Miguel's Magic Map to Leadership

Miguel's Magic Map
Carey C. Giudici
Ready to become the kind of leader the world is looking for?

Miguel's Magic Map Takes You Anywhere!
Miguel’s Magic Map to Anywhere
1. Miguel and the Jaguar: Loving To Learn
2. Miguel and the Owl: A New Community of Two
3. Miguel and the Quetzal: A Community of Many
4. Miguel and the The Mayan Lady: Learning to Love
One of Five: Miguel Loves to Learn
Miguel lived in Yucatan near the jungle, near many animal friends.
One day Balam the jaguar heard Miguel crying under an African Tulip tree. His younger sister Laura
was trying to comfort him.
“What’s wrong, Miguelito?” asked Balam. “Why so unhappy?”
“I feel so stupid,” Miguel told the jaguar. “I can never answer my teacher’s questions, and he laughs
at me. I’m not going to school any more!”
The jaguar, smiling gently, asked his friend:
Leadership Is About Love

“Do you remember that spring day when you learned to ride a bicycle? Was it easy?”
Miguel couldn’t help smiling at the memory.
“No--but I didn’t give up. My brother ran alongside the bike to help me keep my balance. So before
coming in for dinner i could ride to the end of town!”
“How did you feel then?”
“I felt so smart and strong! My parents told me they were excited and proud too!”
Laura added. “I remember you wanted to ride it so much, you taught yourself how!”
Miguel looked happier, remembering.
“That’s right,” said Balam. “I'm sorry doing well in school is harder than riding a bike. Your classes
keep getting harder, and the teachers don’t help you as much.”
Miguel’s happy smile disappeared.

“Yeah. Some kids know all the answers and make me look stupid. I hate school!”
Balam thought for a moment.
“Do you think learning science or math could ever be as much fun as riding a bicycle?”
Miguel said quietly, “Maybe. I just don’t like being compared to the smart kids.”
Then the jaguar asked, “What’s your best subject at school again?”
“I love reading stories about people and adventures for history class.”
“Maybe we could nd someone to help you learn history, like your brother helped you ride a
bicycle.”
“But there’s only one school here, with just one history teacher!”
“See if Mr. Ruiz the computer teacher can help you with that.”

So after school the next day, Miguel visited Mr. Ruiz in his classroom. Eight of Miguel’s friends
were sitting at computers, excited about a small book their friend Lester was showing them. Lester
held up the book.
“Look--a book just about me! Mt. Ruiz just gave it to me. I’m a celebrity!”
Lester’s name was on the cover, and a picture of him on the cover page. He looked through the
book, all about Lester and his family, his heroes, and his favorite stu in the world It even
said Lester loved math.
“Maybe he will be an engineer some day,” it added
Then a student named Maria showed Miguel her book. The last page said she loved looking at the
stars every night.
But the book wasn’t Maria’s big news.
“Today Mr. Ruiz found a science teacher in Lima who wants to help me learn about astronomy!”
All the students were really excited. Then Mr. Ruiz asked Miguel,

“Would you like to join our SMILE group, Miguel? Everyone is writing a book, or nding someone
to help them learn their favorite subject, like Maria's new teacher in Peru.
“Each book helps them think about what they’re best at, so they'll nd a good mentor. They will do
better in that subject at school. And we hope someday they will be a teacher, an expert, or a project
developer.”
Miguel looked again at his schoolmates and realized they were all doing well at school in at least one
subject.
So he gave Mr. Ruiz his answer.
And when he got home and told the jaguar, Balam was very pleased.
Two of Five: Great mentors love to SMILE!
One month after that rst meeting, Miguel had a book of his own with pictures! Here’s how it
happened.
* He answered fteen questions that Mr. Ruiz gave him about his family, life and opinions.

* Miguel's answers were sent to a SMILE counselor in Guadalajara
* A custom book using Miguel’s answers was written and printed.
* Finally, Mr. Ruiz presented it to Miguel.
"Your book will help you make better decisions about future studies and possible career.
You'll have a network of people to support you forever!"
He ran home to show it to his family, Balam the jaguar and Bubo the Owl. He told them he was now a
“microeducator.” He was starting a special new school, just for him. His parents and sister were
beaming.
“You’re the rst person in our family to have a book written about them, and start a school!” his
mother said proudly.
“And next Mr. Ruiz will help me nd history teachers or experts from anywhere in the world. One of
them will help me become an historian some day!” he told them.
“That sounds exciting,” Bubo told him with a kindly hoot. “You’ll be an entrepreneur and
international scholar in no time!

“But how will you convince them to help you?” he asked.
Miguel thought about it. “I hope they'll be nice people and want to help.”
Bubo apped his wings. “You’ll need to make them want to help you learn. You need to nd mentors
with good advice and good hearts. Perhaps Mr. Ruiz has a plan to do that too.”
So the next day after school, Miguel walked to Mr. Ruiz’ o ce.
“That’s a very wise question!” Mr. Ruiz told Miguel. “The right experts and teachers will make your
personal online education a success, as long as you stay curious and generous.
“Next week our group will discuss how to ask people for their stories, and to help you educate
yourself. Would you and your sister like to join us?”
Miguel gave Mr. Ruiz a happy nod. He loved talking to his grandparents and teachers about history
and the world. Listening to stories was better than reading a history book!
“You'll know for sure that history is what you should study. And what kind of adult you enjoy talking
to the most.

“You'll nd people who want to teach you, so you'll enjoy good conversation, writing about yourself
for the book, and thinking of questions.
“They’ve probably never taught anyone as young as you. So everyone will be learning something!
“You and your friends can ask them anything. Pretend you’re a newspaper reporter. Later we’ll put
all the conversations into another book and introduce these interesting people. You and your friends
will be on the cover as authors, and nd a teacher or mentor!
“This is how we start helping you build your own education program!” Mr. Ruiz concluded.
“Start practicing with people you know. I’ll nd people you can talk to.”
When Miguel got home afterwards he washed the dinner dishes, swept o the sidewalk in front of
their home and nished his homework. Then he and Laura talked about questions they’d like to ask
people in their family, or teachers.
To teach them how to interview, Mr. Ruiz drew a caterpillar with ve sections on the whiteboard.
Sections were labeled “Who, What, Where, When, Why,” with an extra box at the bottom: “How.”
“First, ask questions that begin with these words. Everyone will ask one question. And give
everyone time to think of good answers.”
For the next 30 minutes, the students talked about what they could ask, how to be a good reporter,
and the importance of always being respectful and responsible.

The group would have conversation calls using Mr. Ruiz’ o ce computer.
Before every conversation, each students shared what question they planned to ask so it would be
interesting and respectful. Everything was written down, so everyone could go over it later with Mr
Ruiz. Their names would be on the cover, and they wanted to be sure it would be fun and interesting.
After interviewing two or three possible mentors, most students knew who they wanted to “adopt”
as a mentor or private teacher. They called the adult and agreed on a time to begin learning and
connecting.
To celebrate the exciting new relationships, Mr. Ruiz planned a public presentation in
which students would introduce their mentors to family, friends and supporters.
Three of Five: Miguel Builds a Community
One day Mr. Ruiz asked the students, “If you could have more of anything in your life, what would it
be? Think about it. Then I’ll tell you about our new project.”
Walking home, Miguel thought about what would make him feel safer and happier. Before going into
the house he called to his friend the Quetzal bird, who lived high in a tree. Miguel asked what he'd
like.
“To be more happy and healthy, I need more freedom to be myself,” Miguel told Quetzal.. “What
makes you feel free?”

The “world’s most beautiful bird” said,
“I love my community of friends in the jungle--animals, plants, and anything with a spirit they’ll
share. Since we all help each other I can take life as it comes. Todo tranquilo.”
Miguel had daydreamed in class about living around people who always wanted to help each other.
So he decided to make “a loving community” what he wanted more of in his life.
“Thanks amigo!” he said, running inside to do his chores..
Being in the group at Mr. Ruiz’s SMILE learning center made Miguel feel more intelligent,
optimistic, and eager to make the world a better place.
He felt especially good the next day, when Mr. Ruiz heard what Miguel wanted more of. The other
students had good ideas--money, better grades, nice clothes and friends. When Miguel explained
what he wanted, Mr Ruiz got excited and said,
“Ladies and Gentlemen, it just so happens that our next program will help build the community here
for people of all ages. Now we know who will lead our meetings--Miguel!”
Miguel was surprised. Just a month ago he’d been unhappy and ready to quit school. Now in charge
of his own education, he was leading a project for kids and adults!

A few minutes later Miguel asked Mr. Ruiz about the program.
* Everyone in the neighborhood would be invited to attend a potluck “cena”
* During supper, Miguel would ask for volunteers to share their talents and skills with everyone.
* They would write a skill or talent (plumbing etc) on the whiteboard, with their name
* Then anyone who needed help would set up a meeting
* Everyone would keep an “account” to show the hours they had donated or received
* The more hours someone donated, the more help they could ask for from neighbors
Mr. Ruiz’s assistant, Senora Sanchez, had an idea for Miguel.
“I need help putting mulch in my garden,” she told him.” Come help with that this Saturday, and I
will write a “+1” for one hour in your account book. Then some day if you need n hour’s help from
your friend Felipe on the computer, add a “+1” in his account book.”

And that’s just what happened!
Four of Five: All Together Now!
The day after Miguel led the rst meeting to build a new Service Exchange community, he made a
new friend.
There was a knock on his front door. It was an old Mayan lady holding a 10 peso coin.
“I have no skill or talent to contribute to your group,” she told him. “But I would like to help. Can
you use ten pesos?”
Instead of accepting the coin, Miguel asked her a question.
“Excuse me ma’am,” he said thoughtfully. “Didn’t I see you at our town’s Dia del Muerto esta last
month, selling handmade decorations?”
She looked surprised and pleased.

“Yes Miguel. I’ve made such decorations all my life. But I never sell many at the estas, so I can’t
a ord to contribute more. Being an old woman, I can’t do anything that young people would nd
useful. That makes me sad. In my culture we are taught to share everything we can with each other.”
“Thank you for wanting to help us, Mrs. Canul,” Miguel told her. “You and your Mayan
community have always welcomed people from other cultures, so I know you can help our SMILE
project.”
He got her address and promised to talk with her soon.
Before his group’s meeting with a local banker, he told Mr. Ruiz he would like to do something to
build a new community that would include their Mayan neighbors.
Mr. Ruiz thought that was a great idea. “They can teach the community about traditional culture and
society. It’s like a program I call ‘The Anchor.’”
“Mayans like Mrs. Canul have a culture and contributions that aren’t fully recognized and
appreciated,” Mr. Ruiz told Miguel. “As part of your SMILE education, you can become help them
explain and celebrate their unique culture. Is that something you’d like to do?”
Although Miguel was already busy with his schoolwork and other SMILE projects, he really liked the
idea.

“It won’t be hard for you,” Mr. Ruiz assured him. “You could even ask your sister Laura to get
involved. Then both of you will become what they call ‘Edupreneurs.’ You will develop small local
educational projects that build community and help people become happier and more ful lled.
That's the best kind of education!”
So Miguel went to see Senora Canul. She was excited to begin organizing Mayan community
members in “conversation club” meetings, so people of all ages could learn how to teach Mayan
culture, society and traditions.
Laura was proud to become a leader of this new project. Mr. Ruiz explained the project to her:
* Invite local Mayan community members to a reception
* Introduce the goals and simple Anchor procedures
* Each participant decides which Mayan song or poem, recipe, story, social activity, craft etc. meant
the most to them
* Student volunteers help would document what each person can share.
* They edit the document to make it as easy to understand and share as possible (if necessary, they
can nd a new SMILE mentor to help them)

* The stories or explanations will be put into a book and shared online
* At a booth in the local market, everyone will share what they can do and explain it. They can
produce and sell crafts too.
Five: Into the Future
How did the SMILE educational program change lives in a Mexican town?
It helped young people become leaders with lots of love--for themselves, their family and friends,
their community and their nation.
It brought people together to help each other and grow their circle of friends
It prepares young people to be leaders with vision and strong community spirit
It encourages everyone to grow a new mindset and be lifelong learners.

Miguel's Magic Map to Leadership

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