listening is more than hearing

My base of fans are made up of many; with kids allergic
to belts lettin they mind melt from drinking the Henny
And them straight and narrow types who be waiting to hear
them drums say the revolution is near - are you listening?
Are your eardrums open for christening?
-De La Soul, "Much More"

I've always been a bit of a muse. More reserved than outgoing. More laidback than excitable. I've tried my best over time to become better at not only hearing what someone is saying to me, but also by being able to actively listen and process the conversation as it transpires. Mostly, it's a selfish trait to allow myself to better comprehend whatever the hell they're talking about. But at times, it has proven useful and productive to help inform my observations afterwards when they ask for feedback.

There was an article a few weeks back that essentially spoke to the concept of Tuning in to hear others. To be honestly, I have definitely tuned out many times when someone is speaking and I either have little interest in what they're saying or my mind was already preoccupied with other thoughts.

Listening demands critical thinking. Often, people don't speak clearly, so listeners must sift patterns of language and intention - on the fly. This is why experts often suggest that listeners practice "reflecting," or paraphrasing what a speaker says, so that both sides know they are understanding one another. During a conversation, good listeners also offer brief verbal and physical signals - such as nodding or saying "I see" or "tell me more" - to show that they are paying attention.

To hear that there are businesses that actually teach listening skills is profound indeed and also a testament to the power of creativity and entrepreneurship. I see listening, critical thinking, and problem solving almost essential to each other. Without all of them, the risk of failure and miscommunication is extremely high and almost frightening. Yet, for all the talking we do nowadays, texting and IMing has replaced much of the need to actually listen. I've often called folks back after getting a text message. At first, I was just being mad cheap. Now, I find I am increasingly annoyed at the thought of texting back and forth for 25 minutes for what could have been a 3-minute conversation. Go figure.

Over kids' heads like halos

"combating prose with passionate passages surpassing the realm of gun toting savages"
-Bahamadia, "Innovation"

You know those days when you wake up and it seems like you're at a track & field final at your alarm sounds more like a gun going off? And you have to Go Hard all the way? Yesterday was one of those days. Kinda.

In the late afternoon, I dropped by one of the the school district's budget hearings. Held at English High; this one is specifically for youth. And they turned out in droves. The energy was palpable. The frustration very real. The worry and concern evident in either the jitteriness or excitement in their voices.

I actually wear several hats. On one hand, I am an employee who is obviously concerned about losing a job as well as losing colleagues and teachers who I have developed relationships. Plus, I've got to pay the mortgage, student loans, and household bills just like everyone else.

Secondly, I am a parent. I have tried to become more and more active in his school's community and am learning new things everyday about what parent engagement entails. It is a daunting challenge that grows both easier and more difficult with each passing day.

Lastly, I am a connector. A lot of what I do revolves around students and whether working or not; I am always on the job. I worry about the students a lot. I worry about the many who I have connected with an hope that they still consider STEM careers as viable as I've been leading them to believe. I hope they buy-in to my suggestions that the college route is the best way to go. Admittedly, not all of them in the past have one straight to college; which in fact probably was the best choice for their situations.

There were some very pointed and angst-riddled questions posed to the School Committee members from the many students who attended. Coincidentally, I then walked a block up the street to Doyle's for another education-related forum. Boston Leaders for the Future of Education, a new quasi-think tank held a panel about innovation. It was a common theme throughout all of the questions and the place was packed to the brim and some folks even left because they didn't want to squeeze in. I saw many familiar faces from as well as made a few new connections. But the true meat of the event was the quality of the panel. This was truly one of the better panel discussions I have seen. I won't go into too much detail right now, but there were some great ideas tossed around by both the panelists and audience members. Issues about equity, approaches to problem solving, innovative concepts in other cities, and segregation by choice we the topics that stood out to me.

Superintendent Johnson gave a profound analogy about how education is a race and even though some sprinters have trained for months and are well-prepared, the ill-prepared (conditioned) sprinters still need the support of all the spectators to help them reach the finish line with roller blades if necessary. And even though not everyone thinks they deserve those skates, it is imperative that they do because it isn't actually a competition. Like that 90's throwback, we're all in the same gang. Plus, Mayor Menino gave a pretty good introductory speech. Essentially, he noted how we are at our most creative when we have the least resources. Straightforward, succinct, and sound words. Now, let's hope all this innovative thinking will translate into some innovative doing. Personally, I think bringing up taboo topics have to be mentioned. For instance, why is there no school in the summer when the winter poses higher costs and higher risks for missed (snow) days? Food for thought? Something to chew on, I suppose.

creativity olympics

about three years ago, i participated in a great online exercise. myself and a few fellow bloggers wrote haikus and then voted for our favorite.

Here are the ones I did way back when.

butterfly kisses
long weekend approaches
an empty pillow
-8:08 AM, 5/26/2006

can you stand the rain
quarter waters only quench
sun-dripped tears
-7:07 AM, 5/27/2006

It was actually pretty simple and mighty damn fun. Yall know the rules..5-7-5. Go! I'll start.

carpal tunnel nights
snapshots of passion on pause
ill finger flick skills

Soliloquy of Chaos

Describe Yourself with Music

Using only song titles from one artist, cleverly answer these questions

Pick a band/artist: Gangstarr

1. Are you a male or female: You Know My Steez, I'm The Man

2. Describe yourself: No Shame In My Game, Werdz From the Ghetto Child

3. How do you feel about yourself: The Illest Brother, Peace of Mine

4. Describe your ex boyfriend/girlfriend: Ex Girl to the Next Girl, Nice Girl Wrong Place

5. Describe your current boy/girl situation: Royalty, Now You're Mine

6. Describe your current location: The Place Where We Dwell, Rite Where U Stand

7. Describe where you want to be: Above The Clouds, The Planet

8. Your best friend is: B.I. vs Friendship, The Militia

9. Your favorite color is: 1/2 & 1/2

10. You know that: The Rep Grows Bigga, She Knowz What She Wantz

11. What’s the weather like: Beyond Comprehension

12. If your life was a television show what would it be called?: Check The Technique, Just to Get a Rep

13. What is life to you: 2 Steps Ahead, Here Today Gone Tomorrow

14. What is the best advice you have to give: Say Your Prayers, Take A Rest, Who's Gonna Take The Weight, My Advice To You

15. If you could change your name what would you change it to: Brainstorm, DWYCK