Jane's Pocket Change: It Takes Two (or more), but One is Sometimes OK
I am reading Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain, thanks to Fran Keene, P’15.
I am reading Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain, thanks to Fran Keene, P’15.
I am only a third of the way through and it speaks to me, introvert that I am. I am particularly taken with the introductory section describing Rosa Parks and her ‘lonely act of courage’ when she refuses to move from the front of the bus to give up her seat to a White passenger. Her single word ‘No’ sparks a revolution, a city-wide bus boycott that lasts 381 days. Montgomery, Alabama, 1955. These actions change the course of American history. What I did not realize fully was how quiet and unassuming Rosa Parks was—and nor did Susan Cain, who characterizes Rosa Parks as an introvert who slowly but surely planned this brilliant act that changed the world. Cain describes that this was not any bus, or any bus driver. It was a driver that Parks knew to be particularly unpleasant and was guaranteed to make her move; they had encountered each other 12 years previously.
In addition, Cain describes the powerful partnership between Parks and Luther King, an extrovert. These two coming together created the perfect partnership to inspire passion and action among the civil right activists. Alone they might not have succeeded, together they did. I admit I have new found admiration for Parks realizing the time she took to plan and consider how to execute this momentous action, and a new understanding of myself and the planning and thought I often need before I act.
Of course the sections of Cain’s book that energize me also are the ones that relate to classroom experience. First I learn about the power of practice in solitude, especially as it relates to learning a musical instrument—Michael Weinstein and Gustavo Brasil will support that I am sure!
Whatever the depth of your talent or skill, quiet, focused practice alone will improve your performance more than any other single approach. The other stand out part is the section on brainstorming—how it is successful and how it is not, and the power of “groupthink” which sometimes means that you do not express your real opinion. Of course there are implications for our classrooms; again, the realization that no single approach to problem solving works, you need to employ them all.
I look forward to the rest of this book. Thanks, Fran. And to all you introverts out there in this noisy world, take a read. You will find reward.
__________________________________________________________
Pocket Change is a web diary written by Jane Moulding, head of school.
I am only a third of the way through and it speaks to me, introvert that I am. I am particularly taken with the introductory section describing Rosa Parks and her ‘lonely act of courage’ when she refuses to move from the front of the bus to give up her seat to a White passenger. Her single word ‘No’ sparks a revolution, a city-wide bus boycott that lasts 381 days. Montgomery, Alabama, 1955. These actions change the course of American history. What I did not realize fully was how quiet and unassuming Rosa Parks was—and nor did Susan Cain, who characterizes Rosa Parks as an introvert who slowly but surely planned this brilliant act that changed the world. Cain describes that this was not any bus, or any bus driver. It was a driver that Parks knew to be particularly unpleasant and was guaranteed to make her move; they had encountered each other 12 years previously.
In addition, Cain describes the powerful partnership between Parks and Luther King, an extrovert. These two coming together created the perfect partnership to inspire passion and action among the civil right activists. Alone they might not have succeeded, together they did. I admit I have new found admiration for Parks realizing the time she took to plan and consider how to execute this momentous action, and a new understanding of myself and the planning and thought I often need before I act.
Of course the sections of Cain’s book that energize me also are the ones that relate to classroom experience. First I learn about the power of practice in solitude, especially as it relates to learning a musical instrument—Michael Weinstein and Gustavo Brasil will support that I am sure!
Whatever the depth of your talent or skill, quiet, focused practice alone will improve your performance more than any other single approach. The other stand out part is the section on brainstorming—how it is successful and how it is not, and the power of “groupthink” which sometimes means that you do not express your real opinion. Of course there are implications for our classrooms; again, the realization that no single approach to problem solving works, you need to employ them all.
I look forward to the rest of this book. Thanks, Fran. And to all you introverts out there in this noisy world, take a read. You will find reward.
__________________________________________________________
Pocket Change is a web diary written by Jane Moulding, head of school.
The Cambridge School of Weston is a progressive high school for day and boarding students in grades 9–12 and PG. CSW's mission is to provide a progressive education that emphasizes deep learning, meaningful relationships, and a dynamic program that inspires students to discover who they are and what their contribution is to their school, their community and the world.