CPL Aromas’ Post

THINK ON THIS: EDUCATOR PROCLAMATIONS AND THE STOCKDALE PARADOX Friends, when I did my first TEDx talk in October of 2022 I was fueled by a few things--one of which was a belief that educators are THOUGHT LEADERS and we don't know it. Those of us who give ourselves permission to think deeply and to see ourselves as connected the larger world and its problems, that is. Those of us who try to live as SOLUTIONISTS with an eye for helping to address challenges rather than just bemoan them. I've decided that I will start sharing thoughts here on video. The purpose of these shares is threefold: 1. Share an important thought that I think is worth putting before my educator peers and friends from other fields 2. Make connections among the state of things and what might be 3. Highlight the idea that educators are and should be seen as thought partners and thought leaders who can bring an important perspective to any table. So let's get into it! THINK ON THIS, April 29, 2024: EDUCATOR PROCLAMATIONS AND THE STOCKDALE PARADOX

An old friend and fantastic teacher sent me a letter today that spoke to my heart. He mentioned about the challenges we face in education, but also how he appreciated my consistent positive message. Being in the field for over three decades provides many opportunities to reflect. One key that I have learned is how hurdles have always existed, and always will. It’s true that some of those bumps in the road have changed. A few are more daunting than in prior years, but the same was said 30 years ago. My message isn’t meant to diminish those challenges, but to instead focus on conquering them. As a wellness educator the daily habits we develop and master are key. Things like… 1. Saying “good morning!” 2. Greeting students as they enter class. 3. Sharing a positive message. 4. Being attentive to body language (both students and ours) 5. Establishing/building collegial relationships. 6. Fostering authentic leadership. 7. Focusing on the success we create. Again, the seven ideas above won’t stop every issue we face, but that misses the point. Having a mostly happy (not perfect) outlook does promote a safer, stress-free, and academically stimulating school. Plus, you and your students will share habits that others can latch on to. It is a win/win! Good luck, and feel free to ask for help. Craig

Don't underestimate the power of experiential learning. Those moments when you've had to navigate #obstacles, unexpected twists and turns, massive failures, and savored success have been some of your most #impactful teachers. As you reflect on your own unique #journey, remember that it's not just about what you know, but how you've applied it in the #REALWORLD. Embrace your experiences, for they hold the wisdom that textbooks can't fully capture. Take a moment to ponder the most significant lesson you've learned through your life experiences. Share it in the comments below and inspire others with your wisdom. 🧡 #resilience #wisdom #wellbeing #mentalhealth #education #keynotespeaker #inspiration #motivation #bshawnow #retail #hospitality #retailmanagement #retailfair #retailconference #professionalspeaker #conferencespeaker

In the latest edition of Education Today magazine, Welbee's CEO Mark Solomons has some words of wisdom for fostering a positive wellbeing culture, and he explains why leading by example is always best when it comes to encouraging staff to 'live' those values.   #wellbeing #wellbeingatwork #wellbeingculture #leadership

Imagine yourself standing on a crowded street. Cars honk, sirens blare, and people chatter. It's overwhelming. 💫 But if you need to find a specific store, you tune out the background noise and focus on the signs and directions. As educators, we face a similar challenge. Every student brings a unique blend of emotions, anxieties, and learning styles. 🌸 The key to unlocking their potential lies in discerning the signal from the noise. This allows you to tailor your approach, addressing the underlying issue rather than just reacting to the outward behavior. 🌱 📚 #Education #Teaching #Teenagers #Resilience #GrowthMindset #Leadership #SelfCare #Wellbeing #EducatorEmpowerment #StudentSuccess

📑 New publication from me! I wrote a short piece for the Teaching Notes section of the American Journal of Arts Management about how I teach team work skills in my arts management class. Three key elements that arts professionals do without thinking about it, but are new to students: 1️⃣ taking time to discuss the process, 2️⃣ making a work plan for big projects, and 3️⃣ what I call "compassionate accountability" amongst team members. Read the article and watch a short video explainer here. Let me know if you use these techniques in your class or with your team and how it goes! https://lnkd.in/eZEaYQ8i

✅ Successfully completed The Science of Well-Being course from Yale! 👩🎓 🧘♀️ Upon the completion of this course I have realise how important it is to practice healthy expectations from yourself and from the material things you dream about. We always expect material items to give us a more fulfilling feeling than they usually do. Studies shown that the happiness level has a minimum increase in score when purchasing a highly desired item and is decreasing back to its original state a few hours later after the big purchase. This level also has almost no change when people validate our purchase and acknowledge our rich lifestyle. 🧘♀️ Even if this course did not taught me how to create the perfect marketing strategy or build a website, it did teach me how to stay grounded and be at peace with my work, and I believe more people should learn that, especially if you are looking to lead and motivate. 🤔 Do you think more people acknowledging their well-being would make a difference in the professional field? #wellbeingatwork #leadershipdevelopment #goodpractices #onlinecourses #yaleuniversity

Sir Kenneth Robinson (rip) Singularly, the most inspirational academic of a generation & more; I find him captivating. Here talking about how we quash creativity & free thinking in children; how we demonise mistake-making & risk-taking. In this video, substitute education with policing & the narrative is just as apt. Add in the latent scandal of the systemic & monopolised commercialisation of our further & higher education sector, & it’s no wonder that we struggle to see genuine high performance in many aspects of today’s world. We need to encourage those that think differently, but also find a different balance between blame, responsibility & culpability, as currently, we hammer the practitioner who makes genuine mistakes but ignore the executives who lead their organisations into failure. Time to change me thinks. https://lnkd.in/eGXre7TU

When my students come to the classroom, they do more than merely arrive; they bring a dose of themselves – their thoughts, their unique perspectives – into our collective journey of learning. Here, our learning intentions often embark on exciting and unexpected turns as they fearlessly challenge ideas, scrutinise the validity of conclusions, elaborate on points of contention, engage in passionate discussions, and collaboratively tackle complex problems. In this dynamic and often bustling space, my role as an educator has become an art of keen observation and thoughtful interpretation. I'm dedicated to not just hearing but truly listening to their thinking as downloaded, carefully observing their interactions, and delving into the intricate processes of their minds as they generously share their insights. This deep understanding empowers me to recalibrate and adjust my teaching strategies, ensuring that every student's journey is uniquely tailored to their needs. The bedrock of our pedagogy lies in the firm belief that learning is a direct consequence of thinking. Students' individual ideas serve as a stepping stone for one another's growth, creating a vibrant ecosystem of intellectual exchange and personal development. What emerges is an exhilarating and transformative learning environment, one that thrives on nurturing a culture where every student's thinking is elevated and celebrated! 🌱 In this space of #CulturesOfThinking - Gratitude to Kambala for hosting last week's Cultures of Thinking in Action with Dr. Ritchhart. It never ceases to amaze me how contagious the passion for enhancing students' learning experiences can be when surrounded by dedicated educators. Many thanks to Cameron Paterson for his great session on Education Leadership in a Rapidly Changing World - Many takeaways 🙌 #Susan Garson #trust #CulturesOfThinking #Pedagogy #EmpoweringStudents #TransformativeLearning #mindsets #PZAUS

Ever encountered a mind full of knowledge, yet lacking empathy? I have, many times.   That's why, as an educator, I'm aware that only educating the heart is futile; only educating the mind is even more futile; and educating neither is the most futile of all. It's crucial to remember that true education encompasses both the mind and the heart.   Here's why: 💛 Empathy fosters understanding: Teaching empathy alongside academics cultivates a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives. 💛 Social and emotional skills are essential: Building emotional intelligence equips students to navigate relationships and challenges effectively. 💛 Contributing to a compassionate society: Educating the heart instils values of kindness and empathy, shaping future leaders who prioritize collective well-being.   Let's strive for holistic education that nurtures both intellect and compassion. After all, “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” #holisticeducation #mindandheart