Padlet will enable us to share in various ways. For example, we can type responses or post videos, we can post gif as reactions to what is posted and what we explore in the text, and more!

Because we are working together for this, I am open to ways to make this more enjoyable for you! Please feel free to provide feedback along the way!

Post a reflection related to one or more of the following:

- Your favorite line/passage and why

- What stood out to you and why

- A connection you made

- Something from the chapters you'd like to explore more

Please include Reflection #1 and your name in the subject line when you add your response.

To make it fun, include an image or gif related to your thoughts. To keep the engagement up, respond to one or two others!

On page 40, Joy told George, "Every crisis offers an opportunity to grow stronger and wiser; to reach deep within and discover a better you that will create a better outcome."

Let me know your thoughts about what I've posted!

https://fortune.com/well/2023/06/05/deadly-heart-attack-on-monday/

-shows the level of negativity or the place George was at before his journey.

pg. 22

“Yes,” George answered, not believing he was actually agreeing to this. And all at once the entire bus cheered, “Yes! Yes! Yes!”

- Everyone on the bus has used the 10 rules and were excited to share with

others.

pg 26

“Always remember that you are the driver of your bus. It’s the most important of the rules because if you don’t take responsibility for your life and control of your bus then you can’t take it where you want to go. If you’re not the driver, then you’ll always be at the whim of everyone else’s travel plans.”

-So true, accept responsibility, I use this with my students all the time.

pg 29

"A smile changes the way you feel, the way you think, and how you interact with others."

Another fact that I have discovered to be true!

https://online.uwa.edu/news/benefits-of-smiling-and-laughter/#:~:text=Your%20body%20releases%20three%20hormones,in%20turn%2C%20you%20feel%20happier.

• Shows the level of disconnection George has with his wife, and he doesn't even realize how his negativity is affecting her.

Page #5-6 -" He couldn't remember the last time he was happy. I bet she has no worries, he thought. All she has to do is drive a bus each day and smile and be nice to strangers."

• Shows how he is judging Joy without even knowing anything about her, and doesn't recognize that she's acting the way she is to help people like him.

Page #40 - "Every crisis offers an opportunity to grow stronger and wiser; to reach deeper within and discover a better you that will create a better outcome."

I feel like this is a great perspective to think about when we are faced with difficult situations. Instead of dwelling on the negative, we can shift our perspective to change how we proceed and what we can get out of the situation.

Chapters 1-9

Favorite Line & Why:

"Please help me!" he shouted as he looked up to the moonlit sky. The air was silent and George heard nothing except the sound of his own breath. He was waiting.." This is the typical attitude of humans- waiting for the next hero or something outside of themselves to save them. Taking self responsibility, stock of the issue, and action- becoming their own hero is critical for positive change.

What stood out and why: That finally people are willing to accept and understand the energetic nature of reality. It needs to be understood if you want to stand fully in your power as a creator being. The physical is the last to catch up to what's playing out in the etheric. Once you understand that everything external is a mirror of your internal, you begin the real work. A below, so above.

Think about the ideas expressed in chapters 10 - 21. Think about how the ideas relate to aspects of Domain 2: Component 2A of the Educator Effectiveness document. Choose one (or more) of the following prompts for reflection #2.

• "Your positive energy and vision must be greater than everyone's doubt" is The Ultimate Rule of Positive Energy. What could/does this look like in your class?

• What connections can be made between the book's ideas and your classroom environment?

• What ideas from the chapters can support your journey through the Distinguished category?

• Using ideas from the text, answer the following Discussion Prompt: Describe how you model care for others, self-care, and active reinforcement of courage, compassion, and humility through crisis and conflict resolution.

  
  

Your response can be recorded if that is more convenient for you. Please include Reflection #2 and your name in the subject line when posting your response.

To make it fun, include an image or gif! To keep the engagement up, respond to one or two others!

Rule #3 Fuel Your Ride with Positive Energy.

"Positive energy is necessary to take you where you want to go. Every day when we look at the gas pump of life we have a choice between positive energy and negative energy". I think this rule and quote reflect the classroom setting and most professional settings in general. It is a choice we need to make every day. I believe teachers will have a good chance of more educational success when they choose positive energy for the classroom. I think that students are more likely able to connect with teachers who choose positivity.

Edutopia has the above blog devoted to the effects of positivity in the school setting.

I feel as though Rule #4 (Invite People on Your Bus and Share Your Vision for the Road Ahead) is a rule that all teachers should live by. We all know that our ultimate goal is to help our students learn; whether that means learning content or learning life skills. In order to do that, though, you have to "open your bus doors" to let your students on board. This can be accomplished in a number of ways: demonstrating the positive mentality you want them to uphold, leading with a focused work ethic, etc. Our students are typically going to follow whatever energy journey we take them on. If I can "share my vision" and be transparent about my expectations behaviorally and academically, there is a better chance that my students will embody that positive energy and join me on my energy bus. This is also where we run into the problem of the "Energy Vampire" from Chapter 18. If there is a student that is bringing negativity into the classroom, there will be students that follow their lead. Whenever possible, those Energy Vampires need to be handled so that the negative energy does not spread. We are truly the only ones that can decide what road we drive our energy bus down.

While reading chapters 11-13, Rule #3 - "Fuel Your Ride with Positive Energy" really struck me. Often times, as a teacher I find myself getting stuck in the negatives aspects of my job. I will focus on negative behaviors, poor test score, failed lessons, or anything in my day that might not have gone well. Admittedly, I can get hung up on the negativity. I think part of it is because I'm naturally a problem solver and I'm trying to apply that to my classroom. I really liked the idea of "feeding your positive dog" and focusing on the positive aspects each day. Sometimes I have to stop and force myself to think about those students who are succeeding and enjoying my class. Teaching is challenging right now. I need consistently remind myself to focus on the positive aspects, regardless of how small, so that I can be the best teacher I can be.

Rule #3 Fuel Your Ride with Positive Energy.

"Positive energy is necessary to take you where you want to go. Every day when we look at the gas pump of life we have a choice between positive energy and negative energy".

I think this rule and quote reflects the classroom setting in ELA with McHugh. It is a choice we make every day, to get the most out of our students.. I believe teachers will have a better chance of success when they display and promote positive energy for the classroom. I believe students are more likely to connect with teachers who choose positivity rather than negativity.

Pick one of the following prompts to reflect on:

Prompt 1:

"Every struggle, every challenge, every adversity brings you closer to your heart, to your true self, to who you really are. Sometimes you got to be broken down to the point where you feel powerless to discover your ultimate and true power." p.99

• When reflecting on your personal and/or professional experiences, in what ways does this quote resonate with you? What do you reject?

  
  

• How could we use this idea to encourage our students? Our loved ones? Ourselves?

Prompt 2:

When speaking about leadership and being a Chief Energy Officer, Jack said, "A life touches a life that touches a life. It spreads, one person at a time." p.106

• Identify two ways you can be the CEO of your home.

• Identify two ways you can be the CEO of in our learning community.

• In what ways could these actions touch a life that will touch another life and spread?

Prompt 3:

Five Ways to Love Your Passengers (fully explained on pgs. 122-124):

1. Make Time for Them

2. Listen to Them

3. Recognize Them

4. Serve Them

5. Bring Out The Best in Them

Identify at least one action item, in the context of the learning community, for each of the five ways. Your ideas might inspire someone else!

Incorporating the "5 Ways to Love Your Passengers" from The Energy Bus has changed my perspective in the classroom and with my students

• Perspective talking is an important way to make connections with all students with many different diverse backgrounds.

• This embraces the concept of making time for them and listening to them as well as recognizing them.

I found this article interesting. I think perspective helps foster meaningful connections.

https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edLabs/regions/northwest/blog/building-connections.asp

Each day I try to make a conscious effort to be engaged and present with students, co-workers, staff.

I do my best to offer them my full attention and stay engaged in listening.

It is important to remember that everyone comes from different backgrounds and situations- we should remember to choose empathy, understanding and embrace the diverse population here at Armstrong.

It is also important that we as educators promote a positive attitude and express appreciation frequently.

We should also engage in meaningful acts of support to help those that are struggling emotionally.

By consistently using these principals I can develop connections with my students and spread positivity on a daily basis.

In my classroom, I have a poster with the following quote from Henry Ford: "If you think you can do a thing or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right." When we say that we can't do something or accept that something is too difficult, we are setting ourselves up for future failure. I try to tell myself, my family, and my students that success usually does not come without prior failure. The greatest inventions of mankind were not created on the first design. Even with my basketball and track teams, I want them to focus on the feeling of defeat when it occurs and use it to drive them towards their next success. Every failure is something we can learn from and use to discover our true power. It is up to us, however, to decide what our next step will be in the wake of that adversity.

Negativity in the workplace not only drains morale but also incurs financial costs. Individuals with a negative outlook can diminish the energy and productivity of those around them. On his sixth day, George came to understand the importance of removing individuals who sabotage team success. Additionally, he recognized the significance of appreciating and valuing those who actively contribute to the team's objectives. Some individuals may hesitate to fully engage due to past experiences or feeling unrecognized. Therefore, it's crucial to establish transparent communication channels where everyone feels empowered to voice their concerns and share their perspectives. This fosters a culture of inclusivity and enables the team to address any issues effectively.