Week 2: Art of Possibility Response 2

Brett Wilson writes:

Wk 2 Reading: The Art of Possibility

Zander’s book was quite enlightening and motivating about the possibilities that lie ahead. He began by challenging the reader to break out of the confinement that our mind has put us in—the position of “it’s not possible.” Rather, once we enlarge the box from which we think, the possibilities become much greater, as well.

Zander provided two great concepts that I will walk away from with great hopes of application. The first is giving an A. He is quite right when he states that grades are really the comparing of one student to another and often show little of the transformation that has taken place within the student. Instead, he gives every student an A if they simply write a letter of the person they wish to be a year from now. He states his hope is that each student would fall in love with that person of which they write so that transformation becomes a passion of their own. One of the most amazing quotes from the book is this, “This A is not an expectation to live up to, but a possibility to live into.” Expectations are normally piled high with thoughts of failure and unbelievable amounts of stress. Possibilities, however, provide positive, “take-charge” success.

The second is the thought of being a contribution. Life is simply about contribution. And it’s not about how much or if it’s enough, it’s simply, “Will you contribute today?” For students to believe that they are a gift to others would be more than life changing for most. I work in a school district where students’ spirits seem beaten and opportunity and possibility insurmountable. How much would this change if they believed this simple sentence, “You are a gift to others.” Zander challenges the students at the Conservatory to write about this specifically. I too plan to challenge my students to write in hopes that they believe it and that possibilities appear reachable.

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Posted by Brett Wilson at 5:46 AM

1 comments:
David Hotler said...
Brett,
Great deduction of the reading. I am encouraged by your insight on how you plan to use your favorite parts of the book in your own classroom. I too was moved by the Giving of an A section and really see a new path of encouragement for students in his approach to passion creation. I challenge you to have your students do the same and hold them to it. I also challenge you to show each student that they are a contribution of the world around them and have amazing potential in this world. Even achievement on a small scale is a contribution that can have a profound impact on the world. Great work!
-David