CERRA Book Club discussion

The Infinite Game
This topic is about The Infinite Game
30 views
The Infinite Game > Introductions

Comments Showing 1-16 of 16 (16 new)    post a comment »
dateUp arrow    newest »

message 1: by Suzanne (new) - added it

Suzanne Koty | 64 comments Mod
Thank you for joining the book study. Please take a moment to share the following:
1. Introduce yourself (Name, District, Role, something personal you want to share)
2. What do you hope to gain from this book study?
3. If you have a copy of the book already, read the opening verse (before the title page) and share your reaction to what it says about victory and fulfillment.

Please mark the following dates for the discussions on your calendar.
On or before Jan. 2. Introduce yourself (this discussion thread)
Jan. 23. Introduction - Chapter 2
Feb. 20. Chapters 3 - 5
Mar. 19. Chapters 6-8
Apr. 16. Chapters 9 - 11


Mrs.Tucker (mrstucker) | 1 comments Howdy, all. I'm Melissa Tucker, veteran DTOY for Rock Hill Schools. I currently teach English/language arts at Rock Hill High (grade 10 world lit, AP lang, and AP lit). I am excited to continue growing as a teacher leader with this group and book study.

I loved Simon Sinek's Start with Why, so I'm hoping this is just as good. I don't have my copy yet, but will purchase it over break. I hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday season!


message 3: by AJ (new)

AJ Chambers | 5 comments Hi! My name is A.J. Chambers and I am the current DTOY in Richland 2. I am a video nerd who has the awesome opportunity to teach students to tell stories through broadcast journalism. I am the Convergence Media Director at Richland Northeast High School in Columbia.

In this book club, I hope to be inspired and encouraged to lead. Each year I make specific goals to try to learn something new and this book club is one way I plan to do that. I hope to encourage and be encouraged through our discussions as well.

Sinek's opening was clear. People seek safe, inspirational, and fulfilling work experiences. In order to achieve that one must take a step of faith. I look forward to hearing how he suggests leaders do that.


message 4: by Victoria (new)

Victoria | 2 comments Hi all! My name is Victoria Merritt and I am currently serving as the Dorchester District 2 TOY. I am a huge Clemson Tigers fan and when I’m not coaching swimming, you can probably find me watching (or talking about) Clemson sports.

I am very excited to be a part of the book study for two reasons... 1. How awesome is it that we can do this online and be connected around the state like this? And 2. I was in the market for a new book and inspired after the TOY state conference and feel like the choosing of this book was all meant to be.

In regards to Simon Sinek’s opening line, I feel that victory and fulfillment are an “all or nothing” standard for most people. We’ve been taught from a young age that winning is the only thing that matters that often times we are just constantly moving on to the next goal. Fulfillment is all about the journey and finding happiness in where you are. This is something that I hope to work on in the new year.


message 5: by Suzanne (new) - added it

Suzanne Koty | 64 comments Mod
Welcome, everyone. I am excited to take this journey with you. I am glad that you have decided to read and grow together. We will begin our book discussions on January 23rd. In the meantime, please feel free to share this opportunity with teachers in your District Teacher Forum or other teacher leaders who you think would enjoy it. I have opened the registration in case you have colleagues who wish to join. Until then, happy reading!


message 6: by NICHOLE (last edited Jan 07, 2020 09:22AM) (new)

NICHOLE SCIPIO | 1 comments 1) Hello Leaders! My name is Nichole Scipio. I am DTOY for Florence One School. I teach high school Project Lead the Way - STEM-based Biomedical Science Classes for students interested in healthcare careers. I can attest to being a player in a game that has no finish line with ten years in pharmaceutical sales.
2) I hope to build relationships with my peers. I would also like to gain knowledge and unique perspectives on the state of society today; therefore giving us opportunities to have an open dialogue among our peers on reform and positive change.
3) I do not have a copy of the book but yet; however I am looking forward to my first book club experience! Let the reading began!


message 7: by Sue (new)

Sue (suelarkinsweems) | 1 comments Hi everyone! I'm Sue Weems and I teach English at Blythewood High (dual enrollment English 101 and 102 and English 2). I have four teenagers and don't get near enough sleep (but I'm working on it!). I also overuse parentheses (and I'm not working on it).

I have enjoyed Sinek's other books, but I'm always a little wary of applying business leadership principles in educational contexts. I'm excited to read this book and discuss with other educators from around the state.

The opening verse prioritizes a meaningful journey over a victorious endpoint. Anyone who has accomplished a significant goal or won a race can attest to the dip afterward, with the realization that it wasn't the end, but another beginning. I think sometimes it is hard to begin again each time if we don't manage our expectations well (in teaching and life).

Excited to jump into this book with y'all.


message 8: by Cortney (new)

Cortney Chapman | 3 comments I am Cortney Chapman (formerly Cortney Harless... I just got married in November). I teach Kindergarten in Darlington County School District.
I hope to gain some useful information and perspective that I can bring back to my districts teacher forum.
My book is on CD :) but I'll listen and respond to the opening verse once I get started.


message 9: by Oleva (new)

Oleva Irvin | 3 comments Hi, Everyone!

My name is Oleva Irvin and I am the current DTOY for the School District of Newberry County. I am a fourth grade ELA teacher and just recently started coaching JV girl's soccer!

What hooked me was the "infinite mindset" perspective. I'm excited to learn more about this and hopefully, some strategies/information to help me get more "ahead" than "behind."

According to Amazon Prime, my book should be here tomorrow! :) I'm excited to participate in this experience with you all!


message 10: by Sarah (new)

Sarah Lehman | 1 comments Hello! My name is Sarah Lehman and I am the current DTOY for Barnwell 45. I teach high school Biology and Human Anatomy & Physiology. I am the mom to three amazing boys, ages 7, 4, and 3 (yes, I have my hands full!)

I am excited to be a part of this book club with other teacher leaders and look forward to discussing the chapters with all of you!


message 11: by Laura (new) - added it

Laura Newsome | 1 comments Hello all! I am Laura Newsome, and I am a former 2017 DTOY from Florence District Two. Although I teach all levels, I primarily teach English II, English II-Honors, English III, English IV, and I am the yearbook adviser as well.

The text's title seems to be quite interesting. The Ted Talk provided food for thought on how the book was conceptualized. I am looking forward to delving in to it and to hear your responses.


message 12: by Britani (new)

Britani Magargle | 2 comments 1. Britani Magargle, Lexington School District One, Elementary Resource Teacher, wife of 14 years and mother of 4
2. As a teacher leader, I want to continue learning and growing and changing in a way that helps me improve success for students while simultaneously encouraging and building up others.
3. As teachers and teacher leaders, we should not be in our profession if we are in pursuit of victory. We are not trying to win. We are on the path to Fulfillment. This is a journey in which we are improving ourselves and leading by example. There is no finish line, because we are continuously learning and growing and becoming better versions of ourselves.


message 13: by Elizabeth (new) - added it

Elizabeth | 1 comments Greetings all, I am Elizabeth Humphrey 2nd year as DTOY from Orangeburg County School District. I currently teach 7th grade Science. I love being a mom to my busy 3 year old.

I hope to gain a wealth of knowledge from this book and continue to excel as a teacher leader. I just joined on the evening so I will catch up. Looking forward to learning and sharing as we learn in our book study.


message 14: by Suzanne (new) - added it

Suzanne Koty | 64 comments Mod
Welcome to the book study. The focus is on your own leadership development and contributions to the profession. Therefore, while it is natural to make connections to your classroom practices, I ask that you try to frame your responses mostly to your work as a teacher leader. I have only two requests: participate actively and be supportive of others. I will post prompts or questions. Make an initial post in response to those. Then have conversations with each other by commenting on each other’s posts. The more interactive you make it, the more you can gain from the experience.

Here’s a quick introduction to those who have not met me personally. I am Suzanne Koty. I work at CERRA as the Service Program Facilitator. At heart, I will always be a high school English teacher. I play many roles: educator, leader, follower (the best leaders know when to follow), wife, mother (to humans and dogs), educator, and reader. I love to play strategy games with friends. I love staying home and binge-watching the Food Network. I can’t wait to learn with and from you!


message 15: by Meredith (new)

Meredith Schwendemann | 1 comments Hi Everyone! I am Meredith Schwendemann, current DTOY at Greenwood District 50. I teach Biology 1 Honors, Genetics, AP Biology and am an AVID elective teacher (Those classes at various times, not all at the same time). For fun, I am learning how to cook more food items, bake bread, and sew. I have found I really enjoy these activities. I also help coach cross country and track and field and my husband and I are currently training for our second half marathon. We do not have any human children, but have a menagerie of four-legged friends and fish.

I am looking forward to learning more about various leadership styles and their effectiveness. I think this book is going to help us understand why society often gets education wrong when they relate it to a finite game, when it is indeed infinite. Perhaps we will gain some insights into how to better communicate this to society.

I really resonated with the opening quote. Our system is currently designed around outcomes and we often forget about the journey. We are striving to raise lifelong learners and as teacher/educational leaders, the pressures of GPAs, state exams, etc. can get in the way of the joy of the journey. One thing that has helped me remain and be successful in my educational career is my determination to view education and life in an infinite manner. The finite game raises anxiety and leads to a plethora of unintended consequences for our students and society. I think we can all find more fulfillment in the infinite game.


message 16: by Beverly (new)

Beverly (bwood313) | 2 comments Good afternoon, catching up on the online part of the book discussion. My name is Beverly Wood, I am an assistant principal and former Newberry County School District teacher of the year. I am always looking to grow and develop as an educator.

All I can say about the "infinite perspective" is wow! It's very easy to get caught up in the "victory", but it's important that we remember that there is no finish line and help our students to understand this as well.


back to top