Week 2 Blog post 3: Response to Joanna Puello

Joanna,

Your comment, “but both Rose & Ben have an amazing perspective on life in general and the influence we can have as teachers.” I think is right on.  You have perfectly summed up Benjamin Zander in your post.  You usually don’t consider conductors of Symphony Orchestras to be personable and out going but rather stuffy, reclusive and that mystic figure in the front.  Yet Benjamin Zander seems to break the mold quite easily and I would revel to be a student of his.  I find it quite interesting as well how a performing group, whether it be from a lowly elementary group all the way to a Symphony Orchestra takes on the personality and spirit of it’s leader.  This truly IS leadership.  What impressed me the most however, despite knowing a bit about Benjamin Zander, is how insightful and deeply thoughtful Benjamin’s wife is.  I actually found many of her passages in the book to be personally inspiring and at times more profound then his!

Joanna said:

MAC, Week 2, BP1: Reading

13 05 2011 The Art of Possibility (2000) by Zander & Zander is the most inspirational book I have read in a long time. Hats off to the Zanders! Of course, I’m especially thrilled with Ben Zander just because I’ve enjoyed his videos so much, but both Rose & Ben have an amazing perspective on life in general and the influence we can have as teachers.
These are some of the highlights that I enjoyed the most…

On “Stepping Into a Universe of Possibility”…

“What assumption am I making, That I’m not aware I’m making, That gives me what I see?” (p. 15)

On “Giving an A”…

“A’s are not an expectation to live up to but a possibility to live into.” (p. 26)
I was really blown away by the letters his students wrote, the ones they wrote about the grade A they had accomplished before they had even started. What an amazing way to influence students and people to have the highest goals motivated by the most inspiring reasons! This sample was my favorite, written by an Asian student.
“I was Number 68 out of 70 student. I come to Boston and Mr. Zander syas I am an A. Very confusing. I walk about, three weeks, very confused. I am Number 68, but Mr. Zander says I am an A student…I am Number 68, but Mr. Zander says I am an A. One day I discover much happier A than Number 68. So I decide I am an A.” (p. 31-32)
“The practice of giving the A allows the teacher to line up with her students in their efforts to produce the outcome, rather than lining up with the standards against these students. “ (p. 33)

 On “Being a Contribution”…

It’s amazing how things change when we get our focus off ourselves and onto someone else in need even when we may not know how we can help them or if we’re even capable.
I’m looking forward to continued reading throughout the rest of this month!