The Tipping Point

Norm M · Member

Book Study Questions - Week 1

LaDawne B · Member

II. Introduce yourself

Hi everyone I am LaDawne Britten I am a part time counselor at Wiley School!

Vita Sharing - if you don't have a resume in your back pocket, prepare one and be prepared to post it for us when the website is in place.

III. Questions for discussion

a) Introduction

i) From this brief introduction, describe the "tipping point."

The author described this as the biography of an idea.
The name given to the one dramatic moment in an epidemic when
everything can change all at once.

ii) at what point does something "tip"?

Something "tips" when a small number of people in the small number ofsituations had some impact and started behaving very differently and
that behavior spread.

iii) Gladwell asserts that "gradualism" is the norm, that most of us, by nature, are gradualists. Is there room in our ordered society for "tippers"? If so, where and how?

I believe there is room in our society for “tippers” because we are all free thinkers who do generally think the same way but we also have our own ideas and thoughts. Some of us become tippers because of situations that happen to us in our lives that move us to action yet others of us our naturally curious and naturally want to change situations.

b) Chapter 1. The Three Rules of Epidemics

1) What are the three rules of epidemics?

The Law of the Few
The Stickiness Factor
The Power of Context

2) What is the 80/20 principle?

The author describes the 80/20 principal as 8- percent of the “work”
will be done by 20 percent of the participants.

3) Who is R. J. Reynolds?

Marketers at R.J. Reynolds, which sells Winston.

Erin T · Member

Week 1

i) The “tipping point” is the “one dramatic moment in an epidemic when everything can change all at once.” Some examples of things that have tipped are the fashion craze for Hush Puppies and the fall of New York’s crime rate.

ii) The point at which something tips is when “everything changes at all at once” and “the end result—the effect—seems far out of proportion to the cause.”

iii) In our “ordered society”, I believe there is plenty of room for “tippers.” I actually believe it is the American Dream to be a “tipper,” to come up with the next big thing and have it catch on like wildfire, in education, technology, parenting practices, business, etc.

b) Chapter 1. The Three Rules of Epidemics
1) The three rules of epidemics or “tipping points” are the Law of the Few, the Stickiness Factor, and the Power of Context.
2) The 80/20 principle is when 80% of the work is done by 20% of the participants. It was most understandable to me when Gladwell explained it in terms of drivers; “twenty percent of motorists cause 80 percent of crimes.
3) Who is R. J. Reynolds? R.J. Reynolds sells Winston cigarettes and its’ marketers were responsible for the “Stickiness Factor” of the Winston Epidemic which was “Winston tastes good like a cigarette should.”

Erin T · Member

Erin Tomky

“...takes on new challenges with ease...very cooperative team member…participates in all school activities… natural motivator for students and staff...”
Andy Beeman
former administrator
“...will enthusiastically embrace embrace all students, including those with disabilities…determined to learn the necessary elements and requirements…does not hesitate to ask questions or offer suggestions in order to help her teammates deal with the diversity of her students...” Mary P. Coe
Cognitive Needs Program
Red Hill Elementary School
“...my daughters accommodations has never seemed intimidating to Ms. Gramstorff…came up with so many different ideas and even consulted with her co-workers with my permission..,” Jodi Dietrich Parent of a Diverse Student

Education, Licensure, and Nomination
Bachelor of Science Liberal Studies
Colorado State University-Pueblo, Pueblo, CO. 2007

Professional Teacher License
Endorsement: Elementary Education
Colorado 2009

Initial Teacher License
Endorsement: Elementary Education
Colorado 2007

Rookie of the Year Nominee
Eagle County School District

Employment
Kindergarten Teacher at La Junta Primary School
• Implement instruction to meet the individual learning needs of all students resulting in an increase in student achievement in the teaching and learning cycle
• Provide accommodations for Autistic and ESL students
• Maintained positive inter-personal relationships with students, parents, staff, and community members.
Kindergarten Teacher at Red Hill Elementary School
• Adapted instruction to meet the individual learning needs of all students resulting in an increase in student achievement.
• Provided accommodations for ESL and Hard of Hearing students.
• Maintained positive inter-personal relationships with students, parents, staff, and community members.
• Involved in supporting and contributing to student and professional growth through the Teacher Advancement Program.
Preschool Teacher at Boone Migrant and Seasonal Head Start
• Supported and encouraged advancement of students learning through quality instruction.
• Developed and maintained relationships with students and their families.
Substitute Teacher for Pueblo District #70
• Delivered and supplemented lesson plans for a variety of grades.
• Developed and maintained a professional relationship with students, parents, faculty, staff, and the community.

Professional Affiliations
La Junta Education Association
Leadership Team
International Reading Association

Patty O · Member

i)From this brief, describe the "tipping point."

The tipping point is the dramatic increase resulting from a specific trigger (or set of triggers) which causes a geometric multiplication of incidents of a previously stable behavior.

ii)At what point does something "tip"?

According to the author the tipping point is “the moment of critical mass, the threshold, and the boiling point.” It is the point at which a predictable incidence responds to a seemingly minor stimulus and explosive growth follows.

iii)Gladwell asserts that "gradualism" is the norm, that most of us, by nature, are gradualists. Is there room in our ordered society for "tippers"? If so, where and how?

The problem is not, necessarily that trends tip the scale and change norms, but that the societal changes are sometimes harmful and/or negative. Perhaps many tippers, intentionally or not, cause tipping because it is profitable or preferable to that individual without thought and/or concern for its impact on society. In short, if the majority of “tippers” were furthering my opinions of what would be beneficial and good, I would probably have a greater appreciation for their work. Sooo… perhaps a staff member could be a tipper—someone who can identify and motivate a positive trend and have the energy and enthusiasm to get all teachers on board. Having one of those special people as a student body president might be beneficial to change the tone of the student body to a more cohesive group with academic goals. Maybe “tippers” are the difference between mediocre schools and outstanding schools. That would be why we read books about individuals who change the tone of a school and create successful outcomes where there was only failure. There is always a place for people with the special gift to make positive change.

CHAPTER 1 The Three Rules of Epidemics

1)What are the three rules of epidemics?

Rule one: The Law of the Few: a person (or small group of persons) effectively promotes “it” through energy, enthusiasm, connections and /or personality.

Rule two: The Stickiness Factor: Something or someone makes “it sticky” (memorable) through presentation or structuring of information.

Rule Three: “The Power of Context: Environmental circumstances and conditions have an impact on “its” spread.

2)What is the 80/20 principle?

The 80/20 principal is the idea that in any given situation 80% of the activity is a result of the work of only 20% of the population of interest.

3)Who is R. J. Reynolds?

The book identifies R. J. Reynolds as the company (place) that sells Winston Cigarettes, probably named after its founder. The marketers at R.J. Reynolds coined the “sticky” slogan “Winston tastes good like a cigarette should.”

Patty O · Member

Patricia J. Odell

3504 Memorial Dr.

Lamar, CO 81052

719-336-9686

oldisrelative@yahoo.com

OBJECTIVE

To obtain a position where I can apply my expertise and experience to assist students to achieve maximum post-secondary school outcomes through academic, social, and behavioral instruction targeted to individual learning strengths and academic, social, behavioral and physical needs.

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Results-oriented, high-energy, hands-on professional, with a successful record of motivating high-risk students to complete high school and continue into post-secondary education and/or a career.
Improve at-risk student academic success by identifying contributing factors in order to select and instruct appropriate interventions.
Facilitate and lead multi-disciplinary teams to isolate causative factors and produce goal-oriented plans to effect change.
Document, monitor and assure follow-through on plan implementation.
Maintain compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.

EXPERIENCE IN EDUCATION

Special Education Teacher: Individualized planning, preparation, instruction and documentation to accelerate the learning of students with disabilities to succeed with their grade level peers. Assist students to learn to monitor, regulate and advocate their learning and educational needs. Guide students to prepare and plan transitional needs in post-secondary education including financial aid for college or technical school success and/or learning skills and preparation to enter the workforce following high school graduation. Compliance with State and Federal laws and regulations in relation to research-based and best-practices in preparing students for completion of high school and career success..

Elementary Teacher: Implementation of all aspects related to the art of instruction, professionalism, and care required in an elementary classroom blended with the science of research-based best practice.

Special Education ParaProfessional: Provided instruction and support for junior high and high school students inside and outside of the special education classroom. This included students with a variety of high-risk characteristics including academic, physical, social and behavioral difficulties.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

RtI (Response to Intervention) Director

ACT Accommodations Coordinator

PBS (Positive Behavior Support) Committee

SIT (School Improvement Team) Recorder

Accountability Committee

DEGREES

Elementary Education: Bachelor of Arts, Summa cum Laude, Adams State College, Alamosa, CO, 2005. Licensed: 2005

Special Education Generalist: Master of Arts, Summa cum Laude, Adams State College, Alamosa, CO, 2008. Licensed: 2008

References Available on Request

LaDawne B · Member

Resume

7-12 Counselor, Wiley, CO (2008-Present)

*Teaching K-6^th grade counseling lessons

*Test coordinator for PSAT, ACT, PLAN, ASVAB, and CSAP (SAC)

*Counsels seniors on college preparation, scholarship, financial aid, and job placement.

K-12 Counselor, Holly, CO (2006-2008)

High School Computer Teacher, Holly, CO (2006-2008)

*Teaching K-6^th grade counseling lessons

*Test coordinator for PSAT, ACT, PLAN, ASVAB, and CSAP (SAC)

*Teaching 12^th grade college preparation class

*Teaching 9^th grade Microsoft Office

*Technology Coordinator for JH and High School PC computer lab

*Statistician for High School boys and girls basketball

JH & High School Computer Teacher, Holly, CO (2004-2006)

Reading Specialist, Holly, CO(2004-2006)

*Teaching 7^th and 8^th grade keyboarding.

*Teaching 9^th grade Microsoft Office

*Teaching small group Linda Mood Bell Intervention

*Computer Coordinator for JH and High School PC computer lab

*Sponsor of the 10^th grade class.

*Statistician for High School boys and girls basketball

4th Grade Teacher, Wiley School, Wiley, CO (2003 – 2004)

* Teaching 4^th grade math, reading, technology, science, social studies, language, literature circles, and writing.

* Gifted and Talented computer teacher

* Member of the after school tutoring program

* Attended Reading First classes

6^th Grade Teacher, Wiley School, Wiley, CO (2002- 2003)

* Teaching 6^th grade reading, math, social studies, science, language, and writing.

* Teaching 7^th grade reading.

* Co-HighSchool Cheerleading Coach

* Sponsor of the 10^th grade class.

Music Teacher, McClave School, McClave, CO (January 7, 2002 – August 2002)

* Teaching Kindergarten through 4^th grade music

* Teaching 5^th through 12^th grade band

* Co-sponsor of the 10^th grade class

Betty B · Member

BETTY L. BLANCO

Objective: To obtain a teaching position in grades K to 12 where I may use all the skills acquired during my teaching career and to apply my experience to assist students to achieve their maximum abilities

CERTIFICATION/LICENSE

Professional Teacher License, Colorado Dept. of Education

Endorsements: Art/Spanish/Linguistically Diverse: (Bilingual); K -12^th; 2009-14

EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE

Vilas Online Schools; Vilas, CO; Art/Foreign Language teacher; 2^nd-12^th grades; 2003-2011

Syracuse School District; Syracuse, KS; Spanish/ESL (English as a Second Language), 9 -12^th grades; 1998-99

Rocky Ford School District; Rocky Ford, CO; ESL, 9 -12^th; 1995-96

Fort Morgan School District; Fort Morgan, CO, Bilingual Education/ESL (English as a Second Language), Kindergarten teacher; 1994-95

Homemaker/Substitute Teacher; three school districts; 1981-92 (I decided to take time with my children- I also obtained valuable teaching experience during this time)

Las Animas Schools; Las Animas, CO, Bilingual Director/Teacher, K- 3rd; 1980-81

East Otero Schools; La Junta, Colorado; Bilingual teacher;

Kindergarten; and Art teacher for elementary and high school; 1973-79

Manzanola Schools; Manzanola, Colorado; Bilingual teacher; Kindergarten/1st grade; 1972-73

American-Nicaraguan Schools; Managua, Nicaragua; Art/Psychology/Home Economics teacher; Jr. and Sr. High; 1970-71

OTHER EMPLOYMENT

Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site; La Junta, CO, 1992-98, Park Ranger

Alan Landsberg Productions; Hollywood, California; Television actress 1979-80

EDUCATION

BA Degree, Art Education, Colorado State University, Pueblo, CO; Psychology minor; May 1970

Continuing Education, Otero Jr. College, Adams State, CSU, School of Mines and more; Bilingual Educ., Photo-Journalism, Psychology, Spanish and Sociology

VOLUNTEER

Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site, Cub/Boy Scouts, Drug/Suicide Hotline,

WORK Headstart, Parks and Recreation Board

LANGUAGES Spanish,some French,Cheyenne, American/Indian Sign language

SPECIAL Journalism, Paralegal /Criminal Investigations, acting, living history, SKILLS research, writing, office machines, computers

REFERENCES INCLUDED IN COLLEGE PLACEMENT UPON REQUEST

Betty B · Member

WEEK 1

√ I. Examine the attached syllabus

√ II. Introduce yourself

Vita Sharing - if you don't have a resume in your back pocket, prepare one and be prepared to post it for us when the website is in place.

√III. Questions for discussion a) Introduction

i) From this brief introduction, describe the "tipping point."

The tipping point is the one moment that change dramatically increases resulting triggering a multiplication of incidents of a previously stable behavior until it becomes the norm. Conversely, the opposite may be true as well. For example, things that have “tipped” are the fashion craze for Hush Puppies and the fall of New York’s crime rate.

ii) At what point does something "tip"?

According to Gladwell, the tipping point is “the moment of critical mass, the threshold, and the boiling point.” This is very much out of the normal. There is some kind of impact and a dramatic change takes place. It is the point at which a predictable incidence responds to a seemingly minor stimulus and then, there is explosive growth that follows and “the end result—the effect—seems far out of proportion to the cause.”

iii) Gladwell asserts that "gradualism" is the norm, that most of us, by nature, are gradualists. Is there room in our ordered society for "tippers"? If so, where and how?

Yes, I do believe that there is room in our society for “tippers,” because we are all different; we have our own ideas and thoughts. Situations and environments can cause any one of us to become tippers; call it a creative force, if you will. There is always a place for people with the special gift to make positive change. We do not need the negative “tipper” of course. One who may carry diseases, bad attitude, or any negative behavior can have a bad “tipping” effect on our society.

b) Chapter 1. The Three Rules of Epidemics

1) What are the three rules of epidemics?

The three rules of epidemics or “tipping points” are:

The Law of the Few: a person (or group of persons) who effectively promotes “tipping” through energy, enthusiasm, connections and /or personality.
The Stickiness Factor: Something or someone makes “stick” in memory through repetition or structuring of information.
The Power of Context: Environmental circumstances and conditions that influence the sudden change and /or spread

2) What is the 80/20 principle?

Gladwell describes the 80/20 principle as being when 80% of the work is done by 20% of the participants. 3) Who is R. J. Reynolds? R. J. Reynolds is the company (place) that sells Winston Cigarettes. The marketers at R.J. Reynolds coined the “sticky” slogan (or jingle) “Winston tastes good like a cigarette should.”