The 17 Essential Qualities of a Team Player by John C. Maxwell

One-Person Puppetry Streamlined and Simplified by Yvonne Amar Frey

Part I, Chapters 1 - 2

The author explains the almost universal appeal of puppets for many ages.  The first part offers tips and techniques for the lone puppeteer that differs from the tradition of several puppeteers working behind the stage.  It also provides patterns and models for both puppets and puppet stages.  Some of the tips are very practical, like how to have the script accessible to the performer on the back of the curtain.  Other advice makes the process easy on the budget, like making puppets from stuffed animals and toys and building a portable puppet stage from cardboard boxes. 

Chapter three gets down to the basics of living positively moment by moment.  Rath and Clifton helped me realize that I have a multitude of opportunities every day to make a positive impact on others' lives.  They count it as about 20,00 moments each day.  Yes, I am still struggling with this, because of past behavior.  .  It is overwhelming to think of making such huge changes, but breaking down into moments certainly helps.  But this week I have begun to check my words and thoughts.  For me another parallel goal has been to listen more; again I have to work at this now.  Hopefully it will become more natural.  I definitely do not want to become a ‘fake' me.  I am sure that the children will sense this.  It would be nice to know that a year from now my interactions with people would more thoughtful.  A little less spontaneity just might be a good thing.  I am counting on being "an older dog that can learn new tricks."

    The Introduction and first two chapters focus on the theme of positive psychology and its effect on human behavior.  The deceased joint author, Donald O. Clifton, was Rath's grandfather and mentor.  Rath summarizes Clifton's ground-breaking research on the immence differences in how people perform in negative and positive climates.  A key idea is an invisible bucket that corresponds to how we as humans behave.  If our buckets are 'full' or 'overflowing', we are psychologically (and sometimes physically) well.  We are not when our buckets are empty or being emptied.  Each person has the ability to fill their own or others' buckets with positive feedback, or conversely empty their own or others' buckets with negative interactions. Studies including a disturbing one on prisoner of war behavior show how powerful and distructive negativity influences lives.  Likewise, studies on positive reinforcement, recognition and praise favorably influence quality of life, productivity and health.

     It should be obvious and even smart for educators to always interact in a positive way with coworkers and students.  We do not, because we forget, we are frustrated and, we are human.  Of course the other reason is self-evident:  teachers' buckets are constantly being emptied in this post-modern, "No Child Left Behind", super accounabilty environment.  This should not stop us from striving to fill more buckets - especially our own.  I hope this book offers even more ideas about genuine and appropriate ways for teachers and administrators to do this.