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
Hi, this is Jahari Mitchell. I have something I want to share and I'm going to call this think on this. I want you to just think about something with me. I hope I can get this done in about 7 minutes. And this is for educators, but it's also for anyone else who sees it as fitting and relevant for them. OK. So this was, this came to me two times today. And so I knew I probably needed to say something about it because it really resonated with me. So first of all, I was talking to an author friend today who was doing work around diversifying STEM and making sure the pipeline to STEM careers is saturated with talent from all kinds of places, right? And so I said to her, I really appreciate what you're doing. Shout out to you, Savannah, I said I really appreciate what you're doing. And she talked about how a lot of times kids are intimidated If they haven't seen or known people in their personal world who are in these STEM careers, they're intimidated. I don't think they can pursue them. And so she said that, you know, what's important is to reach out to people who are doing it, people who may look like you, who may have your background, who can share information with you. But as we talked about it, the intimidation factor was kind a lot of times from things that educators say to young people or counselors, things that are discouraging. And through the years, I've heard people who have made it, they've arrived somewhere and they'll look back and they'll say, yeah, my teacher told me I never could. And the counselor. Told me that I would never be, and I always think are people really saying this stuff, but they are. And I don't know who they are. I don't know where they are, where they're located. But people are saying some very discouraging things to young people, and that's always disturbed me because. I I've always thought we can say a lot of things. We might be frustrated with things that kids are doing whatever. But one thing that we should dare not do is to stand in the God complex place right where we are declaring the people what they can be, what their possibilities are and limiting them with our words and with our expectations. Who are we? How do we think we have the right to do that to people, right. So always wondered about who are these people who are doing this? OK, so my son, I had him read this book to me today. A black architect. And it talks about how it says Paul can see his future as clearly as a blueprint, but not his guidance counselor. Whoever heard of a ***** architect in the early 1900s? Most black people can't buy fine houses or expensive buildings. The chances of a white man hiring Paul seem even slimmer. The councillor begs Paul to study medicine or law, anything but architecture. He doesn't even look at Paul's portfolio. For the first time in Paul's life, he crashes right into the big stone wall of racism. So. At least the I'm glad that the counselor at least was trying to steer him towards something that had some, you know, possibility in it. But he was killing this young man's dreams because of his expectations, because of what he believed could happen. Instead of saying, you know what son, I haven't seen it happen before, but why not? That's what I'm really here to talk about today for educators. We cannot afford to sit in the God complex place and make declarations over children that are not life giving. We don't have that. Power. We should not give ourselves that authority because there are too many stories of us, we who are charged with speaking life over young people. There are too many stories of people crushing folks dreams with their words and low expectations, and we need to stop it. One of the things I think a lot about is that public education is going to be obsolete if we don't structurally and systemically change some things, but also if we don't individually those of us who take ownership of. Our role in the system, if we don't watch the way we handle young people, they have more options now. And in public education we have got to make sure in all facets of education that we're handling people with care. So the other thing I thought about that I wanted to share really fast. Is the good to great book by Jim Collins and he talks about Admiral. I believe it's this title is Admiral Stockdale, who was a prisoner of war. And many of you know the story in Vietnam for years. And he came to this conclusion that you can't just have this raging optimism that everything's just going to work out and be all right, right. But you also can't have this pragmatic, this is what the facts are, and it's horrible and terrible and just sit right there. There has to be a combination. Of, he says. Being willing to confront the brutal facts of what really what you're facing, confronting those facts head on, and at the same time holding on to hope that better is coming and the Stockdale Paradox is a really good way for us to understand this. This, this dualism, this, these really hard facts that are in front of us and the hope and optimism that more is coming. So I brought an example. Unfortunately, this crock pot that we had, it fell and it broke. This is a broken crock pot. I brought this to the library all so I could make this. Demonstration for you. It's a broken crock pot. I have to face the brutal facts that this crock pot is broken. It is what it is. I can't speak that. It's whole and beautiful and well, if it's not, it's broken, right? It is what it is. But if I say this crock pot is broken, therefore I'll never eat again. What a tragic loss of opportunity for me to declare that because this crock pot is broken. Yes, that is a true fact. That I can never eat again. That all hope is lost. That I'm going to starve to death. Why would I do that? I have to confront the brutal facts. That this crock pot is broken and at the same time hold on to optimism. That I can still eat again. That it is possible for me to eat well and to prepare good meals in a crock pot. Now, how that's going to look, how I'll get another one. What's going to happen down the road? We have to work towards that. But that's my demonstration of the duality, the Stockdale paradox, Whatever you want to. Call it yes, there are brutal, hard facts in front of us, but we can't stop with those and just fold our arms and say to our young people that is what it is, They need us to have some hope. And so, yes, confront the brutal facts, tell them the truth, but have that hope and that love on the other side where we're saying, But you know what? Anything is possible. And let's work from the facts towards the future. Right from the facts to the future. Don't get stuck in the facts. Y'all. I'm not going to sit here and tell myself I can't eat again. Absolutely not. I will eat again and I'll figure out how. Because I'm a solutionist. I'm a problem solver and hope springs eternal. Yes, I get frustrated. Yes, I get down. But I will not let that be the determining factor. So that's my work today. To fellow educators, please let us remember. Yes, confront the brutal facts, but also hold on to the hope. And we have to speak hope and we have to speak life. OK. That's it. I hope you all have a great day and I'll talk to you soon. Thank on this.
Book references: "Curve & Flow: The Elegant Vision of L.A. Architect Paul R. Williams" by Andrea J. Loney & Keith Mallett; "Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't" by Jim Collins.
We're thrilled to share this insightful article by Dr. Gordon Amerson Ed.D. an educational influencer. In this article, you will find three key strategies to help academic leaders keep pace and set the bar for innovation. Let's work together to empower educators and leaders to create a brighter future for education. To read the full article, click here: https://lnkd.in/d3s8APyi
Leaders doing the work are the only ones who can provide real talk: Real talk about culture, strategy, funding, and partnerships. That’s why we gathered leaders from across the country to learn from each other and collaborate on tangible solutions at The Oakland REACH’s first-ever REACH Way Institute last November. We were honest about what it takes to build meaningful change and intentional about how we talked about the very real challenges, burdens, and opportunities in this work.
One participant said, “This was the greatest learning experience I have had as a professional in as long as I can remember.”
Curious to learn more about RWI and hear from Cohort 1 participants?? Watch our latest video:
Teacher, Speaker, Author of Dream Big: Stories and Strategies for a Successful Classroom. SEL Liaison and Strength Club coordinator - National Champion Powerlifter. - Cutting The Crap with Shap Podcast YouTube/Spotify
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
Shown below is the link to the first of a 3-part series of blogs on a case study on changing a university's culture. Next week: Part II.
https://lnkd.in/gT8SJxCB
Alexis, this was a concrete and useful definition of coaching. It was so cool to hear you describe your journey and the important role that values play in our career and life happiness. Thanks for sharing!!
For anyone wondering what’s next for them, take a tip from Alexis and seriously look at your values and how they are aligned or not with your goals.
Executive Coach & Leadership Consultant | Team Building Expert | Learning & Development Specialist | ACC, CPC, EdM
Surprised that I’m almost ten years out of graduate school - it feels like yesterday sometimes.
Honored to have been featured in the Harvard Alumni for Ed speaker series. This conversation focused on those who have pivoted - doing different things in and outside of education than they were before.
Grateful for Ashley Smallwood, M.Ed. who has always been a fab thought partner and now is leading good work like this program in the HGSE alumni space.
Shocked I could cram that much content into “no more than 8 minutes-ish.” (And a bit embarrassed by my lightning fast speaking!)
I start at about 18:30. And the other speakers were so fabulous and worth watching.
https://lnkd.in/g6J8DSVA
"If we're not on social media telling our story, then we're missing 85% of our target market. I guarantee somebody's telling a story, and it may not always be the best version." - Jerry Almendarez.
A strong social media presence for schools and its leadership is essential for recruitment success. It is especially critical for international schools in challenging environments that have to counter negative news on a daily basis. My Deep Dive at AAIE's Global Leadership Conversation will provide international school leaders with practical tools to enhance their social media presence, give participants a platform to learn from each other's social media experiences, and dive into the latest research and best practices on our recruiting strategies and process. I am looking forward to the conversation.
Below are a few quotes and resources that help bring this message across:
"The view of a school from the inside, looking out, is much different than from the outside, looking in. We must tell our stories, and social media gives us that platform," Salome Thomas-EL, Ed.D.
Whiteleather, M. (2022, October 25). "3 Reasons School and District Leaders Should Get on Social Media."educationweek.orghttps://lnkd.in/e-XdU6aT
"One of the most effective ways you can recruit well is by leveraging your website and social media platforms to showcase your school's unique offerings and values." (Cook, J. & Rios, R. 2023).
Cook, J., & Rios, R. (2023, February 22). "How to Use Your Website and Social Media to Attract Teachers and Staff." Tcea. https://lnkd.in/esX6RarE
"If we're not on social media telling our story, then we're missing 85% of our target market. I guarantee somebody's telling a story, and it may not always be the best version." - Jerry Almendarez.
Gribble, A. (2022, November 11). "What Happens When School Leaders Embrace Social Media?" #SocialSchool4EDUhttps://lnkd.in/eS9g4mvr
Shown below is the link to the first of a 3-part series of blogs on a case study on changing a university's culture. Next week: Part II.
https://lnkd.in/g3k7JStJ
Greeting educators! My name is Steve Fredlund and I am a professional speaker who shares compelling stories and deep insights to audiences around the country, including students, educators and administrators. My talks are especially effective with those who focus on serving others but are starting to feel burnout from increasing expectations, reduced resources, and not being fully staffed. Does that sound like education at all?
Working in education is like an African safari, an ongoing experience blending excitement and stress. When we apply the same intentionality that goes into a safari to our work, we find ourselves more engaged in our mission, less burnt out, and happier in both work and our personal lives. Steve Fredlund is known as “The Safari Dude” and he uses compelling stories from the savannah to invite us to renew our passion for work and leadership by choosing our experience, getting the right peeps in our Jeeps, doing the unright thing, taking in the view and embracing the adventure.
Through the lens of an African safari, Steve Fredlund shares the “Big 5” keys to becoming happier in life, work and leadership. This 30-90 minute keynote is ideal for general audiences (leaders and non-leaders) who need a boost to become happier in life and at work. This talk explores five things (the “Big 5”) that make an African safari epic and also increase personal fulfillment.
https://bit.ly/3VE1C63
What are you doing tomorrow, December 5th, at 3PM EST?
If you're a school leader, your answer should be that you're tuning in for our webinar about our new book, Invest In Your Best.
We going to reveal the magic behind two key practices that can be scaled from your best teachers to everyone else:
💻 Data-Informed Feedback: What it is, why it works, and how principals can deliver it in ways that celebrate teachers’ efforts and nurture self- and collective-efficacy.
💙 Personalized Professional Learning: Why PL needs to be personalized, and how you can make it happen while honoring the value of your time and your teachers’ time.
We'll see you tomorrow!
TeachFXConnie Hamilton Ed.S.Joseph JonesTodd WhitakerRoutledge Education
Get the book: https://amzn.to/3R9x0W9
Register for the webinar: teachfx.com/principals
Educator | Author | Strategist | Catalyst | TEDx Solutionist. I help you link vision to opportunity through the power of words.
3moBook references: "Curve & Flow: The Elegant Vision of L.A. Architect Paul R. Williams" by Andrea J. Loney & Keith Mallett; "Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't" by Jim Collins.