Dumb People Don’t Know They Are Dumb Doug Routledge

Doing the Same Thing... There is a mathematical equation that no one feels comfortable with. Half of the people in the room are the dumber half. The problem is that none of us think that we are in that group! We can laugh about this, and we will. In this session Doug will talk about the other half and how we can avoid making it to the Darwin awards. Get ready to laugh and interact.

When You Assume… Begin in groups… Begin by coming up with what your group has determined to be the #1 assumption about each of the following people groups. It matters not if the assumption is false or true. Students Parents Administrators Legislators Co-teachers

A. Assumptions about others Sometimes my bias’s lead me to believe the worst about people around me. Sometimes my assumptions are to believe the best about people. What if I have those things backwards?

Assumptions are the termites of relationships. Henry Winkler

Begin challenging your own assumptions. Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in awhile, or the light won't come in. Alan Alda

Assumption #1: Everybody Knows where I am Going!

Solution#1: You cannot over- communicate. "The basic building block of good communications is the feeling that every human being is unique and of value." -Unknown

Practical exercise: 1. Group up and discuss what pieces of information you feel should be communicated to you often and early. Discuss what pieces of information you feel should be communicated to students often and early. Discuss what pieces of information you feel should be communicated to parents often and early. Discuss what pieces of information you feel should be communicated to your administration, principal and support people often and early. 2. Discuss creative ways to communicate to all involved parties without costing every possible moment of your time.

B. Assumptions about me You might be better than you think. You might have more freedom, impact or opportunity. You may be operating using your wrong attributes. You might be happier and more fulfilled in your role if you get to know which you turns your audience up!

Assumption #2: My motivation does not mean theirs. “I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself.” Mikhail Baryshnikov

“No, try not! Do or not do, there is no try” Yoda

“Your failure as a son is my failure as a father” Marcus Aurelius

Solution #2: It doesn’t matter. Intrinsic motivation is best in that it does not place me in the victim’s seat.

I am either motivated to be great… which is rare, or I am satisfied with my own efforts. Here is the phrase that could change the way you work… “Good enough, never is”

Group discussion Two questions for you. What are the things that motivate you? How do you keep yourself filled up by these motivators?

C. Assumptions about progress There are no constraints on the human mind, no walls around the human spirit, no barriers to our progress except those we ourselves erect. Ronald Reagan

Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals. Martin Luther King, Jr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

II. Seeing your way through the fog A. Clearing up the vision

Nothing contributes so much to tranquilizing the mind as a steady purpose — a point on which the soul may fix its intellectual eye. — Mary W. Shelley, English Novelist ( )

*Things you can control *Changes you can make

B. Sharing the vision When you stared in education, your vision was so simple: To make a difference in young people. Now you are fairly certain it’ll take more definition than that. What if your students had a say in their own objectives? How does that look in your school or classroom? *Repetition *Refining *Evaluating

III. Oiling the wrong wheels A. Knowing the wheels you respond to Don’t miss the show for the distractions.

*Applying oil What helps you deal with the demands of unreal expectations? Clarity of purpose Communication Contentment that you are doing your best

*Changing tires

*Parking the car