At the top of the learning cone is being able to teach a skill. At the bottom of the cone and what works the least is telling someone. Yet, isn’t that what is done in all to many classrooms. Now what does this have to do with our book? Chapter five is called “Leading from any Chair” and is all about empowerment. There are many students in our classrooms that would love to be engaged in helping others understand things. Some worry they’ll just tell the answers, and that is possible, if you as the teacher don’t train them and continue to remind them on how to help.
I loved the way he empowered his musicians to become a greater part of the orchestra and they loved it. The idea of placing a sheet on every stand so that the musicians could share is fantastic. He empowered everyone to become part of the greater good of the orchestra.
Another example of this empowerment and how effective it is was when he had the Cuban students help their American counterparts who were struggling with the music that the Cuban youth were used to. And then, when they did something the Cuban youth struggled with because of the style the American youth helped. Notice how eager the students were to be parts of the greater good, the success of the orchestra.
Certainly all of this pertains to our classrooms and the possibilities if we are willing to seize the concept and empower our students of any age to get involved.
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Mark, I was also struck on the way he empowered his musicians. Being a musician myself, I never put two and two together. Every memorable conductor I have ever worked for, has empowered the group. Those who have god-complexes may be great but are not pleasant to work for. There are so many great lessons to be learned for this. It draws many connects to great teaching. The best parts of teaching is when the students just go and push themselves to succeed.
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