News Update :
Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Village People


Tonight, I went to a working meeting for the local school district's 5-Year Strategic Plan.  The attendees were mixed up so that each table had a variety of constituents and stakeholders.  Comprised of students, parents, teachers, administrators, business owners, and community leaders, each group had a specific piece of the plan to flesh out, discuss and develop.



The work was fascinating, but the company even more so.  I learned so much just listening to others share stories, hopes and fears.  And I found out so much about innovations in learning that I pray reach my children. I don't care how stupid it sounds -- it takes a village.

The image above is something one incredible teacher shared in my group - a model that is used to introduce new concepts and ideas to children.  Rather than have them dive straight in, this asks them to pause to acknowledge and consider their excitement, worries, needs and stance.  Don't you wish we adults did this in our daily lives? I do.

At the end of the evening, one of the students was asked to read a piece that exemplified our committee's Vicollaborative efforts -- but to me speaks to a much bigger audience.

Turning to One Another

There is no power greater than a community discovering what it cares about.
Ask: “What’s possible?” not “What’s wrong?” Keep asking.
Notice what you care about.
Assume that many others share your dreams.
Be brave enough to start a conversation that matters.
Talk to people you know.
Talk to people you don’t know.
Talk to people you never talk to.
Be intrigued by the differences you hear. Expect to be surprised.
Treasure curiosity more than certainty.
Invite in everybody who cares to work on what’s possible.
Acknowledge that everyone is an expert about something.
Know that creative solutions come from new connections.
Remember, you don’t fear people whose story you know.
Real listening always brings people closer together.
Trust that meaningful conversations can change your world.
Rely on human goodness.

Stay together.

Margaret Wheatley




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