Week 4 Reading: I Am The Master Of My Experiences

Chapter 10: “Being The Board”

This chapter was probably my favorite one because it really helped me understand so many things in my life.  I liked the fact that aside from the seeing things for how they are, when I choose to take responsibility for my life and all that it encompasses, then my way of viewing it significantly changes.  This year, I will be a leader on my campus and I plan to take the “I did it” approach to leading my team of teachers.  Rather than instilling blame when things go wrong, I will instead take ownership as the leader and work for a resolution.  Ultimately, I am the master of my own experiences.  This is so empowering to think about because no matter what happens, I choose how to react to the circumstance.

Chapter 11: “Creating Frameworks for Possibility”

What really spoke strongly to me from this chapter was the essence of building frameworks with the people I work with.  That if I build on what is possible and create that “vision”, then we can prevent the negativity that sometimes takes effect when people disagree with each other.  Taking almost anything and turning it into a strategy for the good of the order is key when working with people.  I like the analogy of being the board and naming myself as the key player in building those positive relationships with whomever I come in contact with.  This way, there is no room for conflict because I have set up the framework for positivity from the beginning.

Chapter 12: “Telling The We Story”

This chapter only supports what I have previously stated about the concept of teamwork and collaboration.   If I am the catalyst for that vision, then hopefully others will follow with the same passion.  I plan to maintain the focus on the WE and not the I or the YOU, and instead, how can WE work together to better our student’s lives.