I have just been at the ADE Asia Insitute in HCMC and I feel that I have arrived back at home with the bends; I am giddy with exhaustion and need days in a decompression chamber to unravel and process the incredibly rich and intense experiences of the last seven days. I am going to take Pav’s advice and post this reflection because as the day goes on I see that I need some closure so that I can tackle the mountain of work that awaits me.
WAB’s Mission Statement is Connect, Inspire, Challenge and Make a Difference and for me, that really sums up the ADE Institute.
Western Academy of Beijing - mission statement
Connect – So many rich conversations with a diverse range of 68 awesome educators (60 new ADEs plus the other 8 Advisory Board members). The connections, in the words of Karen Carpenter have ‘only just begun….’
Inspire – Words cannot describe how many times I was inspired – from each and every double-click video to the amazing thought processes and actions. I think that the Saigon 360 nailed it for me.
Challenge – My personal challenge was to appear ‘worthy’ of my place on the advisory board in addition to the those 3 letters: ADE. It was a humbling experience. My game plan is, as ever, to mask inadequacies with humour – if you don’t have anything profound to share, at least make a stab at humour.
….and because of that…I hope I made a difference
Some initial take-aways
- Never turn away from criticism – look at it straight in the eye, learn and grow
- I’m not the only one that processes by talking it through – but I also need quiet time to reflect and a good 30 minutes in the pool each morning helped
- Listen, listen and listen
- Diversity is a wonderful thing
And on a more practical level:
- prepare cover lessons for the first 3 days back in school (so brain-drained that you can act like a cover teacher and read out the instructions)
- have a trusted advisor to prep you for any meetings 10 minutes before the meeting and also prompt you in meetings by ichatting you your notes, links and other resources
- remember that not everyone in the building wants to share your experiences – a quick ‘it was awesome’ is better than a blow-by-blow, minute-by-minute account.
chance favours the connected mind
best wishes
Sounds like an amazing experience. I am like you I need to talk out loud to process what I have seen and heard. The problem is to find someone of a like mind that wants hear what you have to say. I find I need someone who will listen and not necessarily through in their two cents worth or their opinion but will just listen. I have been known to be talking and to argue both sides of a situation seemingly changing my mind in midstream. Yet, that is not really what happened. By talking I hear it again and my mind can work back through it and pull things together. I also find that I must write quickly after an experience to maintain any real authenticity of how I felt. Good job to you for starting the process even though jetlagged and tired.
I really like the idea of three days of lesson plans prepared……will try to remember that one.
Madeleine,
Great meeting and connecting with you this past weekend. Thanks for being part of a great experience!
On, “My game plan is, as ever, to mask inadequacies with humour – if you don’t have anything profound to share, at least make a stab at humour.” … hmmm … do you think I was too obvious, because you certainly weren’t!
No – you had me at the ‘real Ted Talks….’ I was thinking more along the lines of Ken Robinson!
Madeleine,
Very well said. Thanks for everything during the institute! I feel very fortunate to have had you as my guide.
I too wish I would have planned for at least three days after I returned. My brain is jello. It won’t stop processing what I experienced. Can’t focus. My body needs sleep. My work is piled high.
Thanks again!
Saying that the five days were “awesome” just doesn’t seem to do it justice, but what else can you say?? Loved meeting you and getting to learn with you and learn from you. I did write a few things last night but I’m not ready for the big plunge of posting anything….yet!
[...] Madeleine Brookes [...]
[...] like Ted Cowan, Steve Katz, Madeleine Brookes, Jabiz Raisdana and Colin Gallagher I thought I would sum up my thoughts on the ADE [...]
Look at this water cooler I just stumbled on. This is what the ADE week was all about. Seeing now familiar faces all over the webs. Your enthusiasm is infectious. Thanks.
Nice one, Madeline. Thanks so much for being there- we had an awesome ‘homeroom’, with you at the helm- you’re the best!! And I love your ‘On a more practical level’ thoughts. Especially the last.