ePortfolio Grouping - My reflection

Margaret Heffernan: Why it's time to forget the pecking order at work (15:47) Published by: TED Talks Added: June 16, 2015

Organizations are often run according to “the superchicken model,” where the value is placed on star employees who outperform others. And yet, this isn’t what drives the most high-achieving teams. Margaret Heffernan observes that it is social cohesion - built during every coffee break, every time one team member asks another for help - that leads over time to great results. It's a radical rethink of what drives us to do our best work, and what it means to be a leader. Because as Heffernan points out: “Companies don’t have ideas. Only people do.” - YouTube

Watching this video I could not help but recall all of the times I thought I was a 'super chicken' yet in actuality I was like this picture. Barely in the fight,holding on as best as I could. Broken, battered, and beaten but not defeated. The strength to keep going came from my kids. My students would look to me to guide them in instruction and in life. In reflection I was appalled at the amount of administrators and coaches who pushed the super chicken mentality. Excel in data collection, excel in numbers, excel in this, excel in that - but where was the concern for the teacher. I have had several conversation on this matter with people in position to make change and all of them seem to feel that excellence is measured by who makes it to the top versus who doesn't.

I think there are phenomenal students who have so much to contribute yet do not meet the "mark". We do not get to celebrate those students though because it is against the score marks. Student who have a C average do not get recognized like the A average student. We could close the gap there by imploring the 'yet' message and helping push students to their fullest and most creative release.

In my room I am somewhat of a rebel because I enjoy these kids and I tell them so. I like their effort and how they keep coming back. They are just as important as the kids who score high. In my room - everyone has value. Each person is needed and has a voice to share their thoughts.

I think having bonding time is essential to growth and building lasting relationships. It is not possible to learn each others weaknesses without doing so.

I have learned to trust myself more because of this curse and trust the process of helping others shine. I know that if I take two steps I can pull someone else two steps. I gave each of the teachers on my team a bracelets that represents us being better together. We can do more by pulling forth the greatness in each other than we can stepping on each others necks.

Who created the super chick after all?