Jeff's Story (visit AppreciativeVentures.com)
I wonder …
~ I am wondering …
~ I am in wonder of …
I value being outdoors ~ which comes from growing up and spending quality time playing, hiking and climbing in the Green Mountains of Vermont (USA). In setting out for a day’s walk, the inadvertent questions were (and continue to be) Where am I going? How do I get from here to there? What do I need to do? And, How will it look like when I arrive? My ventures have changed with time. There still are the outdoor ventures in Guatemala amongst the volcano climbs and the kayak trips, but challenges with the same questions are present in my personal/professional paths that I have chosen – and I enjoy the wondering …
In the path chosen for my studies I have had to answer the same questions. During my undergraduate studies I knew that I wanted a connection as a physical educator with meaningful learning and so attended a university program with the focus of Experiential Education by John Dewey at the University of Vermont. Following this, I felt the need to apply this and was able to do so in my work with rural schools and communities in Guatemala as a Peace Corps volunteer. This experience led me to wonder more about education based on humanics and the whole person through body-mind-spirit, as garnered at Springfield College while studying curriculum, teaching & administration. The next step in my experiential path took form in my work as a teacher and coach at the American International School of Guatemala and the Taipei American School. Working parallel to these experiences to develop my skills as a facilitator, I formed and directed Ascending Ventures, which focused on the use of adventure-based education in teambuilding. I realized (during my wondering) that all are aimed towards optimal performance. As such, these steps along the path have led me to finding Appreciative Inquiry (AI). My doctoral studies of social construction theory with the Taos Institute through Tilburg University have provided me with a basis for understanding the complexity of factors in creating learning systems for optimal performance and the value of AI as a tool for working with individuals and organizations.
I find wonder in the power and purpose of play, as these are the moments of true ‘flow’, learning, and connection. I am wondering about the potential for the future if we focus on our positive core and use our own strengths – especially collectively. I am in wonder of the details found in the scenery along the path – our conversations, goals, actions, reflections and ultimately our choices in making a difference. Having worked as the curriculum facilitator and teacher of adventure and health classes at Colegio Maya (American International School of Guatemala), I have been afforded opportunities to make these operable. As a member of Empowerment Unlimited, I am able to make these available to others.
*This photo was taken on New Year's Day, 2010, on top of Volcano Cuxliquel (a tad over 3,000 mts.) in Quetzaltenango with the Volcano Santa Maria (3,772 mts.) in the background.
~ I am wondering …
~ I am in wonder of …
I value being outdoors ~ which comes from growing up and spending quality time playing, hiking and climbing in the Green Mountains of Vermont (USA). In setting out for a day’s walk, the inadvertent questions were (and continue to be) Where am I going? How do I get from here to there? What do I need to do? And, How will it look like when I arrive? My ventures have changed with time. There still are the outdoor ventures in Guatemala amongst the volcano climbs and the kayak trips, but challenges with the same questions are present in my personal/professional paths that I have chosen – and I enjoy the wondering …
In the path chosen for my studies I have had to answer the same questions. During my undergraduate studies I knew that I wanted a connection as a physical educator with meaningful learning and so attended a university program with the focus of Experiential Education by John Dewey at the University of Vermont. Following this, I felt the need to apply this and was able to do so in my work with rural schools and communities in Guatemala as a Peace Corps volunteer. This experience led me to wonder more about education based on humanics and the whole person through body-mind-spirit, as garnered at Springfield College while studying curriculum, teaching & administration. The next step in my experiential path took form in my work as a teacher and coach at the American International School of Guatemala and the Taipei American School. Working parallel to these experiences to develop my skills as a facilitator, I formed and directed Ascending Ventures, which focused on the use of adventure-based education in teambuilding. I realized (during my wondering) that all are aimed towards optimal performance. As such, these steps along the path have led me to finding Appreciative Inquiry (AI). My doctoral studies of social construction theory with the Taos Institute through Tilburg University have provided me with a basis for understanding the complexity of factors in creating learning systems for optimal performance and the value of AI as a tool for working with individuals and organizations.
I find wonder in the power and purpose of play, as these are the moments of true ‘flow’, learning, and connection. I am wondering about the potential for the future if we focus on our positive core and use our own strengths – especially collectively. I am in wonder of the details found in the scenery along the path – our conversations, goals, actions, reflections and ultimately our choices in making a difference. Having worked as the curriculum facilitator and teacher of adventure and health classes at Colegio Maya (American International School of Guatemala), I have been afforded opportunities to make these operable. As a member of Empowerment Unlimited, I am able to make these available to others.
*This photo was taken on New Year's Day, 2010, on top of Volcano Cuxliquel (a tad over 3,000 mts.) in Quetzaltenango with the Volcano Santa Maria (3,772 mts.) in the background.
