Discover how to take your idea to takeoff with Jennifer Gonzalez's Aerodynamics of Exceptional Schools.

In this video, Jennifer Gonzalez shares her insights on the Aerodynamics of Exceptional Schools. She explains how the reaction of her colleagues to her enthusiasm for new ideas and initiatives dampened her enthusiasm. She explains the four forces that affect the success of implementing new ideas in a school: lift, weight, drag, and thrust. She explains that lift is the stuff we can control like our methodology, design, materials and technology. Weight is the stuff we can't control like poverty, budget constraints and student readiness. Drag is the negativity, mistakes, and fatigue that can slow down progress, while thrust is generated by the engine, which is the enthusiasm of the teachers.

Learning Outline

1. Factors that influence positive change in schools:
- Lift (methodology, classroom design, materials, tech, systems, procedures)
- Weight (poverty, budget constraints, student readiness)
- Drag (negativity, flaws and missteps, fatigue)
- Thrust (generated by teachers)

2. Effects of "Groupers" on teachers:
- Discouraging enthusiasm
- Ignoring new ideas
- Doubting validity of ideas
- Holding back ideas

3. Strategies for overcoming Groupers:
- Connect with other teachers who are enthusiastic and encouraging
- Try new ideas and learn from mistakes
- Generate positive change with thrust from teachers

Instructional Content

Jennifer Gonzalez has presented a thoughtful and insightful overview of the "Aerodynamics of Exceptional Schools" in her SXSW EDU talk. In her address, she shares her story of being an experienced teacher who moved to a new school and encountered the “grouper” phenomenon. This phenomenon is when people react to enthusiasm and new ideas with skepticism and negativity. Jennifer reflects on this as one of her biggest regrets from her time in the classroom, and has since been dedicated to understanding what could have been done differently.

Jennifer uses the analogy of an airplane to represent a school, and explains the four forces that work on it: lift, weight, drag, and thrust. She explains that lift is what we have control over, such as the classroom methodology and materials. Weight is the stuff we can’t control, such as poverty and budget constraints. Drag is the negativity and friction that can slow down progress, and thrust is generated entirely by us to move the plane forward.

Through her talk, Jennifer encourages us to maximize the forces that will work to make progress in our schools and minimize the ones that work against it. She encourages us to look for ways to combat the grouper phenomenon, and to make sure our enthusiasm for new ideas is not dampened. Her words are a powerful reminder that we all have the power to make a difference in our schools.

Leadership

Elevating School Performance: Aerodynamics

Gonzalez’s story of teaching in a new school with a myriad of problems serves as an example of how groupers, those who are resistant to new ideas and initiatives, can hold back the progress of a school. It is essential that leaders are able to recognize these groupers and work to counter their negativity. One way to do this is to set goals and use them to motivate and inspire yourself and others. Goals should be specific and measurable, and they should be achievable within a certain timeframe. Setting goals will help to focus on what needs to be done and will help to guide both yourself and others towards success.

In addition to setting goals, creativity and innovation are essential skills for any leader to develop. To be creative and innovative, leaders should be open to new ideas and not be afraid to take risks. Leaders should also encourage others to think outside the box, and should be willing to challenge traditional ways of thinking in order to come up with new solutions.

Leadership is a skill that can be developed, and the video and transcript of Jennifer Gonzalez provide an excellent example of how to improve leadership skills. By setting goals and encouraging creativity and innovation, leaders can help to create an environment where progress can be made and success can be achieved.

Leadership

Can Schools Lead Change?

Upskilling yourself to be more successful in personal growth and professional development can be a daunting task. Jennifer Gonzalez's video on the Aerodynamics of Exceptional Schools offers valuable insight into how to navigate this process. The video discusses how to overcome the “groupers” in our lives—those who passively oppose change and progress. It is important to recognize the power of these groupers and know that their negativity can be a huge obstacle to successful upskilling.

Gonzalez’s video offers a useful analogy to help understand how to overcome this obstacle. She compares the process of upskilling to the aerodynamics of an airplane. In order to be successful, the four forces that work on an airplane—lift, weight, drag, and thrust—need to be balanced. In the same way, we must balance the forces that work on us when upskilling. For example, the “lift” in the context of upskilling would be the enthusiasm, energy, and ideas we bring to the process. The “weight” would be the external factors such as budget constraints, student readiness, and other elements that are beyond our control. The “drag” would be the negativity from groupers, or the fatigue from having too much to do. Finally, the “thrust” would be the motivation and drive that we bring to the process of upskilling.

By understanding the forces at play, we can craft a balanced approach to optimise our upskilling efforts. We must also remember that upskilling is an ongoing process, and that it takes time to bring about positive change. With the right attitude and the aerodynamics of exceptional schools in mind, we can become more successful in personal growth and professional development.

Goal Setting

Can Schools Achieve Goals?

The importance of upskilling oneself in goal setting and personal growth cannot be overstated. In Jennifer Gonzalez's video at SXSW EDU, she discusses the need for teachers to be enthusiastic about their work, and how the lack of enthusiasm, which she calls "groupers," can stifle progress. This is a lesson that can be applied to any field and any individual - learning how to set attainable goals and stay motivated to achieve them is paramount to success.

One of the biggest challenges to goal setting is staying motivated. This is where upskilling oneself becomes essential. By taking the time to understand one's own strengths and weaknesses, and learning how to leverage these to achieve one's goals, one can stay on track and develop the skills and knowledge needed to reach their goals. Additionally, understanding how to effectively set realistic goals, break them down into steps, and measure progress can be invaluable.

Research has shown that individuals who set goals and track their progression are more likely to succeed than those who do not. A study conducted by the University of Scranton found that only 8.4% of people who set goals achieved them, compared to just 3.4% of those who did not set any goals. It is clear that setting goals and tracking them is essential for success.

The importance of upskilling oneself in goal setting and personal growth is also important in the workplace. Companies that offer their employees training and development programs are more likely to retain talent and enjoy greater success in the long-term. By taking the time to upskill oneself, one can stay motivated and make more informed decisions, leading to greater success.

In conclusion, upskilling oneself in goal setting and personal growth is an essential part of personal and professional development. By taking the time to understand one's strengths and weaknesses, setting realistic goals, and tracking progress, one can stay motivated and increase their chances of success. It is clear that upskilling oneself can lead to greater personal and professional achievement.

Creativity and Innovation

Can Schools Foster Innovation?

When it comes to upskilling ourselves to be more successful in personal growth and professional development, the video of Jennifer Gonzalez's Aerodynamics of Exceptional Schools can be a helpful guide. Gonzalez’s story of dealing with “groupers”—those who put a damper on enthusiasm and ideas—is an important reminder that negative energy can hold us back from achieving our goals. The video also highlights the need for thrust—the drive to create positive change—which comes from within. To be successful, we must foster a sense of optimism and be willing to take risks.

It’s not always easy to do this, especially when we’re surrounded by people who don’t believe in us. According to a Gallup poll, only 1 in 5 Americans strongly agree that they have a clear path to their goals. But if we can learn to push past those negative influences and focus on our own growth, we can make progress. For example, research shows that those who take online classes or attend professional development programs increase their job satisfaction, productivity, and overall well-being.

Upskilling ourselves is also about understanding our own strengths and weaknesses. We must be willing to learn from our mistakes and be open to new ideas. By doing so, we can create a space for growth and development. Additionally, taking the time to reflect on our experiences and successes can give us the confidence and motivation to keep going.

We can use the advice from Gonzalez’s video to help us upskill for success in personal growth and professional development. We must focus on the lift—the positive changes we can make—and let go of the weight and drag that holds us back. By taking control of our own growth and development, we can move forward and reach our goals.

For Learners

Watching this video will provide a valuable lesson in aerodynamics, as well as the importance of being a positive force for change in our schools and organizations. Jennifer Gonzalez tells a personal story about her experience of dealing with “groupers” in her classroom and how their negative attitude stifled her enthusiasm about teaching and her new ideas. She explains how drag, weight, lift, and thrust can be seen in the context of a school, and how these forces can be used to successfully bring about positive change.

By learning the content of this video, you can benefit from implementing the strategies discussed to bring about positive change in your own life and workplace. Utilizing the ‘what’s in it for me’, ‘what’s in it for them’, ‘what’s in it for us’, and ‘what’s in it for the world’ approach to learning, you can become a positive force for change in your own life and workplace. You will be able to identify the “groupers” in your own life and learn how to effectively counter their negative attitudes, as well as develop strategies to bring about positive change. This video also provides a valuable lesson in aerodynamics, which can help you understand the forces that are at work in any situation and how to use them to reach your desired outcome.

Not learning the content of this video could have detrimental effects on your own personal and professional growth. Without understanding the strategies discussed, you will be unable to recognize and counter the “groupers” in your life, and thus unable to bring about positive change. Additionally, without understanding the lesson in aerodynamics, you will be unable to identify and work with the forces at work in any situation, which could lead to a lack of progress and growth.

Overall, watching this video and learning the content of it can provide a valuable lesson in aerodynamics and strategies to become a positive force for change in our lives and workplaces. By utilizing the ‘what’s in it for me’, ‘what’s in it for them’, ‘what’s in it for us’, and ‘what’s in it for the world’ approach to learning, you can benefit from this video and become a successful life-long learner.

For Employers

In today’s competitive landscape, it’s essential for employers to differentiate themselves from their competition. That’s why it’s important to watch Jennifer Gonzalez’s video on the Aerodynamics of Exceptional Schools. By understanding the content of this video, employers can gain valuable insight into how to create a successful school system that can help their team, customers, and clients reach their goals.

By understanding the four forces that work to help a school system reach its goals—lift, weight, drag, and thrust—employers can gain a better understanding of how to create an environment where their team can thrive. By understanding the forces of lift—which are the methods, materials and technology used in the classroom—employers can create an environment that encourages their team to succeed. Weight, which includes things like poverty and budget constraints, can be addressed by understanding the challenges that employees face and by creating policies that address them. Drag, which includes negativity and fatigue, can be addressed by providing support to employees and recognizing their hard work. And thrust, which is generated by the team, can be generated by providing them with the tools and support they need to reach their goals.

The concepts in this video can help employers differentiate themselves from their competition by creating a school system that is designed for success. By understanding the four forces that affect a school system, employers can create an environment that encourages productivity and success, which in turn will improve customer and client perception of their products. Ultimately, employers who watch this video and understand the content can create a successful school system that can benefit their team, customers, and clients now, in the past, and in the future.

Career Path

Completing a course in Leadership based on the competencies of Leadership, Goal Setting, and Creativity and Innovation can be a career game-changer for life-long learners. With these credentials, learners can gain the necessary skills to become more employable, promotable, and purposeful in their career journey. For example, by watching the video featuring Jennifer Gonzalez on the Aerodynamics of Exceptional Schools, learners can gain the insight and understanding to create an environment of positive change in their workplace. By understanding these concepts, learners will develop the ability to maximize the forces that will help them move toward progress and minimize the ones that work against it. Furthermore, by reading the transcript, learners will understand the power of negativity, the importance of enthusiasm, and the necessity of having a creative mindset to bring about positive change in their workplace.

By completing this course, learners will be able to close the Skills Gap and acquire meaningful work in high demand and high growth industries. They will gain the necessary skills to become more employable, promotable, and purposeful. This course will be the tool they need to open the doors to success in their career. Additionally, they will develop the confidence and knowledge to be able to face any challenge that comes their way and be able to thrive in any environment. With this course, learners will be able to level up and become more marketable, more valuable, and more capable of achieving meaningful work.

Meaning

This famous quote, "holding back is my biggest regret," by Jennifer Gonzalez speaks to the aerodynamics of exceptional schools. This quote shows how the pushback of groupers, who are negative and unwilling to take risks, can weigh down any positive change in the classroom. This is especially true for teachers who are trying to make a positive difference in their schools. As Gonzalez explains, these groupers can create a drag that can slow down any forward progress. It is important for learners and employers to be aware of this dynamic and to foster an environment that encourages risk-taking and forward thinking. It is only through this atmosphere of positivity, collaboration, and innovation that learners can reach their full potential and employers can build a successful workforce.

Takeaway

The most important key takeaway from this video is that enthusiasm and sharing of ideas is essential to creating positive change in our schools. Negativity and pushback can quickly stifle progress, so it's important to stay motivated and continue to share our ideas, even in the face of opposition.