Observation and Reflection

1/2. “And yet, our community was certain that we couldn’t get done what we needed to get done in less time.  Because what we needed to ‘get done’ was to weave the fabric of our friendship deeper and tighter so that learning could flow more easily through our network.  We knew we have enough common interests…to trust that we each would initiate the conversations and experiments we most needed to have.” – page 162 of WOWO. The quote here reminds me of Bahia Vista, and the theme of diligence comes to mind.  These kids always put their minds together when they want to get something done, a common trait seen in the Greece narrative. 

Observation: The kids came rushing into the school kitchen, excited about what delicious meal they were making with Karen that day.  They quickly sat down in their seats awaiting instructions.  Karen informed the class that they would be making pizza that day.  She passed out the recipes, and together, the kids were determined to make the pizzas as fast as possible.  They banded together, agreeing to what they were each assigned to do, whether it was to cut up the tomatoes or roll at the dough – each student did so without question.  They had one common goal, and it was to bake and eat that delicious home made pizza. 

3. “Leaders have critical work to do to engage people and redistribute power.  The leaders we’ll meet in Columbus didn’t get out of the way; instead, they’ve used their power to create the means to engage people and communities in solving their own problems.” – page 190 of WOWO.  Leadership, clearly, is a theme from this narrative, and it applies to the interview I had with the Mr. Rodriguez, the principal of Bahia Vista. 

Reflection:

A Champion for the Kids

Mr. Rodriguez goal as principal is to bridge the gap between the students of his school and their families and the rest of Marin County.  He is a strong advocate for the Canal Community, and he seeks to provide them opportunities to grow.  Under his leadership, the school has gotten in touch with many programs, such as the SF Food Bank and Playworks, to provide these said opportunities.  The WOWO narrative about Columbus, OH in the U.S. shares a similar trait.  On page 191, it is exclaimed, “In October 2009, the Mid-Ohio Foodbank relocated to its new head quarters: a gigantic former mattress outlet that moves 33 million pounds of food per year onto the tables of Central Ohio’s hungry citizens.  The Food Bank’s President and CEO, Matt Habash, greets in the lobby to walk you through the building.”  In this instance and the work of Mr. Rodriguez, both situations show how leaders strive to better their community.  Mr. Rodriguez strives to providing the necessary resources, and Matt Habash utilized resources to better his company in order to benefit Central Ohio.