The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon...part 3 of 3!!

It is sad to see the book come to an end....but "all good things must come to an end," right? Here is the last third of the book. I truly do hope for everyone who has read/will read this; they will get something out of it.

Chapter 26

I found the following on the very first page of the chapter; "...when you use the signs to find the right path and make a decision to follow it, God will move heaven and earth to support you. The right people show up. The right situations fall into place. Obstacles dissolve. Creative ideas appear."

• I think this is very important. If I can make the full commitment to letting God handle everything, then I can be confident that He will help me in my teaching. Everything will make sense and I will have less stress if I trust to follow the signs.

Rule #8 Love Your Passengers

Become a love magnet. Let your team know that you care about them and their future. Another important quote is, "...enthusiasm is what gets them on your bus, but love is what keeps them on the bus."

• When I am in the classroom, I have to remember to be enthusiastic so my students will get on my bus but then I have to show them I care about their futures. If I do that, I will have a more enjoyable career. Maybe one way I could do this is by letting them lead FFA meetings and plan events on their own but make sure I'm there if they need anything.

Help the people you love discover the value inside them. The rock that Joy gave George awhile back was actually a piece of gold that had dust on it!! Joy related this to how his team members were pieces of gold that just needed to be dusted off and given the chance to shine.

• Every student has potential. No matter if they are in ag or not. They just need a way to uncover it and I will be super glad if I can help just one student do that. And sometimes ag is what a student needs in order to shine.

Chapter 27       Love Rules

Five Ways to Love Your Passengers

1. Make Time for Them

2. Listen to Them

3. Recognize Them

4. Serve Them

5. Bring Out the Best in Them

Just help your team to be the best they can be; spend time with each of them individually; truly listen to what they have to say.

• If I notice that a student is having trouble, I can casually bring it up to them and then truly listen to what is going on. I want my students to know that I am there for them no matter what. Sometimes they just need someone that will listen and not tell anyone else.

Chapter 28

After reading the 5 Love Rules, George walked into his office building. But as he was walking towards his office; he let fear get the best of him. Michael, one of George's past Energy Vampires has come back and will be getting a second chance. George is definitely ready to take the next step in this journey!

• With guidance from Dr. McLean, I thought some more about who my Energy Vampires might be when I get to the classroom in the spring and through the rest of my career. Some of my Energy Vampires could be the students that don't want to do anything/the ones who are acting out in class. They can also be teachers who don't care and teachers or other people who believe Ag teachers aren't "real" teachers. 
• P.S. we are real teachers; through FFA and events/contents, students learn interpersonal and decision making skills among others.

Chapter 29

Rule #9 Drive With Purpose

Look ahead to the bigger goal; what you truly want out of this situation.

• Whatever I may be going through in the classroom, I need to remember that I want to inspire students to do what they love no matter what it is. I want to educate them further on the topic of agriculture.

Chapter 30

Let your team come up with its purpose on its own. In the end, it makes it more meaningful and inspirational.

• I remember hearing about a few teachers who practice the following in their classrooms. Let the students choose what they want to learn about. They might have to stick to a bit of a curriculum but at least it gives the students ownership in what they are learning.

Chapter 31

This is the big product launch for George and his team. Joy told George that he needs to count his blessings and not think about being stressed.

Rule #10 Have Fun and Enjoy the Ride

You do not need to be so adamant on deadlines and promotions, etc. that it takes up your life. In the end, not everything is going to get done anyway so you might as well breathe, be blessed and have fun.

A study of 95 year olds was completed. If they were to change 3 things in their lives they would be the following; reflect and enjoy more moments, take risks and chances, and leave a legacy.

Joy says, "The best legacy you could leave is not some building that is named after you or a piece of jewelry but rather a world that has been impacted by your presence, your joy, and your positive actions."

• This is why I want to teach agriculture. It is something I am passionate about and I want to impact my students in any way possible.

Chapter 32

The product launch was a success! George could see the negativity in the executives eyes but then he thought of Joy's smiling face and was calm again. George and his team stayed and celebrated afterwards with some unofficial team building activities.

Chapter 33

George went to the repair to get his car back finally. The receptionist's name was Joy! "It wasn't something he could teach with words. It was something she needed to experience," Gordon says.

Chapter 34

George hopped on the bus the next day even though he had his car back. He had made a bigger sign with the 10 Energy Bus Rules written on it. It is to be posted on the bus so Joy can more easily help others learn the rules.

The book also included an 11 step action plan at the end that can be personalized for YOUR energy bus.

Here is my 11 step action plan.
1. Create Your Vision

• I want to be a better teacher than I am right now at the end of student teaching.

2. Fuel Your Vision with Purpose

• I want to be able to see students succeed and gain new knowledge.

3. Write Down Your Vision/Purpose Statement

• I want to be a better teacher than I am now so that I can watch students succeed and gain knowledge that will benefit them in the future.

4. Focus on Your Vision

• This means sending it to everyone on the team; coming soon!!

5. Zoom Focus

• coming soon!
• practice teaching and watch others; the more I watch others, the more variability I will be able to try on my own

6. Get on the Bus

• This means sending out bus tickets. It's a real thing at www.theenergybus.com

7. Fuel the Ride with Positive Energy and Enthusiasm

• be positive with cohort members and teachers
• This will become a way of life and will transfer to the students when I am teaching.

8. Post a Sign that Says "No Energy Vampires Allowed"

• If I were to do that in the classroom, I'm not sure what kind of response I would get from the students. They might think I was extra weird or they could be confused.

9. Navigate Adversity and Potholes

• Be flexible! When stuff goes awry, just be ready to try it a different way or try something else all together

10. Love Your Passengers

• I talked about this before. I just have to show everyone that I am there to help them learn but I am also there for them if they need someone to talk to.

11. Have Fun and Enjoy the Ride

• remember the why! Why am I doing this? (to better other people, to see them succeed with the light bulb moment)