I want to thank everyone who has expressed their disbelief, disgust and dismay that early August now marks the start of "Back to School" season. Yes, I too long for the days when school didn’t begin until after Labor Day. And yet, those of us with administrative responsibilities are already back in the building, preparing for that first faculty day. Thankfully, there's no shortage of memes capturing exactly how every teacher is feeling right now.
I’m in charge of icebreakers. Whether you dread the requisite "dynamica" or not, it’s rare for any community gathering to begin without at least one—or two, or more. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of resources online—and now even AI—to help school leaders, meeting coordinators, or party planners find the perfect low, middle and high risk activity. Yes, even icebreakers fall into categories..
I'm partial to icebreakers that are both clever and whimsical. I like those that teach me a little bit about another person and myself. A good icebreaker will get juices flowing and elicit smiles. Best case scenario leads to clapping, laughter—maybe a high five or two. They need not be competitive. I say save that for later in the day. In the meantime, here's one of my favorite icebreakers—Sports and Spirituality style. You can use it with faculty or with your students.
Icebreaker: My N.A.M.E. (shocking, I know)
Risk: low to medium
Objective: to get to know each other to think of interesting facts that correspond to the letters of their first name. Have each participant share their acronym with someone next to them.
Consider the letters of your first name. Find a thematic word for each letter—one that can tell a story about who you are. Here's my example, using my name, Anne.
A: American Studies.
N: Negative
N: Naughton
E: Eclectic
A: American Studies
I loved my major. Housed within the College of Arts and Letters, I found my way to American Studies almost by accident. I hadn’t been familiar with the field, but today I take every opportunity to share it with current students. While Notre Dame doesn’t offer a journalism degree, many alumni writers and editors earned their B.A. in American Studies. The program explores American culture and life, requiring students to choose two of three disciplines—government, English, and history. I chose the latter two, along with a wide range of cross-listed courses that enriched my experience in the department.
A huge shout out to fellow Farleyite Megan Derbes McCarthy '96 for telling me about our major.
N: Negative
I don’t consider myself a pessimistic person, but I am fascinated by the moments in life when a negative becomes a positive. My mind immediately goes to golf.
In this game, the pros often post scores in the negative. It's one of the rare sports where being “in the red” is a good thing—where the lowest score wins.
Beyond the course, I find myself drawn to the idea of addition by subtraction. When has less truly been more? Sometimes, a team improves after losing a player whose attitude or demands were holding them back.
On a brighter note, a negative can ignite change. A tough loss or a bad experience can fuel a deeper desire to improve, to work harder, to grow. Without that early-season loss to Northern Illinois, would Notre Dame have had the remarkable run they did? Though the Irish ultimately fell short in the National Championship, that initial setback sparked a season that leaves us only with memories in the black.
 |
| look at all those negative numbers on the board! |
N: Naughton
Naughton is my mother's maiden name. Her father, Michael John Naughton, like many who share his surname came from Co. Roscommon, in the west of Ireland.
When I traveled to the Emerald Isle in 2022, I purchases a keychain with the Naughton family crest for my mom. On the back was the translation of the name. It said, "A personal name meaning bright or pure." To read that definition took my breath away. As written in my blog post FIT—My One Word Theme of the Year: What's Yours? my theme word for 2022 —pure— is part of my family lineage.
E: Eclectic
Look to the 10 stations programmed on my car stereo and you will find that my musical taste and listening preferences are quite eclectic. From country to hard rock, classical to musica Latina, public and sports talk radio, more country, pop and even a modern jazz station are on queue. I'm proud of that I hold a spectrum of musical interests as song has always been a wonderful way to connect with others.
In conclusion
- I recommend giving a little bit of lead time for people to consider descriptions for each letter. It's not just the introverts who will appreciate the lead time.
- Those with longer names are free to use an abbreviated version e.g. Jenn for Jennifer or Gus for Augustine.
- Every person also has the right to pass on one letter in their name. Dealer's choice.
Ultimately, this icebreaker allows a person to tell a story, to think creatively, to share a little bit about themselves and find all of that and more in another person. Teachers might be thrilled to start fresh and begin anew. Others are doing what they can to get in the door. Somewhere in between lies the opportunity to listen to one another, offer insight, have fun and break the ice.
I believe it more and more—investing in our social capital pays the greatest dividends.
Here's to a great year!
Photo Credits
Teaching is a work of the heart
Leader Board
Ice Breakers
Truth for Teachers
No comments:
Post a Comment