The Minimalist Educator Podcast Episode 082: Courage Is a Muscle with Ming Shelby
Courage isn't just a virtue, it's a skill that can transform our educational environments when practiced intentionally. In this compelling conversation with returning guest, Ming Shelby, we explore how educators can cultivate courage in challenging situations and discover unexpected joy through letting go.
Ming shares a powerful personal story about facing an unexpected confrontation with a colleague. Rather than responding defensively or avoiding the conflict, she demonstrated the "power of the pause" by suggesting they revisit the conversation "when we're both resourceful." This simple yet profound technique created space for emotions to settle before engaging in what became a productive dialogue that preserved dignity on both sides. Most importantly, Ming addresses the timing of difficult conversations – waiting too long allows feelings to fester, while addressing issues promptly (within hours, not weeks) prevents additional complications.
The conversation takes a provocative turn when Ming suggests that a necessary courageous shift in education involves "teachers letting go of control." Through illuminating examples ranging from kindergarten flexible seating to high school assessment practices, she illustrates how thoughtful release of control benefits everyone in the educational ecosystem. For educators hesitant to make changes, Ming recommends starting small: "It's not a one-time conversation...what if we tried this one thing?" This gradual approach honors the personal nature of teaching while still encouraging growth.
We dive into positive psychology's role in education, exploring the "broaden and build theory" which explains how positive emotions expand our vision of what's possible with students. Ming shares how she transformed negative team meetings into spaces of celebration by simply changing the opening ritual to sharing positive experiences – a reminder that small structural changes can dramatically shift school culture. As Ming notes in her pare-down pointer: "Courage is contagious... courage is also a muscle. So keep practicing."
This episode is sponsored by Plan Z Education Services.
Find our book The Minimalist Teacher and Your School Leadership Edit: A Minimalist Approach to Rethinking Your School's Ecosystem at the links!
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The Minimalist Educator Podcast is a Plan Z Education Services adventure.