inspiring workshops

I attended a workshop called Sun Zi's Art of War and Classroom Management this morning! The presenter was very interesting and inspiring! He was very engaging and had lots of interesting cartoons and videos; most of all, he was definitely speaking from experience which made the advice dished out all the more precious!

Some choice quotes and interesting ideas:

*A good teacher is a good actor: change yourself.

*Apparently, the period which Sun Zi lived had many great thinkers. There was Lao Zi and Confucius for the East, and Socrates, Plato and Aristotle dominating the Western world. This makes me want to go and read and compare everything...which is impossible considering how terrible my chinese is!

*The way of war is the art of deception (refer to the 1st bullet)

*Military disposition should be like water. Water shapes its current according to the land. The warrior shapes his victory according to the enemy. Application? Be like water; change according to the situation and don't keep banging your head against the war.

*People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. Application - am I too task oriented? Should I show more care for my students?

*Our students are not our customers, they are our raw materials. (it sounds worse than it is...heh heh) so we must shape them accordingly to what they can become, or want to become. use the right tools for the right materials!

*"Mian Zi" (Face) is very important. Leave a passage for a besiged army. Do not press an enemy at bay.

*And most most most importantly, Don't fight every war! There are roads not to take; armies not to attack; town not to besign; terrains not to contest; ruler's orders not to obey. This can link to the 36 strategies, especially the last one which advises retreat when all else fails.

For those who want the original, the chinese text can be found here, and an english translation here.

Happy reading! And remember, "invulnerabilty rest with self"...always ensure your own mental well-being before tackling the students' problems!