell
I
came across this amazing teacher while I was looking for ideas on how to use
the iPad in the classroom. Her name is Jeannetta
Mitchell and she has been teaching for more than 20 years. She teaches 8th
grade Math and uses the iPad to replace books, complete quizzes, and take
notes. She is funny and engaging. Her students love her and like coming to
class because is not your typical classroom atmosphere. The students use their iPads to work on
assignments and homework since they are able to take their hardware home to
study and explore. I look at teachers
like her and want to be like them. I
want to be able to write grants to bring equipment like the iPad to my
classroom and use it just like Mrs. Mitchell is using hers. I want to engage my students to look beyond
paper and pencil activities and find my classroom fun and challenging. I want students to see me and have confidence
that I know what I’m talking about and am well trained to lead them beyond what
is required by my state. I want to be
secured in what I do and be prepared more than enough to walk through our
lessons and have feedback from my students.
I don’t want to feel lost or confused when working with new
technology. I want to be caught up with
the latest and walk with my head up high knowing that I am ready to pour my
knowledge to my students. I want for my
students to benefit from my ideas and for me to benefit from their deliverables.
If I was to compare myself to anything else, I would compare myself to an ice cream truck. You know the kind that drives through the neighborhood playing that lovely tune. Why? Because I would like to be known by the tune of my leadership. Students know who I am, what I sound like, and what I have to offer. I might not be Blue Bell Inc. but I sure am full of their products.
If I was to compare myself to anything else, I would compare myself to an ice cream truck. You know the kind that drives through the neighborhood playing that lovely tune. Why? Because I would like to be known by the tune of my leadership. Students know who I am, what I sound like, and what I have to offer. I might not be Blue Bell Inc. but I sure am full of their products.
Wk 4 Wimba Class
Sorry I could't make it to our Wimba session this week. This is what I gathered once I watch the class late at night. My answer to the question about how is the art of possibility different from the power of positive thinking or oprah's the secret would be that they are some what the same since they each give examples of real people's experiences and bring a resolution by the choices made by the individuals. I like what one student commented saying "Gives you the view point of how things are possible and different point of view to look at things".
My favorite chapters are a mixture of number 3 "Giving an A" and number 9 "Lighting a Spark". I love the concept of giving an A. Really considering using this idea next year. Start each week or semester having the students write the reasons why they received an A in my class. I would like to see how their work habits change as they focus more on the product rather than the grade. I also like chapter 9 because of the story of the "failure" school that was touched and moved by the symphony band. I was imagining it the whole time seeing the kids faces light up when all those people came to play for their school. I wonder if that little boy who got to conduct the band is doing now. I wonder if he himself has become a band director. I know one thing for sure, he will never forget the experience.
I will definitely, as I said earlier, use the concept of giving an A in my classroom. I will also have the mentality that there is a universe of possibilities out there and not sale myself short. Will make a poster about keeping Rule Number 6 in mind always and look to find the better framework when facing opposition. Ultimately the next move is on my board and I have the power to make things better or worse.
My favorite chapters are a mixture of number 3 "Giving an A" and number 9 "Lighting a Spark". I love the concept of giving an A. Really considering using this idea next year. Start each week or semester having the students write the reasons why they received an A in my class. I would like to see how their work habits change as they focus more on the product rather than the grade. I also like chapter 9 because of the story of the "failure" school that was touched and moved by the symphony band. I was imagining it the whole time seeing the kids faces light up when all those people came to play for their school. I wonder if that little boy who got to conduct the band is doing now. I wonder if he himself has become a band director. I know one thing for sure, he will never forget the experience.
I will definitely, as I said earlier, use the concept of giving an A in my classroom. I will also have the mentality that there is a universe of possibilities out there and not sale myself short. Will make a poster about keeping Rule Number 6 in mind always and look to find the better framework when facing opposition. Ultimately the next move is on my board and I have the power to make things better or worse.
Wk 4 Reading Art of Possibility: Graduation
This book continues to bring awesome memories back from when
I was in Jr. High and High School and how everything I went through as a band
member is now helping me to be a great teacher.
Seriously, we should have started Full Sail University reading this book. What I like about it the most are the
stories. Most books are just what one
individual thinks or his/her research, but this book contains substance by
bringing us in the lives of real people.
I love the story of the 10 year old from the ‘failing’ school who was
given a chance to conduct the band. WOW! What a dream and all because a man was
able to enroll others to see the positive outcome of what seem to be
pointless. I now can relate to the
feeling I get when our 4th graders graduate. For the past two years we’ve been able to
take our kids to their actual future high school and have them walk the
auditorium stage as they receive their diploma.
We are the only school in our district doing this and believe me that it
brings chills to know that they will eventually attend that school. From the
proud parents to their bright smiles it is worth spending that money to rent
the buses and purchase the balloons.
We’ve enrolled ourselves in our community and have benefited from their
positive feedback and gratitude. Sure, we cannot please every parent even when
the place sat more than enough people there were still complaints. But as I
learned from the book, when this situation gets on the board I have the
opportunity to make the change and help solve the problem or make it
worse. As they say, “the ball is in my
court”. What I will do next time is
choose a better framework. See this as
an opportunity to make our graduation ceremony better the following year. Constructive criticism.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Wk 3 Classmates Comments: Mary WIlson
Mary Original Post
Week 3 reading: moving on to rule number 6
this book was well worth the wait, the book is like opening
a door where you are suddenly blinded by bright light, at first it is so bright
you cant see anything you just close your eyes and take in the new feeling, as
you stand there longer you start to acclimate to this new environment and try
to figure out how you can share this amazing feeling with others.
this is where i am with this book, i was amazed by the first
few chapters. now my head is spinning on how and where to use these new found
ideas. i have already told my mom, my sister and two teachers about this book.
i have restructured my final so that the students will be able to express
themselves in a way that is more comfortable for them instead of how i wanted
it.
i had assigned a project as their final exam because most of
my students do not do well on traditional tests and i thought a project would
be a better way for them to express their creativity. i had one student who
seemed really bummed about the project and really was not doing anything. when
i asked him what was wrong he said he would rather just take a test, i
immediately said no and got kind of mad that he had even asked, i mean i spent
a lot of time designing a project that i thought the students would enjoy and
excel at, so i told him to try the project and left it at that. lucky for him i
read over the art of possibility and reflected on my decision and thought maybe
i should not take my decision so seriously, maybe i should ask him what he
thought of the whole thing. we had a discussion and we decided that i would
make him a test and that would stand in for his final project. after the
conversation i noticed he was smiling, he said mrs. wilson i probably look
really happy on the outside right now, but on the inside i am ten times
happier, i am jumping around and screaming, you have made me so happy. thank
you for listening to me.
Drawn by: Alinn
|
These are the moments i live for as a teacher. it is one i
will hold on to and cherish, not just for the happiness of the students but for
the lesson i learned.
My comments:
What a story! You not only made this young man’s day, but
mine too. The author is probably very
proud that his dream has come true through you.
His writing has made a difference in all of us. I like your illustration
of the bright light and opening the door.
Very good way of putting it to perspective. I too started the thinking
process of how I’m going to use the ideas from this book in my school. I don’t want to overwhelm others, but at
least introduce it to them. If anything
else I want to be able to listen to my students more than I had before just
incase I come across a situation like the one that you’ve shared with us. I have already applied the idea of not taking
myself so seriously that instead of just monitoring my kids during recess, I’m
actually playing soccer, or even jumping rope.
They love the fact that I can be their teacher and have a good sense of
humor.
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