Learner Profile: Communicator
Feedback as an important aspect of Communication and of element of our work together. It's also, sometimes, the most uncomfortable. One tool that I've found very useful in working with colleagues and with students is the NSRF Feedback Principles and Feedback Protocols (the model of feedback that is used with the "Critical Friends" approach to collegial collaboration). The Principles outline basic elements in preparing to give and to receive feedback, but it's the categories of feedback identified in the Protocols ("warm," "cool," and "hard") that translate all the good intention of the Principles into tangible action. This approach is not esoteric or terribly innovative, but the approach keeps it detached, professional, and useful.
But what makes feedback so uncomfortable? In Thanks for the Feedback, Stone & Heen identify three triggers that get in the way.
Truth Triggers are set off by the substance of the feedback itself - it's somehow off, unhelpful, or simply untrue. In response we feel indignant, wronged, and exasperated...
Relationship Triggers are tripped by the particular person who is giving us this gift of feedback. All feedback is colored by the relationship between giver and receiver, and we can have reactions based on what we believe about the giver (they've got no credibility on this topic!) or how we feel treated by the fiver (after all I've done for you, I get this kind of petty criticism?). Our focus shifts from the feedback itself to the audacity of the person delivering it (are they malicious or just stupid?).
By contrast, Identity Triggers focus neither on the feedback nor on the person offering it. Identity triggers are all about us. Whether the feedback is right or wrong, wise or witless, something about it has caused our identity - our sense of who we are - to come undone. We feel overwhelmed. threatened, ashamed, or off balance. We're suddenly unsure what to think about ourselves, and question what we stand for. When we're in this state, the past can look damning and the future bleak. That's the identity trigger talking, and once it gets tripped, a nuanced discussion of our strengths and weaknesses is not in the cards. We're just trying to survive...
Our triggered reactions are not obstacles because they are unreasonable. Our triggers are obstacles because they keep us from engaging skillfully in the conversation." (Stone & Heen, 16-17)
The strategies of the NSRF approach sidestep these kinds of triggers, keeping the focus on what is observable and actionable and making the process of feedback more authentic.
But what makes feedback so uncomfortable? In Thanks for the Feedback, Stone & Heen identify three triggers that get in the way.
Truth Triggers are set off by the substance of the feedback itself - it's somehow off, unhelpful, or simply untrue. In response we feel indignant, wronged, and exasperated...
Relationship Triggers are tripped by the particular person who is giving us this gift of feedback. All feedback is colored by the relationship between giver and receiver, and we can have reactions based on what we believe about the giver (they've got no credibility on this topic!) or how we feel treated by the fiver (after all I've done for you, I get this kind of petty criticism?). Our focus shifts from the feedback itself to the audacity of the person delivering it (are they malicious or just stupid?).
By contrast, Identity Triggers focus neither on the feedback nor on the person offering it. Identity triggers are all about us. Whether the feedback is right or wrong, wise or witless, something about it has caused our identity - our sense of who we are - to come undone. We feel overwhelmed. threatened, ashamed, or off balance. We're suddenly unsure what to think about ourselves, and question what we stand for. When we're in this state, the past can look damning and the future bleak. That's the identity trigger talking, and once it gets tripped, a nuanced discussion of our strengths and weaknesses is not in the cards. We're just trying to survive...
Our triggered reactions are not obstacles because they are unreasonable. Our triggers are obstacles because they keep us from engaging skillfully in the conversation." (Stone & Heen, 16-17)
The strategies of the NSRF approach sidestep these kinds of triggers, keeping the focus on what is observable and actionable and making the process of feedback more authentic.
Items of note...
Advisory this week...
- Plans and slides for Advisory can be found in the Advisory Resources 2015-2016 folder.
Letter to Families on 10.9.2015 (This was linked in last week's Flash.)
Experience Days
After our Faculty Meeting, I think we weren't clear about next steps for Experience Days. We'd like to give students the chance to sign up next week, which means we'll need short descriptions of each of the proposed experiences. Over the weekend, please update this doc with a couple of sentences on the experience(s) you proposed (we're still missing Sewing & Fashion, Downtown Museums, Ballroom Dancing, GeoCaching, Random Acts of Kindness, and Service & Little Libraries). Once complete, I'll email the list to students.
All Things Google
You may have noticed that I tend to rely on Google Drive (and so Erik's message about a worldwide shutdown of Drive on Friday sent me into panic mode). It works well for my own organization style, but it's also an efficient tool for collaboration. As I include links to documents, most will require signing in through your AWS account - please remember to access these documents through the AWS account, not from your personal Google account.
If you are less familiar with Drive or just haven't had dedicated time to play with it, please don't hesitate to ask for some coaching from Angela. She has random times throughout the day, and she is always available on Wednesdays and Fridays from 2:00-3:00pm.
If you are less familiar with Drive or just haven't had dedicated time to play with it, please don't hesitate to ask for some coaching from Angela. She has random times throughout the day, and she is always available on Wednesdays and Fridays from 2:00-3:00pm.
How Girls Learn
The National Coalition of Girls' Schools has launched a trove of reports about the education of girls. Some focus exclusively on research about girls, but many of the reports already linked apply to all learners, like Carol Dweck's brief on mindset.Conferences
Advisors: Families are now able to register for Fall Conferences. FYI Long Advisory blocks on October 8, 15, and 22 will be designated for Conference Prep.Updates from the Annual Fund
As we heard from Tauna at our meeting this past week, the Development team is taking a new tack for the Annual Fund with the Donate in 8 strategy - basically consolidating a year's worth of fundraising into eight weeks. Thanks to the leadership of the team, the Annual Fund has reached $32,804 of its $515,000 goal, including 44% participation from Faculty and Staff. Thanks to each of you who has donated to the Annual Fund in the past, and thanks to each of you for considering a contribution this year. Tauna will keep us informed as the Donate in 8 campaign moves forward.Celebrations...
Thanks for a wonderfully productive in-service on Friday! Thanks especially to John for his leadership of the MYP process, to Shelli for serving as our Thomas Jefferson with the draft of the Academic Honesty Policy, and to each of our teachers for diligence in building units.
MYP...
Communications...
Flash
This week's Flash (10/16) will include:- MYP: Focus on the ATL skill category of Critical Thinking, Creative Thinking, Transfer
- Academic Highlights on Science and Music
Blogs
Don't miss the latest installment of The Dish from Mrs. Dicks!Religious & Cultural Observances coming up...
- Yep...it's still National Hispanic Heritage Month until 10/15, and Thursday, October 1 marked the beginning of Filipino American Heritage Month, Italian American Heritage Month, LGBT History Month, and Polish American History Month.
- Monday, October 12 is observed as Columbus Day in the United States. It is also observed as Indigenous Peoples Day and as Canadian Thanksgiving. For an op-ed printed after last year's controversial vote in Seattle to replace observance of Indigenous Peoples Day with Columbus Day, click here.
- Tuesday, October 13 marks the beginning of Navaratri.
- Wednesday, October 14 is al-Hijra, also known as Muharram.
Upcoming at AWS...
Monday, October 12
No School
Tuesday, October 13
10:00am 8th Grade Girls brief meeting with Mr. Guadnola in the Design Room
3:15pm 7th Grade Team Meeting
3:15pm MS Boys Soccer @ Lighthouse Christian
3:30pm MS Cross Country Meet @ Wright Park
3:30pm MS Girls V Volleyball vs. Rainier Christian Middle School
Wednesday, October 14
3:15pm 7th Grade Team Meeting
3:15pm MS Boys Soccer @ Lighthouse Christian
3:30pm MS Cross Country Meet @ Wright Park
3:30pm MS Girls V Volleyball vs. Rainier Christian Middle School
Wednesday, October 14
2:10pm MYP
3:30pm MS Girls JV2 Volleyball @ Lighthouse Christian
4:30pm MS Girls JV Volleyball @ Lighthouse Christian
Thursday, October 15
3:30pm MS Girls JV2 Volleyball @ Lighthouse Christian
4:30pm MS Girls JV Volleyball @ Lighthouse Christian
Thursday, October 15
9:30-11:30am LS Morning Preview
3:30pm MS Boys Soccer @ Muckleshoot Tribal
Friday, October 16
3:30pm MS Boys Soccer @ Muckleshoot Tribal
Friday, October 16
Friday, October 23
7:00pm 7th & 8th Grade Dance
Wednesday, October 28
MS Experience Days Begin
Other Team Meetings Agendas:
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