An Ethic Of Excellence- Building a Culture of Craftsmanship with Students
“I believe that work of excellence is transformational. Once a student sees that he or she is capable of excellence, that student is never quite the same”.
(Page 8)
As I started reading this book, I enjoyed every word, every line, every paragraph, and every page. Initial excitement, understanding, note taking and reflecting … I followed the same process as I follow for my “reading habit”. Every bit shared, every bit explained, every task and the process behind these task simplified with a reason that needs no justification! Book grows on you! It was so convincing…. … my earlier books have also helped me grow; and helped me broaden my horizon, helped me multi task and integrate! And yet as I continued …my, self-image was shattered. My practices had a unique set of paradigm and I was happy about results that these parameters gave, proved me authentic and helped me sail further. This book challenged the basic foundation! I need to demolish most of what I have constructed so far… and restart. Was this because I was reading a book? Or a book and writer for the first time? Or for the book challenged me!! Why am I so vulnerable? As I am afraid that castle that I have built needs to be restructured and do I have time?
This book is one of those few books that are very personal and very passionate, very authentic in creating work of ethic and value.
At the very first instant, during my reading, rather skimming, while my brain was just registering words, black and white… I, at a different level was always trying to find out my practices and match them to what was being shared, documented, as evidence and was a Force that became “Culture”! The struggle continued and I was happy that I have some traits, some practices, some links, some procedures, some things from every nook and corner! What was the sum total of this learning practice? It certainly gave results, it made students successful, it made other stakeholders come and follow the similar practices, it made me happy, satisfied and content…. But all these put together could not convert the tasks and students to become a “culture”!
My mirror, my paradigm shift and my questions to self … were poking, bothering me to the extent of hurting me! There are more of probing and reflective questions about perceptions in my environment, in my schooling system, which revolves around Math, Science and English and GRADES!! After all in my systems grades matter!! This is very much similar to what is happening in my country and other schooling systems around! My answers, my responses and ability to find connection in my action seemed so dwarf! If reading is transformational!! This is it! I love this book for this very reason, without any claim, without any accusation, without any force, without letting you know, it becomes your second skin, and it converts! Transforms your process of learning and eventually turning classrooms and has potential of becoming a culture!
What an apt title for the book! An Ethic of Excellence!
My first understanding!!!
Greedily, I await next book! A culture of Quality :)
How do you share a culture? An Ethic?
(page 4)
Do you share a culture? How does one share so if it the same is shared? I was pondering over these questions! These questions were my inquiry, I was constantly comparing the same with my experiences from my work at mental health clinic – special needs years!! Every task when initiated, seemed an overwhelming task; task that had a beginning and no specific end.
While reading this book; I liked the way a task was broken into sub question, into example, into self explanatory situation, that constructed awareness and brought clarity. Clarity in instruction, in classroom, for accepted standards, behavior, and for creating and maintain the culture of excellence. I was transfixed by the “quick fix” metaphor.
“Starting small” stays with me now forever….
Am I part of this quick fix game? Have I knowingly or unknowingly started playing the same tunes? And have I started convincing self for the failures that are common under the pretext “I am doing my bit…. I may not be able change the whole world”?
Have I convinced self with this belief and started laying foundation of this myth to my work?! This question and my responses to self, helped me connect to the line; “Good schools have an Ethic, a culture, which supports and compels students to try and succeed.” I see more power in these lines now, “I don’t believe there’s a shortcut to building a new culture. It’s a long term commitment. It’s a way of life” ( page 4)
The schooling and society that we have today is result of years of work, focus of a different century, different kind. It is not about 21st century…. The same debate would have taken place in 15th or 18th! Excellence was need of the hour for each generation/ century. Time we took to adapt is the question and process that we follow is in question.
We are again at those defining moment wherein we feel that schooling must offer values- basic values of integrity, respect, responsibility, compassion and hard work. We need to build school cultures that model these attributes (page 7- last paragraph)
This thought is lingering in my mind like ‘ after eight – mint chocolate’… everyone talks about raising the bar- the numerical score- but how does one measure broad range attributes that schools wants to develop and is expected to develop- character, work ethic, attitudes, academic skills, understanding, thinking strategies, social skills, ethical skills…….
I am just curious about the drafts for this book! Not a word more or less, not a word that is inappropriate or out of place!!
I am recommending “shared reading” to all my colleagues and friends and for my Book Club!! Sharing culture of excellence begins… :)
“One of, my jobs as teacher I feel is to be an historian of excellence, and achiever of excellence.”
(Page 29)
I couldn't have agreed to any other statement about this relationship between school, students and teachers! This book is not only about getting students to do excellent school work, but through this channel ask other stakeholders to raise the bar! Expecting quality work, which has certain well defined standards and benchmark! For this the first step is to create a culture of excellence with in a school. Ron, rather Mr. B! describes the methods and approaches to create this ethic. Book takes each one of us through various experiences not to convince the power in Project or what is termed as “excellence” but in creating and culminating culture – of ethic / culture of excellence.
Ron Berger (Mr. B) gives us a definite vision for educational reforms and how to bring in those changes. He uses his skills from his, another profession and this diversity, defining, quality, excellence has helped him craft, demand quality from his children/ school! He sets his criteria for students’ work based on what is agreed upon standard and expectations! He connects this to his work as a carpenter where he strives to be a craftsman in his work as a carpenter. “I want a classroom full of craftsmen. I want students whose work is strong and accurate and beautiful. Students who are proud of what they do, proud of how they respect both themselves and others.”
This quote helped me restate, reconstruct my PLP from LSP this year. I hope this is the largest area of improvement in my teaching and learning practices resulting in more matured relationships with my students.
I have seen this happening in my school system too, though to a very small section! When students come and join IB diploma program. These students they learn to challenge themselves and in the same time duration (Roughly two years) complete and do much more than their peers in national curriculum. Both start at the same level but the journey takes them to a different destination. IB demands work, authentic work, insists on originality, demands regular work and students produce the same. The process is amazing!
“Students adjust their attitudes and efforts in order to fit into culture” (page 34)
“We can’t first build the students’ self esteem and then focus on their work. It is trough their own work that their self esteem will grow” (page 65)
Mr. B (Though I take this liberty, I am not sure if I can refer him, address him by this name! I would love to do so, like all other students of his school, refereed in book! I guess I am in his classroom and learning!)brings in another aspect of process of teaching and learning. Book, this quote reflects insight into student teacher relationship and how much Mr. B loves his students. Building self esteem for students to create excellent work and creating environment that will help produce the same. Appreciation, compliments alone can NOT build self esteem! This is process that needs fine balance. Most educators focus on only one, “complimenting”- which may lead to creating, accepting, and mediocre work! Why is this one close to my heart? I love the field of education, that brought me to this field from insurance industry and my work with underprivileged consolidated this belief; while reflecting on work presented by students for TOK. My context is philosophy. I attempt to articulate in my classroom Emotions, Ethics, Reason, Logic, Language, Sciences and their relationship that connects the world.
I can sometimes see the vision that they are developing though, I want my students to engage in a process of reviewing, refining, and pursuing excellence in their thinking and in their work. I, at times end up complimenting them for work that does not have standards, reflects thought process, thinking that this action of mine may boost their morale and bring skills for understanding and reading philosophy! Mr. B, is actually helping me to articulate the kind of questions I need to ask about my own classroom and my own teaching style through this book.
My connections and my PLP document- revisited: - I want to “learn” and not to “imitate”. Power of learning lies in creation!!
Page 85:- Reflections here have helped me understand the original creation and creation based on modeling, inspirational work from others and imbibing them into your work culture. The concept and understanding given for “tribute work” helps me now reduce my fears for PBL, my DP and my journey as LSP student. My constant struggle with self for plagiarism and originality is by and large now resolved. I see power in tribute work! Ethics involved in learning from such work. As I reflect I see that in my poetry (I write in Hindi- language that I did my schooling in! I am influenced by writing style of poet Girijakumar Mathur, and for some time I felt my writing resembles his style!) my work had impressions from poet, writers I read!
Understanding the power of tribute work, work built on ideas and extension of ideas is also beautiful work! Work of excellence! Ability to look for such models that will bring in ideas and brilliance is what I have understood.
My journey will not be for looking out for original, new ideas… but will be for searching the models that make every day very exciting. I summarize my understanding of the second toolbox as; there is a reason to do the work well and it’s not just because someone wants it that way! (Ref. page 99)
With my role in my school system, I see some pieces in place and some that need alignment, adjustment, discarding some pieces, however scared they may be! Connections on page 32 “starting small” and it’s link on page 152… helps me complete the cycle. There are many things we discuss, but it is better to improve one aspect of a culture and do it really better.
Like some of my books…. This will be a book which I will rely on when I am in conflict, when I look for mirror, when I need critiquing self practices, when I want to grow and challenge.
(Page 8)
As I started reading this book, I enjoyed every word, every line, every paragraph, and every page. Initial excitement, understanding, note taking and reflecting … I followed the same process as I follow for my “reading habit”. Every bit shared, every bit explained, every task and the process behind these task simplified with a reason that needs no justification! Book grows on you! It was so convincing…. … my earlier books have also helped me grow; and helped me broaden my horizon, helped me multi task and integrate! And yet as I continued …my, self-image was shattered. My practices had a unique set of paradigm and I was happy about results that these parameters gave, proved me authentic and helped me sail further. This book challenged the basic foundation! I need to demolish most of what I have constructed so far… and restart. Was this because I was reading a book? Or a book and writer for the first time? Or for the book challenged me!! Why am I so vulnerable? As I am afraid that castle that I have built needs to be restructured and do I have time?
This book is one of those few books that are very personal and very passionate, very authentic in creating work of ethic and value.
At the very first instant, during my reading, rather skimming, while my brain was just registering words, black and white… I, at a different level was always trying to find out my practices and match them to what was being shared, documented, as evidence and was a Force that became “Culture”! The struggle continued and I was happy that I have some traits, some practices, some links, some procedures, some things from every nook and corner! What was the sum total of this learning practice? It certainly gave results, it made students successful, it made other stakeholders come and follow the similar practices, it made me happy, satisfied and content…. But all these put together could not convert the tasks and students to become a “culture”!
My mirror, my paradigm shift and my questions to self … were poking, bothering me to the extent of hurting me! There are more of probing and reflective questions about perceptions in my environment, in my schooling system, which revolves around Math, Science and English and GRADES!! After all in my systems grades matter!! This is very much similar to what is happening in my country and other schooling systems around! My answers, my responses and ability to find connection in my action seemed so dwarf! If reading is transformational!! This is it! I love this book for this very reason, without any claim, without any accusation, without any force, without letting you know, it becomes your second skin, and it converts! Transforms your process of learning and eventually turning classrooms and has potential of becoming a culture!
What an apt title for the book! An Ethic of Excellence!
My first understanding!!!
Greedily, I await next book! A culture of Quality :)
How do you share a culture? An Ethic?
(page 4)
Do you share a culture? How does one share so if it the same is shared? I was pondering over these questions! These questions were my inquiry, I was constantly comparing the same with my experiences from my work at mental health clinic – special needs years!! Every task when initiated, seemed an overwhelming task; task that had a beginning and no specific end.
While reading this book; I liked the way a task was broken into sub question, into example, into self explanatory situation, that constructed awareness and brought clarity. Clarity in instruction, in classroom, for accepted standards, behavior, and for creating and maintain the culture of excellence. I was transfixed by the “quick fix” metaphor.
“Starting small” stays with me now forever….
Am I part of this quick fix game? Have I knowingly or unknowingly started playing the same tunes? And have I started convincing self for the failures that are common under the pretext “I am doing my bit…. I may not be able change the whole world”?
Have I convinced self with this belief and started laying foundation of this myth to my work?! This question and my responses to self, helped me connect to the line; “Good schools have an Ethic, a culture, which supports and compels students to try and succeed.” I see more power in these lines now, “I don’t believe there’s a shortcut to building a new culture. It’s a long term commitment. It’s a way of life” ( page 4)
The schooling and society that we have today is result of years of work, focus of a different century, different kind. It is not about 21st century…. The same debate would have taken place in 15th or 18th! Excellence was need of the hour for each generation/ century. Time we took to adapt is the question and process that we follow is in question.
We are again at those defining moment wherein we feel that schooling must offer values- basic values of integrity, respect, responsibility, compassion and hard work. We need to build school cultures that model these attributes (page 7- last paragraph)
This thought is lingering in my mind like ‘ after eight – mint chocolate’… everyone talks about raising the bar- the numerical score- but how does one measure broad range attributes that schools wants to develop and is expected to develop- character, work ethic, attitudes, academic skills, understanding, thinking strategies, social skills, ethical skills…….
I am just curious about the drafts for this book! Not a word more or less, not a word that is inappropriate or out of place!!
I am recommending “shared reading” to all my colleagues and friends and for my Book Club!! Sharing culture of excellence begins… :)
“One of, my jobs as teacher I feel is to be an historian of excellence, and achiever of excellence.”
(Page 29)
I couldn't have agreed to any other statement about this relationship between school, students and teachers! This book is not only about getting students to do excellent school work, but through this channel ask other stakeholders to raise the bar! Expecting quality work, which has certain well defined standards and benchmark! For this the first step is to create a culture of excellence with in a school. Ron, rather Mr. B! describes the methods and approaches to create this ethic. Book takes each one of us through various experiences not to convince the power in Project or what is termed as “excellence” but in creating and culminating culture – of ethic / culture of excellence.
Ron Berger (Mr. B) gives us a definite vision for educational reforms and how to bring in those changes. He uses his skills from his, another profession and this diversity, defining, quality, excellence has helped him craft, demand quality from his children/ school! He sets his criteria for students’ work based on what is agreed upon standard and expectations! He connects this to his work as a carpenter where he strives to be a craftsman in his work as a carpenter. “I want a classroom full of craftsmen. I want students whose work is strong and accurate and beautiful. Students who are proud of what they do, proud of how they respect both themselves and others.”
This quote helped me restate, reconstruct my PLP from LSP this year. I hope this is the largest area of improvement in my teaching and learning practices resulting in more matured relationships with my students.
I have seen this happening in my school system too, though to a very small section! When students come and join IB diploma program. These students they learn to challenge themselves and in the same time duration (Roughly two years) complete and do much more than their peers in national curriculum. Both start at the same level but the journey takes them to a different destination. IB demands work, authentic work, insists on originality, demands regular work and students produce the same. The process is amazing!
“Students adjust their attitudes and efforts in order to fit into culture” (page 34)
“We can’t first build the students’ self esteem and then focus on their work. It is trough their own work that their self esteem will grow” (page 65)
Mr. B (Though I take this liberty, I am not sure if I can refer him, address him by this name! I would love to do so, like all other students of his school, refereed in book! I guess I am in his classroom and learning!)brings in another aspect of process of teaching and learning. Book, this quote reflects insight into student teacher relationship and how much Mr. B loves his students. Building self esteem for students to create excellent work and creating environment that will help produce the same. Appreciation, compliments alone can NOT build self esteem! This is process that needs fine balance. Most educators focus on only one, “complimenting”- which may lead to creating, accepting, and mediocre work! Why is this one close to my heart? I love the field of education, that brought me to this field from insurance industry and my work with underprivileged consolidated this belief; while reflecting on work presented by students for TOK. My context is philosophy. I attempt to articulate in my classroom Emotions, Ethics, Reason, Logic, Language, Sciences and their relationship that connects the world.
I can sometimes see the vision that they are developing though, I want my students to engage in a process of reviewing, refining, and pursuing excellence in their thinking and in their work. I, at times end up complimenting them for work that does not have standards, reflects thought process, thinking that this action of mine may boost their morale and bring skills for understanding and reading philosophy! Mr. B, is actually helping me to articulate the kind of questions I need to ask about my own classroom and my own teaching style through this book.
My connections and my PLP document- revisited: - I want to “learn” and not to “imitate”. Power of learning lies in creation!!
Page 85:- Reflections here have helped me understand the original creation and creation based on modeling, inspirational work from others and imbibing them into your work culture. The concept and understanding given for “tribute work” helps me now reduce my fears for PBL, my DP and my journey as LSP student. My constant struggle with self for plagiarism and originality is by and large now resolved. I see power in tribute work! Ethics involved in learning from such work. As I reflect I see that in my poetry (I write in Hindi- language that I did my schooling in! I am influenced by writing style of poet Girijakumar Mathur, and for some time I felt my writing resembles his style!) my work had impressions from poet, writers I read!
Understanding the power of tribute work, work built on ideas and extension of ideas is also beautiful work! Work of excellence! Ability to look for such models that will bring in ideas and brilliance is what I have understood.
My journey will not be for looking out for original, new ideas… but will be for searching the models that make every day very exciting. I summarize my understanding of the second toolbox as; there is a reason to do the work well and it’s not just because someone wants it that way! (Ref. page 99)
With my role in my school system, I see some pieces in place and some that need alignment, adjustment, discarding some pieces, however scared they may be! Connections on page 32 “starting small” and it’s link on page 152… helps me complete the cycle. There are many things we discuss, but it is better to improve one aspect of a culture and do it really better.
Like some of my books…. This will be a book which I will rely on when I am in conflict, when I look for mirror, when I need critiquing self practices, when I want to grow and challenge.