FISH!+Small+Group+Reflections

Thanks for posting your group's ideas and reflections on FISH! below.




 * PLAY**
 * MAKE THEIR DAY**
 * BE THERE**
 * CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE**

In the spirit of playfulness, Group #1 has renamed itself The A-Team. Here are some of our reflections on the video, I Fish:
 * 1) 1 -- Dane Perry, Kathy Culp, Phyllis Walker, Courtney Kluttz, Beth Bostian, Laura DeBravo

All jobs contain an element of stress, but these managers and employees dealt with stress in a playful way whether it was by creating fun job titles, tossing around their product (Is theHealth Department blind in Seattle?), and laughing and engaging the public in their own “all us boys” way. It was noted that the business owners were obviously supportive of this business style.

The A-Team (nee Group #1) felt that we, as teachers, could be more successful in our role as instructors if we continued to work on engaging the child and choosing a positive attitude. One member of the group told of seeing a bumper sticker that said “Misery is optional.” Planting the seeds of learning can be a joyful experience.


 * 1) 2 -- Janice Blake, Roanne Ornelles, Janice Lovett, Bebe Krewson, Tom Shaver, Karen Sohmer

What struck us most about the workers at Pike Place was
 * their energy and positive attitude
 * their committment to having fun
 * that they were always cheering each other on and being supportive of each other
 * that customer service truly made a difference, not only for their customers but for the "return feeling" it gave themselves
 * that they had developed and fine tuned the ability to "feel" other people

We, ourselves, would like to model their ability to
 * live in the moment
 * cheer on one another
 * find the humor in situations and TRULY laugh (not just chuckle)
 * embrace the attitude that time passes quicker when you're having fun!


 * 1) 3 -- Nancy Bramlett, Charlie Lovett, Cathy Morgan, David Stoeri, Teresa Tsipis, Jason McEnaney

#4 -- Carter Sturkie, Marty Spry, Wendy Hinman, Joy Kontos, Gene Capps, Ashley Stabolitis, Brad Calhoun  What a great reminder for us all to make the effort to be playful throughout our day! These men have made a commitment to having a good time doing what they do, and to encourage everyone in their litttle world join in their fun. We wondered when, and how, this "philosophy" evolved. One of us had been to the fish market over twenty years ago and did not remember seeing or hearing about these fishmongers. Another had visited about 10 years ago and said she saw exactly what we saw on the video. We all agreed that their antics helped people get into a good mood and more than likely helped their sales. We felt that having a positive attitude and "being there" in the moment are such important skills to hone.


 * 1) 5 -- Sarah Dalrymple, Michelle Robins, Jenn Folsom, Lynne Roosa, Millicent Foreman, Meredith Welch


 * 1) 6 -- Donza Friende, Susan Hedgpeth, Mary Johnson, Martha Albertson, Tim Perry, Greg Pfaff, Mary Brown

 What struck us most about the workers at Pike Place: -Their positive attitude -Their ability to stay energized through out the day -They find pleasure in spreading joy to other people, regardless of whether they bought something. -They make positivity a major part of their job, fish is only part of it.
 * 1) 7 -- Christine Gagnon, Deanna Moss, Jan Standerfer, Emelda Lawing, Terri Skinner, Julie Giljames, Josh Perry

We would like to model their ability to : -Keep a positive attitude, despite the amount of sleep they've had. We would like to keep in mind to make an effort to stay positive. -The idea of play at work. Not only to play at work, but to also give yourself a break to play in general. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Be There: Try to be patient with people despite having an incredible amount of work on your plate. Pay attention to coworkers' needs and treat them with respect.


 * 1) 8 -- Barbara Kapp, Cara Byrum, Janice Weiss, Heather Moir, Pat Capps, Colleen Bryant-Sills, Karen Rudolph

We had a great discussion based on the video. It was wonderful having representation not just from the classroom, but from the business office. We agreed that any job can be made fun. We talked about ways that different kinds of jobs can be made fun. As the video pointed out, "fun" doesn't always mean //throwing fish!// There are many ways to bring fun, and a sense of joy to work. When working with children, the sense of fun can be found by engaging the children in their learning. It also helps when it shows that you love what you do. We also discussed the fine line that exists between having fun and still getting the job done.


 * 1) 9 -- Barbara Kirby, Carolyn Simmons, Susan Maier, Luanne Rejeski, Nancy Chapman, Peter Terry

We had a wonderful discussion about the film which everyone thoroughly enjoyed. Certain themes came up frequently and hit home with many of us, namely the following: - choose your attitude every day - look people in the face and continue to work on face-to-face communication skills (it was mentioned that in the second grade classrooms, students are practicing looking one another directly in the face and greeting each other with a resounding "Good Morning!" - recharge every day - make a conscientious decision every day to "be there" and really strive to be present and be in the current moment - it was mentioned that there is lots of JOY here at Summit, and people must be a part of it - SERVING makes one (US, YOU, PEOPLE) HAPPY - involve the "customers" - get the kids, staff, EVERYBODY - INVOLVED - a kind word goes a long way - a smile goes a long way, so...smile even when you don't feel like it - it can make you feel better too, and it will certainly help make others' day - one (each person) has infinite potential - if you love your job (whatever it is you are doing), it shows - it's a simple choice - finally - enjoy and appreciate and savor every bite of fish the next time you sit down to the catch of the day Thanks for showing us the film. It was a great way to start the day!

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We noticed the team had total buy in. We pondered what happens when there is not total buy in: Does someone who doesn't get it leave? When someone doesn't buy in does it cause the team to malfunction? <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We discussed how, in the customer service industry, the server's attitude can have a huge impact on the customer's experience. We, as teachers, have the same relationship with our students; however, we have the added benefit that the students will, often times, also impact our attitude.
 * 1) 10 -- Kate Helm, Mary Brown, Debbie Grigg, Melissa Cleland, Andrew Hano, Mary Horan, Rachael Dale
 * 1) 11 -- Katherine Memory, Judy Breakstone, Cathy Denning, Glenda Shelton, Becky Marion, Julie Heidtmann, duWayne Amen - Choosing your attitude is most important; many people don't choose their attitude, they simply go with whatever they are feeling. - If these men can make fish mongering fun, we should be able to make working at Summit fun!

- We noticed that when they were catching fish, there was always someone standing behind them to back them up in case they needed it. - Authenticity is important. - When we get the same questions over and over, we must be patient and remember that for that particular student or parent it may be the first time they have heard the answer. - The Pike Place Market is an all-male work environment. Boys especially need the physical aspects of this work environment. - We should remember that in customer service, "they may not buy something today, but in the future..."

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We found it significant that employees choose to have a good attitude instead of allowing external factors to inform their approach to work. We also addressed the importance of living in the moment with our students by obviating the issues that could lessen that opportunity, such as being unprepared, and by leaning on strong students to "buy in" to a lesson so that they can support our lead and have other students follow. The Fish Market also invests in the "persuasive power of play"(Annie's nice wording), which we can use to catch our learners off guard as we sneak in fun and get students engaged in lessons. Remembering to "regenerate fun daily" was another take-away lesson for us to apply in our classrooms because play takes work to happen. Our stakes are higher than the Fish Market's, however: we cannot let our customers go if they aren't buying; instead, we need to employ different strategies to keep them. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Group 13 noticed that. . .** <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 1. Celebrate team member's birthdays 2. Make plans to eat lunch with someone who's NOT on your team. 3. Plan 'retreats' (music, dancing, having fun together) 4. Make people feel new again. Andrea pointed out the fact that new people are treated so well (mentor/mentee dinners). Everyone appreciates being treated as a guest or valued member. 5. Feed off each other. Cross pollinate.
 * 1) 12 -- Janet Shepherd, Jeff Turner, Kelly Darmofal, Susan Pfaff, Annie Galvin, Betsy McNeer
 * 1) 13 -- Martha Thompson, Andrea Clauset, Capers Carlton, Martin Tucker, Stephane Rogers, Trish McRae
 * the employees **enjoyed** what they did
 * the employees **liked** each other
 * "Catch the energy . . . release the potential" was a powerful quote
 * Pike Place **appreciated** each person's contribution
 * Group 13's Take-aways for daily living:**
 * "If you love your (fill in the blank) it's going to show."
 * Having fun makes the work go faster.
 * BE THERE
 * CHOOSE FUN!
 * Essential question: What cne we DO to make 'being there' more pleasurable?**

Choosing your attitude each day struck a cord with everyone. Attitude is a choice that only you have control of. A parallel thought was to seek a way to be kind each day. Staff development days are wonderful. Several "met" teachers this morning they did not know. It would be great to find things to do as colleagues outside the orchestrated 2-3 times a year to learn more about the individuals with whom we work. (Meet at the Old Staley's after work, for example.) Be more intentional to be light hearted and playful. Try to avoid the "Hear we go again" syndrome and take another look at things and adjust your attitude. Be patient with repetitive questions, remembering we are in service of others.
 * 1) 14 -- Camille Townsend, Jennifer Sparnicht, Carol Leinbach, Henry Heidtmann, Dolores Flores de Valgaz, Lisa Wright

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">#15 -- Rebekah Sidden, Jodi Turner, Christy Haulsee, Doug Johnson, Danette Morton, Jane Jester We noticed the energy and passion among the workers and the energy we bring to work is a choice that must be regenerated. Everybody deserves the best we can give and "being there" is especially important because there is always going to be a distraction or something else to do. Our attitude can and does influence other people. It is important that we appreciate and support our co-workers, make an effort (choice) to be positive ourselves, and to positively impact others (make their day)!


 * 1) 16 -- Devon Davis, Heather Scantland, Cindy Hamilton, Barbara Eure, Loma Hopkins, Chris Culp


 * 1) 17 -- Maggie Lin, Kristen Keene, Shannon Meinberg, Kathy Pounds, Barbara Scantland, Lisa Tudor

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our group noted that the employees have so much fun in unexpected ways that customers are drawn to see what will happen next. The staff's interactive approach encourages observers to become participants. The element of surprise serves the employees well, as in never a dull day. While not everyone can replicate the Fish Market, having a sense of humor is invaluable in the workplace, and offering the unexpected adds energy to the ordinary. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We liked the emphasis that the Fish Market staff places on "being there". Focusing on individuals and giving one-on-one attention to the customers is a priority. This is a strength of Summit teachers, but being reminded of the kind of magic that type of engagement generates was beneficial. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Choosing one's attitude does make all the difference. Not only does it feel empowering, but a positive attitude opens up endless possibilities. Just one positive encounter can make someone else's day and often has the famous ripple effect. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A good summary quote is from Ron Perkins, a former science professor and founder of Educational Innovations, a supply house for wacky and wonderful science equipment. He observed, "Education is serious business, but it doesn't have to be somber." <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> We diverged from the questions on the sheet and discussed the four main points of the film as they apply to our experiences at Summit. As an aside, it was interesting to note how many people had to ask where the meeting rooms were located. The Upper School’s upstairs appears to be the place at Summit where – on a map – you’d see nothing but pictures of dragons… And I thought that was because of my breath! The gist of the comments made: FUN: BE THERE CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE MAKE THEIR DAY
 * 1) 18 -- Gayle MacKenzie, Ryan Mihalko, Libba Reynolds, Elizabeth Rief, Jolene Simmons, Betty Sutton
 * 1) 19 -- Cheryl Dickson, Karen House, Dack Stackhouse, Ginger Wiggins, Billy Stoltz, Amy da Luz, Cecelia Cauble
 * Fun came from working together – actually in each other’s physical presence – not in separate places achieving a goal with minimal face-to-face time
 * Tangible sense of accomplishment
 * Education seems to have an inherently higher stress-level; comparing education and fish is like comparing apples and oranges, so to speak
 * When you have fun, the kids know it and pick up on it
 * Teachers try to include lots of play in class – especially with the younger students
 * Teachers have to be there – kids want and need attention
 * It’s hard to be there all the time – can be very tiring
 * Sometimes problem students/parents/staff make it difficult to stay true to your choice of attitude – it can be a challenge
 * Hard to make every minute fun, but teachers have to do their best to do that.
 * Many people only have one chance to “make their day” due to infrequently scheduled classes or greatly reduced interactions with students

The comment that came up the most often was: THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR KIDS IS TO PLAY!