Happy Wednesday! So excited to be writing today about this topic!
If you have not been following, my very inspiring, innovative district has formed a group of educators who blog about various topics using the hashtag #D100BloggerPD. This month, we are doing a jigsaw book study on Ron Clark's Move Your Bus!
Colleen wrote the very first kick-off post, she is posting the links to the entire book study as they come! Take a quick peek!!
This post is covering:
Chapter 11 - Accept Criticism
Chapter 12 - Clean the Windshield
This is a continuance to Part 2 of the book: How to Accelerate. Here, Clark is very clearly laying out what it takes to be a Runner.
Chapter 11: Accept Criticism
Clark begins the chapter with this quote. Makes sense, right!? In order to keep progressing, there is always work to be done. There is always something that needs to be adapted, modified, created, or replaced. They may not be large scale every single time, but there is always something. I completely agree with this! As educators, we know that one year can be completely different than the one before. Really, what works one day for one lesson may not necessarily work for the next. Therefore, we are always looking for new ways to engage the students. This quote really resonated with me in that aspect. However, the way Clark explained it was a little bit different.
He writes that as a leader and principal, he is constantly giving his staff suggestions on how they could have done things, or do things more efficiently. He notes the difference in the way Runners might take the suggestions, to Walkers or even Joggers. When Runners are given criticism and suggestions they answer "Oh, good idea. I'll remember that next time!" While others might take offense to the criticism. He went on to say that the generation of 24-35 year old's were brought up to think they were "so smart and gifted and special that they take offense when someone points out that what they did was not good enough." Ron Clark himself was the same way at 24 years old, unable to understand that he wasn't always right.
Now, I do not necessarily agree with this. I know many educators between the ages of 24-35 who are very open minded, and especially reflective, and receptive to suggestions and criticisms. I think this is one of the most important characteristics to have which make you a Runner. And perhaps this is one of the reasons why D100 is so great. We are all willing to learn from each other!
Nevertheless, nobody is perfect. Mistakes are made and sometimes, we teachers get called into the principals' office. When this happens, there are 9 magic words that should be said according to Clark:
Nothing makes the situation easier than to accept you were wrong, fix it, and most importantly grow from it.
Chapter 12: Clean the Windshield
Chapter 12 begins with an anecdote.
He writes that as a leader and principal, he is constantly giving his staff suggestions on how they could have done things, or do things more efficiently. He notes the difference in the way Runners might take the suggestions, to Walkers or even Joggers. When Runners are given criticism and suggestions they answer "Oh, good idea. I'll remember that next time!" While others might take offense to the criticism. He went on to say that the generation of 24-35 year old's were brought up to think they were "so smart and gifted and special that they take offense when someone points out that what they did was not good enough." Ron Clark himself was the same way at 24 years old, unable to understand that he wasn't always right.
Now, I do not necessarily agree with this. I know many educators between the ages of 24-35 who are very open minded, and especially reflective, and receptive to suggestions and criticisms. I think this is one of the most important characteristics to have which make you a Runner. And perhaps this is one of the reasons why D100 is so great. We are all willing to learn from each other!
Nevertheless, nobody is perfect. Mistakes are made and sometimes, we teachers get called into the principals' office. When this happens, there are 9 magic words that should be said according to Clark:
Nothing makes the situation easier than to accept you were wrong, fix it, and most importantly grow from it.
Chapter 12: Clean the Windshield
Chapter 12 begins with an anecdote.
"The team has been pulling the bus at top speed all morning and, inevitably, the windshield is now covered with bug splatter."Runners are always the first to volunteer for tasks, no matter how big or small. However, Ron Clark suggests that with menial tasks such as cleaning the windshield, walkers or joggers should be the ones volunteering. Runners have been working endlessly to move the bus, it is only fair for Walkers and Joggers to carry smaller tasks out.
This may seem a little harsh but it absolutely makes sense. Runners are constantly going, going and going. Runners come up with the big ideas AND implement them. Sometimes carrying out several projects at a time. And while Runners will never admit it, or ask for it, they need help. This is where the rest of the team should step up and support them with these smaller tasks.
While reading this book, it's easy to see that Runners are Ron Clark's favorite. However, I do believe that everybody can have something to contribute to any team - as support. Everyone needs it.
Clark then goes on to explain that when you are new to an organization, there is no way you can be a Runner right off the bat. The school is new, curriculum is new, kids are new, everything is new. It takes time to get used to the culture of the school. The best way to move yourself up to a be a Runner is by volunteering for as many things as possible. Take the load off of the Runners. This saves so much time time for them, but also allows you to get to know more about the organization. Start with what interests you, then you can take off running.
Isn't that what it's all about? ...we all want our busses to fly.
Thank you so much for spending some time with me! This book is SO motivational. Definitely a must-have.
Join us on Friday for Chapters 13 and 14: Take The Hint and Listen More Than You Talk, with Amy Gorzkowski at Grammar Mamma!
I'm glad you see some different 24-35 year olds (I mean, I'm barely still making that group!) but I agree that some of us are different. But then again, if you are a Runner, you usually take constructive feedback really well, too! Great post, sorry I'm late with the comments! :-)
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