Almost over

It tis hard to believe we have less than a month left before the first semester is complete.  We all have been working hard on our final papers for classes.  The journey has just begun. 

Disciplined Mind

In preparing for my presentation for the 5 minds reading a disturbing reality came into focus.  Many of my colleagues in the music world have a discipline mind when it comes to music but lack the understanding of other subjects.  This led me to believe my idea of my dissertation idea holds more weight than I originally though.  Many of my colleagues live in their own world of ratings and music.  Do not miss understand me, I am all for music advocacy.  However, when do we begin to overlook the other subjects.  Is the advocacy we practice interfering with building relationships with our colleagues in the other part of our campus.  This idea of hyper-disciplined mind interferes with creating the disciplined mind for our area we chose to become disciplined in.  My dissertation topic of developing standardized music test would force an expanded knowledge of history, ELA, and mathematics in music.  This would help new teachers that do not understand the most non musical ideas can create the most music. 

Being more right brain

Well as part of my new course for the program this week I gave ownership to the kids.  The students selected the music for the week.  Many even taught the music because it was taught by ear to the band.  I was inspired to do this by the right brain presentation from a few weeks ago.  Much of my methodology I practice is left brain.  I went for a change.  A positive change...yes.  Easy for the leader...no. 

Changing the approach has helped to create laughter, fun and the kids want it right because they did it not me.  Don't get me wrong...I still have my left brain exercises.  I love my left brain however just like with our hands we need both to work effectively. 

Changing Course

Reflection was the theme of 2 weeks ago and now I have been in reflection since my UIL rating on Wednesday.  The band got a 123.  2 Overall which is excellent.   Over 40% of the band failed 2 weeks before contest. 5 students walked out stating that "it was not fun anymore and I was being too hard on them".  Although we did okay considering all the distractions.  The remaining 20 kids I had relearned the entire show and performed well.

I now am taking a step back and reflecting.  It is getting to the point I can't use the excuse card of "the kids wont pass their classes".   So at what point have we done all we can do as leaders before it is time to make the hard decisions?  I believe my reflection has been now is the time not later.  In the business world or even education for that matter if we have sub par performance changes are made.  The sub par faculty are put on growth plans.  The mistake I do not want to make is...these are kids I am dealing with not adults.  So I have to look in the mirror and find what I can change first.  I am selecting an easier show for next year.  I am writing the drill not a 3rd party as I have used in the past.  However, what can I do about the lazy attitude towards classes?  What can I do about kids just not caring?  Answer, I can only change what I can change.  Make the program fit the ones who want to succeed and count on my reliable students.  Do not worry about the things we cannot change.  We have enough to worry about with classes. 

Technology + ???? = Why change is not always good

The confusion with the blogs is justification on the argument posed a few post ago.  This is why sometimes moving forward is actually moving backwards.  Personal face to face is in some ways better than over a skype or blog. 

I wondered after the Leading With Soul yesterday would the presentation had as much impact if we blogged the idea or did this online.  Maybe for some but, overall I think not.  The human connection.  People knowing Amber and understanding her story.  People knowing Chris and seeing his passion. 
Kesha sharing her spirit.  Keith allow us to share our feelings of the soul. 

Technology can be wonderful but...is it taking some of our soul as well.

Its Just...

It is always nice to see that all we do is seen by parents.  Altough the program is successful many see that  we focus on more than just grades or trophies but the development of the student.  This gives me hope that standards are still high for families and we are doing good regardless of what someone in Austin may say we are not doing. 

When those in charge realize the responsibility begins at home our job will be easier.

Am I out of touch here...

In all the globalization thought of this course from the first week it came to my attention, I am not global at all.  Is this a weakness.  No I do not believe so.  I view this as a person that believes the best way to learn to trust a person is to build a relationship with them not over a computer or a skype chat but to truly meet and understand the person.

We often look to technology as a saving grace.  We all love technology especially when we are looking for 10 articles for an annotated bibliography.  However, I find the whole human absence very distrubing.  I compare this to church on television.  You can get the message but if God is in all of us what are we missing if we do not attend service.  We are missing the people that can ask how we are or how our family is doing.   Not to say some of the technology can give us the human contact. 

Maybe I am off base here but as we lose contact with people could we be losing contact with our fellow man?