Building our own "Prepared Minds"

Building Our Own “Prepared Mind”

The Athlos Academies staff does our best to model our mission daily. One component of this is expanding our understanding of a variety of related topics through a community book club. Meeting every two or three weeks, we have read books together that align with our three pillars. Most recently, the team finished reading and discussing the book Drive by Daniel Pink.

In relation to the Prepared Mind pillar, discussion centered around, how intrinsic motivators are what sustain personal growth and development. Through his research, Pink identifies autonomy, mastery, and purpose as the three most powerful motivators. Our group had a good discussion on how each of these impacts us personally and how schools facilitate (or not) these key dimensions.

We also read the book Spark by Dr. John Ratey, recognizing that this book could serve as an anchor text for Athlos. Dr. Ratey highlights all kinds of brain research that shows how exercise impacts how we deal with stress, anxiety, depression, and learning. Each of us shared insight into how we benefit from exercise and how that recognition has changed over time. This book certainly validates fundamental components of our Athlos model! Dr. Ratey’s most recent book, Go Wild is on our upcoming docket.

Currently, our group is diving into Paul Tough’s book, How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character. We’re excited to read and learn about the examples he shares within this book, that also validate our concerted efforts around performance character. No doubt, Tough’s work showcases a variety of examples that could come directly from current (and future) Athlos schools.

Keep an eye on our Facebook page as we share insights and ideas that emerge from our rich discourse and communal reading!

 

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