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https://youtu.be/heJ8DTIBQqQ I am having trouble with the embed feature on my page!!! Thank you
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First I must say that I enjoyed the quote from former president Abraham Lincoln.
As a fireman I have spent plenty of time with chainsaws, performing vertical ventilation on roof tops and cutting down trees on the wildland fire line. However, what has me most excited, is the use of the AXE. It is a Fire Fighters best friend!!! Sharpening the saw to me refers to sharpening and honing one's skills. At this point, honing one’s skills means successfully implementing all seven habits and ensuring that I am working on developing and implementing my sphere of influence. I love the quote from Lincoln pertaining to the axe because in my eyes, it refers two to ideas. First, practice makes perfect and second, in order to be successful I must make sure that I am prepared. If I am on duty at the fire station, it is essential for me to make sure my axe is sharpened. An axe is versatile tool, considered in my eyes to be a striking tool, a cutting tool and a pushing and pulling tool. Relating this concept to being an Instructor at HSHMC, I must make sure that I am prepared to lead. Whether it be collaborating with a teacher or helping a student through a difficult time, it is essential to be prepared.All seven habits are essential!!! I also think that while sharpening an axe is amazing, I need to be current and stay on the edge, continuing to move forward and better prepare my students and help the staff. While the axe is an amazing tool, it is old and what are the new and exciting things I need to learn? What new technologies or concepts can I sharpen to help everyone at HSHMC? To help foster a stronger community? As Dr. Pumpian said in his lecture, “reinvest in myself, relationships and other to expand my sphere of influence.” By practicing all seven habits and successfully implementing them into my daily life, I know that I can and will commit to a 1 + 1 = 3. By staying on top and being proactive, it will truly create a positive school culture. A culture in which both staff and students can depend on me. I will be proactive and listen and let them know I understand. Ultimately, I want everyone to know that I am there to help and together we can discover better solutions to problems, creating a safer and more loving school culture. In my opinion, Synergy is the act of using all five previously discussed habits effectively. In doing so, one will be more creative and achieve more. This is the ultimate way to improve one's sphere of influence and leadership, not just in school, but in life.
In his lecture, Dr Pumpain further discussed effective democratic leadership and the keys to effective leadership with an Action Plan!
I am going to hang this on my wall, so students have an idea as to how to solve any problem that may occur in class. For example, I am currently teaching my sophomores the basics to Search and Rescue. I am trying to make them aware of the concept of tunnel vision. At first I have the students crawling around the room. Next, I start to add objects in their path, for example, a chair. At first, I teach the skills for going under the chair, roughly crawling and contorting their bodies through a 12 inch gap. They love it!!! However, the students eventually develop tunnel vision and this is my goal. Every time the student encounters a chair in their path, they assume they must go under the chairs. As the lesson progresses, when they encounter a chair and they are about to go under it, I say you can't crawl under it, what else can you do? What other options do they have? I use this moment to teach them about being creative. Just because I taught you one way doesn't mean that this is the only way. Eventually students realize that they can go over the chair, around the chair or move the chair. This is an incredible teaching moment in which students collaborate and listen to one another and solve the problem. It brings to light new ideas and I think that the Action Plan listed above helps foster collaboration and promote creativity. When the students get stuck or are having difficulty, they need to not just communicate with one another, but listen and I think that the Action Plan is a great template to help. Furthermore, this can only be achieved by creating a culture in which all opinions are valued. A culture which promotes listening will eventually lead to the development of better ideas: Students listening to students, students listening to staff, staff listening to staff and staff listening to students. 1+1=3… If this positive culture is in place at school everyone is winning. Seek first to understand, then to be understood to me focuses on listening. How can I make sure that I can listen better? As a Captain for the fire department, I was in charge of the duty crew, ranging from 3 to 8 people. When we train or run emergency calls, I am the one making the decisions. These decisions could result in some serious consequences. I have always been open to ideas to improve our training and tactics for calls and have learned that even under great pressure, although I am in charge, someone might have a better solution. The ability to listen and comprehend what someone else is thinking is very important.
At HSHMC, I have been able to build close relationships with the students. I am a person who students seek out when they have a bad day or in some cases if they make a mistake, I am often one who can help understand why the students made the poor decision. I am able to sit their and listen to the student and reflect upon their “feelings” and the “meanings”. It was interesting to me that Dr. P mentioned that you must be aware that you are not just waiting to speak your turn or voice your opinion. This is a ‘lose, lose situation.” I know I have been in conversations where all I want is to have my opinion heard and in doing so, I am not focused on what others are saying. I think that I have become and I commit to becoming a better listener. I think that by summarizing and repeating someone else’s thoughts or ideas, it makes the other person know they have been heard and are understood. In doing so, they are more apt to listen to you speak. Attending the Restorative Practices Leadership conference last year helped me understand this concept. Listening is a skill. It takes collaboration between everyone. At school, my ability to listen to staff and students will promote a better and more successful school culture. Just like in habit #4 1+1=3. I think that the fable regarding the two Donkeys was a perfect way to close this weeks Habit number four, “Think, Win Win.”
I think that the focus on successful, not selfish collaboration is the key to this habit. I thought that the 1 + 1 = 3 is a great concept. At the end of the video, Dr. Pumpian best summarizes habit number four, as a solution with a mutual benefit. I believe that I approach every situation with an open mind and that at the end of the day, I want to help resolve any circumstance or aid those who need help. As a fireman, I have spent years training to help others in their time of need. I am called when someone is having a bad day. I am there to help and be an advocate for that person. I know that this idea translates to my teaching style and the way I interact with others at HSHMC. I am always there to help others at school, whether it be a student or staff. I take great pride in being known publicly for someone who can be relied upon. At the end of the day, I will always complete the task at hand to the best of my ability. Now, this is a double edge sword for me! While I always invite others to ask me for help and I am very accomodating, I think that my fireman mindset needs to change. To me the 1 + 1 =3 means a teacher needs help, they call and together we solve their problem. My success has always revolved around solving others problems, but I have never asked for it to be mutual. I have lacked collaboration. To be a more successful leader, I could ask for help if and when needed. I have always considered asking for help a sign of weakness, as I want to be able to accomplish everything and be relied upon. However, I am now starting to see that if I ask for help, I can start to collaborate with others and it will help my students, my program and the school in the long run. I value this concept and know that it may be a good thing to ask for help or assistance every now and again. At the end of the day, we all want to be Charlie Sheen # Winning. Probably a different insight as to what others got from this lecture! Nick I attended a business seminar about 8 years back, to which the speaker addressed the concept of leadership and vision. The key note speaker roughly said, “when you are a race car driver and you are driving 200 mph around a track, you are not focused on the wall, rather the finish line. If you focus on the wall, that is where you will drive.”
After watching Dr. Pumpian’s presentation for this week, the previous quote popped into my head. In short, it made more sense. I have always understood the idea of take your eye of the prize and you won’t get it, meaning you may fail. But, in light of Dr. Pumpains presentation, it added further depth to what I never truly thought. Being a leader is always about looking ahead and help guide those around you, whether it be staff or students. While I know I do lead, I believe that I can do better. Leaders never settle and say that they are good or are happy with where they desire to be, they are always looking to improve. However this is where I hit a wall! Dr. P said leaders should always be looking ahead with the “End” in mind, but what determines the “end.” What ensures that the “End” is good enough! Other than death, nothing is final. Great leaders should always be striving to be the best and to lead by example. I believe this is an ongoing commitment and choice a leader actively makes. While I know and am confident that my Fire Science program continues to improve and grow, I have not been the best leader. I tell my students to obtain perfection, as that is what I expect. I hold myself and them to a higher standard, but of late, I am struggling to meet the scholastic standard for this program. I know this is probably a lot more than needed to be said, but if my program has standards for students, then I as an instructor must excel. As I am currently behind, I feel guilt and this is not a good representation of who I am. In Dr. Pumpains presentation, he spoke about the difference between beliefs and actions and how this shows the reliability of a persons character. That being said, I need to step my game up. But being a leader means understanding and my current predicament has made me stronger. The experience of juggling my wife's pregnancy and working more to ensure my families financial requirements are met can be considered admiral. But how does this affect my leadership. All I can say is that I have a few things in mind. First, my students are in high school and are focused on graduating. I am working on my masters degree and experiencing the same. If anything this experience has made me closer to my students. This is the first time in my life, I have been stuck. I now realize some of the troubles or obstacles that get in the way. I have a pregnant wife and I am working more. Some of my students are the caretakers to younger siblings or grandparents and while different, I am can relate to what they are experiencing. Isn’t that what leadership is about? To have learned by experience and to support those who you help and support along the way. Regarding the growth of Fire Technology at Health Sciences High, I am pleased to report that my vision and goals are aligning. While I don't have an “END” in sight, as I want to continue to expand and build upon this program, I am so happy to partnered with Poway Fire. My students now have the opportunity to train at one of California’s premier fire training facilities. Poway Fire spent over three million dollars developing this facility and because of the hard work and dedication of the students, we are now able to train at this facility once a month. Moreover, I am actively working on bridging my program with Miramar College. Not only do I want students to earn college credit, but I want the HSHMC Fire Program to be recognized around the nation. The program and the opportunities the Fire Technology Internship creates are life changing. I wish all students had the ability to experience something so beneficial. I have a lot of work to get done and sometimes I struggle, but I am “reliable” a strong “character” and my word to commit and complete the work is “Authentic.” I thank you for allowing me to reflect! Nick I feel that this weeks lecture was geared for me specifically and honestly couldn't have come at a better time. I have always been able to manage my time well, up until the last few months. It is Monday night, 11:40pm and instead of sleeping, I am catching up on school. I don’t know if it is sad and a poor reflection of my character that I have fallen behind, or is it more admiral that I am able to make the sacrifice and get the work done? I want to be thought of as someone that can be depended on and I should be. As I told Dr. Butters, while I can be successful at everything else, I don't want to be identified as the student who struggles. The one that is behind.
In September, I found out that my beautiful wife is pregnant with our first son and I could not be more happy. Up until that point, I have been able to successfully manage my time and all that I need to do. Whether it be working 96 hours straight at the fire station, teaching during the day and working a second job at night. I have always been able to be the best ME! The best husband, the best father, the best son, the best instructor and fireman! However, of late, I feel like things slip away. Jenelle being pregnant is wonderful, but has made life complicated, as her pregnancy has had its ups and downs. Reflecting upon the quadrants, I look at my life and its current crazy haze as a combination of all four quadrants. At the moment, I do procrastinate getting work done and always have as I work best under pressure. Although someone might insinuate that procrastination is a character flaw, the ability to work well under immense pressure has in fact made me a successful fireman. I perform best in the first quadrant. In addition, I live my everyday life in the second quadrant, always planning and making lists of things to accomplish. I still think that my day to day tasks revolve around planning and creating new opportunities, if not for me, at least for my students. Third, just like my father, I am a “Yes Sir!” Without a second thought, I always take on extra tasks that may not be urgent or important. I do this as I like to be known as someone that gets things done and can be relied upon. Finally, I analyze the slacker category and while I don’t watch much TV or spend too much time on social media, I call this the “ME” category, as I tend to take the time to myself. It varies from an hour at the gym or cooking in the kitchen, this is my time to zone out and I think that it is essential and much needed. A quick and quiet release. While I am looking at the end in mind, regarding my masters degree, I am being reactive to being behind in school and not proactive. This week has made me internalize a lot and I need to figure out a better way to time manage. Why should I fail because one more thing has been added to my life? At the end of the day, I need to prioritize and understand that First things First. This is something I need to work on!!! Cheers, Nick I am excited to start a new semester in the Leadership Program. Reflecting, I know I have already learned some many new and exciting things, but I am excited for this particular class, as I feel it truly focuses one leadership.
IN EDL 610, each student will be learning and discovering the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. By analyzing and understanding the Seven Habits, it is essential for all students to ensure that they have completed the process by learning and teaching the concepts to others. Whether it be fellow students or fellow staff members. This can best be broken down into three categories: 1) What I Think 2) What I Say 3) What I do Dr. Pumpian described and explained the first habit as "BE PROACTIVE!" When I was listening to the lecture by Dr. P, it made me think of my days working as a bartender. A bartender has a enourmaous amount of work and I use to say to others that it is better to anticipate what the guest needs. vs react. If all the steps of service are covered, the guest will be happy, which also realist in a better tip! To me this is reaffirmed via the example Dr. Pumpian gave of the "Car Salesman." If the car carsalesman sells his idea with the supports the car salesman is likely to earn more sales. For example, Poway Honda has a salesman named Tim. I helped my mom buy her Accord a few years ago and after working with Tim, the salesman, I went back a week later and purchased a car for myself. I teach a Fire Academy to high school students and I am in control of everything. From what I think, to what I say and what I do. All three combined impacts the students. Meaning, what I think is what they learn, what I say is how they learn and what I do is a result of getting the work done. I model the appropriate behavior and expectations for the students, which allows them to see what should be done. I have a broad understanding of sphere of influence in regard to para military academies, as not only have I been in several, I have taught them for years. Lead by example! I want to be proactive in increasing the students voice in the grade level fire science academies. I want to focus on the stronger students aiding the students who may not be doing as well. If the academically stronger students help teach, just like me, it builds a better foundation and understanding for the subject or content which is being taught. Students helping students, which also creates a better culture. Not only will I increase my sphere of influence, students will aid the school and the community by expanding theirs. Nick |
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