Leader in Me- Chapter One Question by Kelly https://padlet.com/khellams/ay72uoton6m8 What are the “people skills” that were highlighted? Do you agree that these skills are moreimportant than ever? Why? en-us 2016-11-04 12:48:22 UTC 2016-11-22 03:39:59 UTC hello@padlet.com Above-average creativity, strong problem solving skills, ability to analyze, optimize, and synthesize. Students need to be able to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, and work with those from diverse backgrounds. I thought it was interesting the amount of students not finishing their first year of college because they are lacking these skills.  These people skills are essential to being successful. In a recent A-Team meeting, a parent was discussing that accommodations are great now but one day their boss will not give them they need extended time on an assignment. Students can have a wealth of knowledge but need to be able to share this knowledge with others, apply the knowledge to real life issues.  Students need to be creative problem solvers. Our thinking needs to switch to finding the "greatness in each child", and helping them find the right path to use that greatness. https://padlet.com/khellams/ay72uoton6m8/wish/135569676 Emily]]> 2016-11-05 21:25:27 UTC https://padlet.com/khellams/ay72uoton6m8/wish/135569676 I don' feel like people skills are any more or less important than ever. However, I do feel like a push-down curriculum has created a situation in which young students don't "have time" to learn about people skills like communicating effectively and working with others from diverse backgrounds. In kindergarten, these types of skills used to be explicitly taught through play. Now play (center time) is looked at as a waste of time, so we don't have as many opportunities to practice these people skills. As a result, I believe that these students will grow up without the social skills they need unless something changes.  https://padlet.com/khellams/ay72uoton6m8/wish/135870755 -Rebecca]]> 2016-11-07 17:50:43 UTC https://padlet.com/khellams/ay72uoton6m8/wish/135870755 I really like that it states that it's not just for a certain group of students, it is for all students! So many of our children with special needs have lots of strengths and could contribute to being excellent leaders even though they struggle academically. It would give them such a great boost in their self-confidence and self-worth to be able to contribute as leaders. I love that the Leader In Me develops the whole person. I feel that we don't have the time to teach life skills that are so critical for all students to develop and need these skills to be successful after school with their careers. I have one student in my classroom who I kept thinking about as I read this chapter. He would be such an EXCELLENT leader within the school. He struggles academically and I can tell that he doesn't see much value in himself. However, I truly believe if we started the Leader In Me it would give him tons of confidence and show him that academics alone don't define him. I also really like that it's not just for students. It's for the teachers too! I truly believe setting these principles up in my life would make me a more successful, happier, less stressed teacher.  https://padlet.com/khellams/ay72uoton6m8/wish/136063697 Katie]]> 2016-11-08 12:42:35 UTC https://padlet.com/khellams/ay72uoton6m8/wish/136063697 While I don't believe that people skills are any more or less important today than they have been, I agree with others that the shift in focus to be competitive in academics worldwide has resulted in children not being able to communicate as effectively as in past generations.  I do feel, however, that we need to provide children with the vocabulary and confidence to speak up when they see something that requires change. I like the example of Dr. Seligman's daughter, Nikki, talking with her father in a very mature way in order to bring about change. These are lessons not to be taught in isolation, but rather with ongoing modeling and a permeating feeling that all voices are valuable.   krabe1 https://padlet.com/khellams/ay72uoton6m8/wish/136700994 2016-11-10 13:05:49 UTC https://padlet.com/khellams/ay72uoton6m8/wish/136700994 People skills have never been unimportant. As a society we have put more energy into developing technology that has created a new set of social skills- e-mail, texting, Facebook, etc. The emphasis on person to person skills are not nurtured by parents. Children lack the tools and skill needed to solve real-life problems because parents have begun to believe that their child shouldn't have to face any struggles. But these struggles, along with support in overcoming them, is what helps to build character, empathy, and the ability to see yourself as a capable person. https://padlet.com/khellams/ay72uoton6m8/wish/138929385 Linda

]]> 2016-11-20 13:31:59 UTC https://padlet.com/khellams/ay72uoton6m8/wish/138929385 achildes https://padlet.com/khellams/ay72uoton6m8/wish/138968938 Having strong social-emotional skills to enter into the workforce is a must. They've always been important, but there's been a recent lack in our culture's appreciation and cultivation of these skills. Because of this, there is a call for these personal and interpersonal skills to be explicitly taught in a classroom environment. Teaching students these things will undoubtedly prepare them for the workforce and make them capable and career-minded as they enter into college. It's our job not just to teach to standards but also create the time in our classroom's to create children, not just into learners but also into leaders.

Angelica C.]]> 2016-11-20 22:23:46 UTC https://padlet.com/khellams/ay72uoton6m8/wish/138968938 The people skills are being a good listener, team builders, sharing joy with others, empathy, and the ability to leverage people's talents and opinions. I believe they are very important because it's the glue that can help keep a group working together to meet a shared goal. Infighting, not listening, not caring about other's feelings, wanting to work by yourself, and spreading negativity diminishes progress which intern harms the chances of the goal being obtained. https://padlet.com/khellams/ay72uoton6m8/wish/139130255 Shea]]> 2016-11-21 15:47:39 UTC https://padlet.com/khellams/ay72uoton6m8/wish/139130255 I like the section about "Matching Today's Realities". People skills have ALWAYS been important, but schools have gotten away from teaching some of these important skills due to the demands of teaching the standards and making sure these kids have high test scores. Teachers absolutely realize the importance of teaching people skills, but I don't think they can find the time!!! According to this book, it's these "people skills" that are helping students in the real world (problem solving, team building, etc). With 2 preteens in the house I am realizing more than ever how important it is to have these skills. Kids spend more time communicating through social media, texts, etc. than they do face to face. (Their parents do, too!!!) akhawkins https://padlet.com/khellams/ay72uoton6m8/wish/139137098 -Amy Hawkins]]> 2016-11-21 16:07:56 UTC https://padlet.com/khellams/ay72uoton6m8/wish/139137098 I do not think that people skills are any more or less important than they have ever been. Although I think that because of things like ipads, phones, etc. and the time young children spend on them vs interacting with other peers or adults maybe children are lacking in this area. Teaching children these people skills is incredibly important, but I find we are given less and less time to teach these important skills. Children will need these skills to succeed in the real world and their work places. kylemariecarroll https://padlet.com/khellams/ay72uoton6m8/wish/139186310 Kyle ]]> 2016-11-21 18:44:27 UTC https://padlet.com/khellams/ay72uoton6m8/wish/139186310 https://padlet.com/khellams/ay72uoton6m8/wish/139251711 Knowledge is not enough anymore. People skills should be emphasized more in education.  More and more children are spending large amounts of time one on one with electronic devices after completing homework assignments and studying.  Not enough personal interaction and problem solving going on with their peers.  Without these skills, our students will find themselves struggling to succeed in the real world work force.  
If knowledge is not the focus of what the work force is looking for, why are we focusing just on knowledge today?  Why haven't we as educators added the "people skills" piece to our daily curriculum to help prepare these students for the real world?
Mo]]> 2016-11-22 03:17:03 UTC https://padlet.com/khellams/ay72uoton6m8/wish/139251711