TACTics Journal

A Publication for and by TOC for Education Practitioners

May 30, 2003

In this week’s issue:

Conference Reflections

(1) Linda Trapnell

(2) Rocco Surace

Connections

(3) A Request Please, Marina Rodriguez

(4) Bernie King?, Kay Buckner-Seal

Editor’s Notes

(5) To Our Conference Attendees, Cheryl A. Edwards

CONFERENCE REFLECTIONS

(1) Linda Trapnell, United Kingdom

Hi Cheryl,

I hope everyone got home OK following the conference. We all promised to

send you our thoughts so here it goes…

It was wonderful, as usual, to meet up with “old hands” and lots of new

friends. Where else can you dine out with a United Nations of companions

and have so much in common? The “family” grows wider spread every year.

The only language problems appeared to be between USA and UK! …Two

countries divided by a common language.

The work that Michael Round presented on the use of the negative branch in

sorting out Math problems was an excellent example to us allthat no

subject is immune to the use of TOC to bring clarity to our thinking. I'm

lining up the problems to send to him.

Eleanor gave a practical demonstration of how the use of the negative

branch can be combined with a variety of other thinking skills to make

learning a positive experience for those pupils with dyslexia. She delivered

her training using the techniques she recommended—always the best

practice.

Michele's work with students from challenging backgrounds gave all of us

food for thought, especially the coloured sweets/candy exercise for

teaching the vocabulary of emotions.

Kevin gave us a preview of the CD-ROM, which will be well received by the

pupils.

Cheryl/Belinda/Jackie's work on the negative branch used in Literature and

comprehension was excellent practical guidance to the classroom

practitioner and trainer alike.

Sandra's work in Ecuador shows (definitely) that one determined person can

make a difference.

Danilo was creative, as usual, and his team of researchers was inspirational.

Audrey Taylor led us through the layers of resistance and I regretted not

being able to do all the sessions as the pull from other areas exerted itself.

Perhaps one negative of the Conference was that there was so much

offered—difficult choices had to be made. I never got to see Rami or Efrat!

These are but a few highlights of the Conference, crowned of course by the

A Goal Academyproduction at the final dinner. WOW! Well done

Francois and the gang—a very slick production! Not a dry eye in the house.

And the singing…

Matt and I had a frantic journey to Atlanta with lots of small delays leaving

us 5 minutes to catch our flight to London, which fortunately was delayed

for one hour despite Jerry Springer also waiting to board! Our baggage did

not make the flight and turned up two days later. The following day, I drove

4 hours into the wilds of Mid Wales to speak to 150 Head Teachers

(Principals) on my favourite subject—TOC. It was a great success and

they’ve asked me back to do some training. I shared the sweet/candy

exercise Michele—they loved it and thought you very inventive.

Thanks Kathy/Bernie/Angela and everyone else involved for organising such

a great event in a beautiful part of your country. Make sure you all take a

rest. Where next?

Look what you started Eli!

Love,

Linda

(2) Rocco Surace, USA

This is the second year in a row that Rocco and his daughter, Christianna

have attended the TOCFE International conference. Christianna is studying

to be a teacher.

It is rare that you get exposed to truly inspirational stories. The stories of

Dr. Santiago from the Philippines, Marina Rodriguez and Jose Martinez from

Mexico were just that. Khaw Choon Ean’s story from Maylaysia especially

astounded me. Webster must add a new definition for incredible!

An observation—People in business are a little amazed that TOC can be used

in education. When I am attending a TOCFE conference, I often get

questions like, “How is TOC used in business?” There is a message there.

Something that I will be able to take with me to business is to teach the

focused approach of the three tools when leading people through their

development and deployment of their strategic initiatives.

 

CONNECTIONS

(3) A Request, Please

From Marina Rodriguez, Monterrey Mexico

I am looking for a copy of the TOCFE 2000 International Conference

videotape. Could someone send me a copy? Please contact me at

consolexnl@hotmail.com.

Thanks in advance,

Marina

(4) Bernie King?

From Kay Buckner-Seal

Hi!

This is an open letter of apology for the misspelling of Bernie Kean’s name in

last week’s TACTics. As you know, the title of each article appears twice in

each issue of TACTicsonce in the agenda and again with the actual article.

Though I caught the error in the actual article, somehow I let the error in

the title (Bernie King, Our Unsung Hero!) slip past me in last week’s agenda.

Sorry, Bernie! You truly are our unsung hero. And no, you are not Bernie

King—you are Queen Bernie!

Love ya!

K.

EDITOR’S NOTES

(5) To Our Conference Attendees

From Cheryl A. Edwards

I know how busy you are, but won't you please send in your article about the

sessions you attended at the conference? Our TOCFE friends who could not

attend the conference are depending on you to learn all about the

conference. So, won't you please take the time to write up your insights and

reflections and send them to me at cedwards@cedarville.net, or via postal

service to 2253 S. Hill Island Rd. Cedarville, MI USA. Thank you!

Feel free to share with us. Send your responses, applications of the thinking

processes, lessons, announcements, and etc. by mail to: Cheryl A. Edwards,

2253 S. Hill Island Rd., Cedarville, Michigan 49719, USA. Or send hyperlink

to cedwards@cedarville.net or bucknek@earthlink.net.

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