AHarrington

In the final portion of Fish Sticks, tragedy strikes Rhonda when she loses her daughter in a car accident. Her coworkers decide that they must be the ones to carry out the plans to make their floor a remarkable place to work. Ishy teaches the nurses, that in order to sustain the enthusiam of the vision, they must, "Find IT, Live IT, and Coach IT." The "Find IT" component is achieved when each person finds his/her role within the vision. The "Live IT" is achieved when we make the most of our vision moments. The "Coach IT" component occurs when everyone helps his/her fellow workers by giving  advice and encouragement regardless of the person's seniority or experience. Ishy refers to the philosopher Joseph Campbell who teaches that your path is determined by "the moment of action" (100). Each organization arrives at its own version of the vision by finding it on its own--not by following a formula or pattern set by someone else. The book ends with the staff at Good Samaritan experiencing great success at keeping their vision alive.

As teachers,  we can apply the basic ideas put forth in Fish Sticks to our own profession. We must first find the vision. Then, we must find vision moments each day in order to "Live IT." Finally, we must coach others and be coachable. As teachers, we have great opportunities to coach one another: from the veteran teacher with "tried and true" ideas to the beginning teacher who is fresh and innovative.