after considering what I’ve been doing as a career for the past 33 years I
as a career for the past 33 years I
as a career for the past 33 years I decided to take a very personal or you
decided to take a very personal or you
decided to take a very personal or you might say very individual view to
might say very individual view to
might say very individual view to today’s topic what have I been doing for
today’s topic what have I been doing for
today’s topic what have I been doing for the past 33 years you might ask
the past 33 years you might ask
the past 33 years you might ask basically spending a lot of time with
basically spending a lot of time with
basically spending a lot of time with teenagers maybe too much let’s admit it
teenagers maybe too much let’s admit it
teenagers maybe too much let’s admit it teenage years are the most fascinating
teenage years are the most fascinating
teenage years are the most fascinating time in life note I said the most
time in life note I said the most
time in life note I said the most fascinating they’re not necessarily the
fascinating they’re not necessarily the
fascinating they’re not necessarily the most fun or the easiest time of one’s
most fun or the easiest time of one’s
most fun or the easiest time of one’s life it’s a time when a person grows in
life it’s a time when a person grows in
life it’s a time when a person grows in many ways especially growing in
many ways especially growing in
many ways especially growing in independence gradually from being almost
independence gradually from being almost
independence gradually from being almost completely reliant on their parents to
completely reliant on their parents to
completely reliant on their parents to being young adults with their own
being young adults with their own
being young adults with their own responsibilities concerns and
responsibilities concerns and
responsibilities concerns and aspirations and ideas about what you
aspirations and ideas about what you
aspirations and ideas about what you want to pursue in life I thought about
want to pursue in life I thought about
want to pursue in life I thought about that for 33 years I’ve been continually
that for 33 years I’ve been continually
that for 33 years I’ve been continually immersed in a teenage landscape where
immersed in a teenage landscape where
immersed in a teenage landscape where young people are trying to figure out
young people are trying to figure out
young people are trying to figure out what they consider to be important to
what they consider to be important to
what they consider to be important to themselves not what’s important to their
themselves not what’s important to their
themselves not what’s important to their family not what’s important to their
family not what’s important to their
family not what’s important to their friends but it was important to them
friends but it was important to them
friends but it was important to them themselves as individuals
themselves as individuals
themselves as individuals thus the starting point for my thoughts
thus the starting point for my thoughts
thus the starting point for my thoughts on today’s theme is the fact that I have
on today’s theme is the fact that I have
on today’s theme is the fact that I have been living a very large chunk of my
been living a very large chunk of my
been living a very large chunk of my life and what we might call teen land
life and what we might call teen land
life and what we might call teen land imagine that almost continuously for 33
imagine that almost continuously for 33
imagine that almost continuously for 33 years I cannot help but make a few
years I cannot help but make a few
years I cannot help but make a few observations over the years so what are
observations over the years so what are
observations over the years so what are some things that young people may decide
some things that young people may decide
some things that young people may decide are worthy for pursuing in life I’m just
are worthy for pursuing in life I’m just
are worthy for pursuing in life I’m just throwing a few up on the screen here no
throwing a few up on the screen here no
throwing a few up on the screen here no particular order and I’ve searched hard
particular order and I’ve searched hard
particular order and I’ve searched hard and wide to come up with things mostly
and wide to come up with things mostly
and wide to come up with things mostly intangibles which we might consider to
intangibles which we might consider to
intangibles which we might consider to be reasonable and valid life pursuits
be reasonable and valid life pursuits
be reasonable and valid life pursuits teens when given the chance want to have
teens when given the chance want to have
teens when given the chance want to have a positive impact on the world and
a positive impact on the world and
a positive impact on the world and others that’s one of my observations
others that’s one of my observations
others that’s one of my observations I’ve made in the last 33 years but it’s
I’ve made in the last 33 years but it’s
I’ve made in the last 33 years but it’s not been my experience that young people
not been my experience that young people
not been my experience that young people start with some kind of abstract list
start with some kind of abstract list
start with some kind of abstract list like this and start considering their
like this and start considering their
like this and start considering their options teenage years are did I already
options teenage years are did I already
options teenage years are did I already say fascinating yes
say fascinating yes
say fascinating yes teenage years are chaotic teenage years
teenage years are chaotic teenage years
teenage years are chaotic teenage years are exhilarating nerve-wracking not just
are exhilarating nerve-wracking not just
are exhilarating nerve-wracking not just for them but
for them but
for them but sometimes for teachers do it’s more my
sometimes for teachers do it’s more my
sometimes for teachers do it’s more my view that these early years are much
view that these early years are much
view that these early years are much more about self-development
more about self-development
more about self-development figuring things out making mistakes
figuring things out making mistakes
figuring things out making mistakes exploring and just living life and when
exploring and just living life and when
exploring and just living life and when living life things happen believe it or
living life things happen believe it or
living life things happen believe it or not I once was a teenager and when I was
not I once was a teenager and when I was
not I once was a teenager and when I was a teenager this happened yes I broke my
a teenager this happened yes I broke my
a teenager this happened yes I broke my right hand especially specifically my
right hand especially specifically my
right hand especially specifically my fifth metacarpal bone not a terrible
fifth metacarpal bone not a terrible
fifth metacarpal bone not a terrible thing but it did throw me for a bit of a
thing but it did throw me for a bit of a
thing but it did throw me for a bit of a loop this is often called a boxer’s
loop this is often called a boxer’s
loop this is often called a boxer’s fracture because it’s susceptible of
fracture because it’s susceptible of
fracture because it’s susceptible of being broken when throwing a punch no I
being broken when throwing a punch no I
being broken when throwing a punch no I did not punch someone
did not punch someone
did not punch someone I broke I broke it playing American
I broke I broke it playing American
I broke I broke it playing American football on my high school team when I
football on my high school team when I
football on my high school team when I was in the tenth grade but it was a
was in the tenth grade but it was a
was in the tenth grade but it was a lucky break as I put up there why you
lucky break as I put up there why you
lucky break as I put up there why you might ask especially since it was my
might ask especially since it was my
might ask especially since it was my right hand and as you can see I am
right hand and as you can see I am
right hand and as you can see I am right-handed although I did continue to
right-handed although I did continue to
right-handed although I did continue to play American football for several years
play American football for several years
play American football for several years the sport I enjoyed the most and still
the sport I enjoyed the most and still
the sport I enjoyed the most and still is his basketball by far after my right
is his basketball by far after my right
is his basketball by far after my right hand was broken a cast that looks
hand was broken a cast that looks
hand was broken a cast that looks something like this one was put on my
something like this one was put on my
something like this one was put on my right arm I was able to put move my
right arm I was able to put move my
right arm I was able to put move my thumb but the other four fingers of my
thumb but the other four fingers of my
thumb but the other four fingers of my hand were contained in the cast I had
hand were contained in the cast I had
hand were contained in the cast I had absolutely no use of my right hand at
absolutely no use of my right hand at
absolutely no use of my right hand at all remember now I was in 10th grade in
all remember now I was in 10th grade in
all remember now I was in 10th grade in the middle of school everyone was
the middle of school everyone was
the middle of school everyone was feeling very sorry for me I was not I
feeling very sorry for me I was not I
feeling very sorry for me I was not I was excited by the challenge teach
was excited by the challenge teach
was excited by the challenge teach myself how to do everything with my left
myself how to do everything with my left
myself how to do everything with my left hand I quickly learned how to use a fork
hand I quickly learned how to use a fork
hand I quickly learned how to use a fork knife and spoon of course one has
knife and spoon of course one has
knife and spoon of course one has priorities
priorities
priorities after some effort I even figured out how
after some effort I even figured out how
after some effort I even figured out how to write reasonably well with my left
to write reasonably well with my left
to write reasonably well with my left hand this was way before the days of
hand this was way before the days of
hand this was way before the days of personal computers so I had to do all my
personal computers so I had to do all my
personal computers so I had to do all my schoolwork by hand so again why a lucky
schoolwork by hand so again why a lucky
schoolwork by hand so again why a lucky break well like I said I really really
break well like I said I really really
break well like I said I really really liked basketball and competition then
liked basketball and competition then
liked basketball and competition then the team was tough here’s my tenth grade
the team was tough here’s my tenth grade
the team was tough here’s my tenth grade team in 1975 that’s me in the upper left
team in 1975 that’s me in the upper left
team in 1975 that’s me in the upper left hand corner the real blast from the past
hand corner the real blast from the past
hand corner the real blast from the past competition team was tough yes you could
competition team was tough yes you could
competition team was tough yes you could tell these were the days of long hair
tell these were the days of long hair
tell these were the days of long hair everybody everybody except the coach
everybody everybody except the coach
everybody everybody except the coach perhaps but I can remember it was like
perhaps but I can remember it was like
perhaps but I can remember it was like yesterday I set myself the challenge to
yesterday I set myself the challenge to
yesterday I set myself the challenge to do all the things that I’d done been
do all the things that I’d done been
do all the things that I’d done been doing with my right hand in basketball
doing with my right hand in basketball
doing with my right hand in basketball like shooting and dribbling and passing
like shooting and dribbling and passing
like shooting and dribbling and passing but now I was gonna do them with my left
but now I was gonna do them with my left
but now I was gonna do them with my left hand I was very fortunate that my coach
hand I was very fortunate that my coach
hand I was very fortunate that my coach let me continue to participate in
let me continue to participate in
let me continue to participate in practice sessions of course not in games
practice sessions of course not in games
practice sessions of course not in games because I had that big heavy cast in my
because I had that big heavy cast in my
because I had that big heavy cast in my hand well my arm and hand were in it
hand well my arm and hand were in it
hand well my arm and hand were in it this leads to a second lucky break when
this leads to a second lucky break when
this leads to a second lucky break when just a few days before I was supposed to
just a few days before I was supposed to
just a few days before I was supposed to get the cast off you might start
get the cast off you might start
get the cast off you might start wondering about my intelligence now we
wondering about my intelligence now we
wondering about my intelligence now we were doing layups in practice and I
were doing layups in practice and I
were doing layups in practice and I caught my cast in the net re breaking my
caught my cast in the net re breaking my
caught my cast in the net re breaking my hand
hand
hand doubling the length of time I had my
doubling the length of time I had my
doubling the length of time I had my cast a total of nearly three months but
cast a total of nearly three months but
cast a total of nearly three months but by the time the cast came off you can
by the time the cast came off you can
by the time the cast came off you can guess what had happened I was very good
guess what had happened I was very good
guess what had happened I was very good with my left hand in fact I was
with my left hand in fact I was
with my left hand in fact I was ambidextrous especially dribbling
ambidextrous especially dribbling
ambidextrous especially dribbling shooting and passing this had an
shooting and passing this had an
shooting and passing this had an enormous impact on my development as a
enormous impact on my development as a
enormous impact on my development as a basketball player two years later in my
basketball player two years later in my
basketball player two years later in my final year of secondary school in 1977
final year of secondary school in 1977
final year of secondary school in 1977 those are days when I could jump I was
those are days when I could jump I was
those are days when I could jump I was selected as one of the top high school
selected as one of the top high school
selected as one of the top high school basketball players in my state and some
basketball players in my state and some
basketball players in my state and some college coaches even approached me about
college coaches even approached me about
college coaches even approached me about playing at their school I could not
playing at their school I could not
playing at their school I could not believe it although I truly enjoy
believe it although I truly enjoy
believe it although I truly enjoy playing sports I’d always known the most
playing sports I’d always known the most
playing sports I’d always known the most important thing was my academic studies
important thing was my academic studies
important thing was my academic studies nevertheless my talents as a basketball
nevertheless my talents as a basketball
nevertheless my talents as a basketball player the big impact on my decision
player the big impact on my decision
player the big impact on my decision where to attend University which then
where to attend University which then
where to attend University which then also had a major influence on my
also had a major influence on my
also had a major influence on my decision to pursue a career in teaching
decision to pursue a career in teaching
decision to pursue a career in teaching I played basketball for four years at
I played basketball for four years at
I played basketball for four years at university and my participation in
university and my participation in
university and my participation in university sports led to me being led to
university sports led to me being led to
university sports led to me being led to me being awarded an academic scholarship
me being awarded an academic scholarship
me being awarded an academic scholarship which helped me earn my teaching
which helped me earn my teaching
which helped me earn my teaching qualification and start my master’s
qualification and start my master’s
qualification and start my master’s degree in mathematics education you
degree in mathematics education you
degree in mathematics education you could say that breaking my hand had a
could say that breaking my hand had a
could say that breaking my hand had a sort of rippling effect on my life I
sort of rippling effect on my life I
sort of rippling effect on my life I wondered about other people’s lucky
wondered about other people’s lucky
wondered about other people’s lucky breaks at least that of some may be
breaks at least that of some may be
breaks at least that of some may be famous people some that you may
famous people some that you may
famous people some that you may recognize here’s Jennifer Lawrence
recognize here’s Jennifer Lawrence
recognize here’s Jennifer Lawrence Jennifer Lawrence had leaked rubble
Jennifer Lawrence had leaked rubble
Jennifer Lawrence had leaked rubble credible lucky break when she was 14
credible lucky break when she was 14
credible lucky break when she was 14 years old visiting New York City on a
years old visiting New York City on a
years old visiting New York City on a holiday with her family a talent scout
holiday with her family a talent scout
holiday with her family a talent scout just walked up to her on the street took
just walked up to her on the street took
just walked up to her on the street took her picture and this led to additions
her picture and this led to additions
her picture and this led to additions and within two years she was living in
and within two years she was living in
and within two years she was living in Los Angeles and starring in a TV sitcom
Los Angeles and starring in a TV sitcom
Los Angeles and starring in a TV sitcom and the rest is history
and the rest is history
and the rest is history whoops all right Leonard Euler made me
whoops all right Leonard Euler made me
whoops all right Leonard Euler made me famous to some of you but certainly
famous to some of you but certainly
famous to some of you but certainly famous to me
famous to me
famous to me he’s prayer personal hero of mine often
he’s prayer personal hero of mine often
he’s prayer personal hero of mine often considered the most accomplished
considered the most accomplished
considered the most accomplished mathematician of all time growing up in
mathematician of all time growing up in
mathematician of all time growing up in a quiet area of Switzerland in the early
a quiet area of Switzerland in the early
a quiet area of Switzerland in the early 18th century
18th century
18th century he had the incredible good fortune that
he had the incredible good fortune that
he had the incredible good fortune that his father just happened to be very good
his father just happened to be very good
his father just happened to be very good friends with Johann Bernoulli the most
friends with Johann Bernoulli the most
friends with Johann Bernoulli the most important mathematician in Europe at
important mathematician in Europe at
important mathematician in Europe at that time Bernoulli helped him help
that time Bernoulli helped him help
that time Bernoulli helped him help tutor Euler in math
tutor Euler in math
tutor Euler in math he was very young you’ve already seen
he was very young you’ve already seen
he was very young you’ve already seen him here early of his political career
him here early of his political career
him here early of his political career Barack Obama was a struggling local
Barack Obama was a struggling local
Barack Obama was a struggling local politician in the state of Illinois
politician in the state of Illinois
politician in the state of Illinois there was a crucial decision that was
there was a crucial decision that was
there was a crucial decision that was determined literally by drawing one of
determined literally by drawing one of
determined literally by drawing one of two names out of a hat a democrat or
two names out of a hat a democrat or
two names out of a hat a democrat or republican his luck had it that the
republican his luck had it that the
republican his luck had it that the democratic name was chosen it had an a
democratic name was chosen it had an a
democratic name was chosen it had an a profound effect on Obama’s political
profound effect on Obama’s political
profound effect on Obama’s political career and as a result one of the
career and as a result one of the
career and as a result one of the results he was elected to the US Senate
results he was elected to the US Senate
results he was elected to the US Senate in 2004 which then set him up for his
in 2004 which then set him up for his
in 2004 which then set him up for his first run for presidency in 2008 so is
first run for presidency in 2008 so is
first run for presidency in 2008 so is the point I’m making that you need to
the point I’m making that you need to
the point I’m making that you need to have a major stroke of good fortune
have a major stroke of good fortune
have a major stroke of good fortune ie luck in order to achieve something
ie luck in order to achieve something
ie luck in order to achieve something well it seemed that way wouldn’t it but
well it seemed that way wouldn’t it but
well it seemed that way wouldn’t it but know life is never really that simple
know life is never really that simple
know life is never really that simple and straightforward now did you ever
and straightforward now did you ever
and straightforward now did you ever think you have to see these three people
think you have to see these three people
think you have to see these three people up in one slide at one time
so a quick view under under the surface
so a quick view under under the surface reveals far more Jennifer Lawrence
reveals far more Jennifer Lawrence
reveals far more Jennifer Lawrence before being discovered in New York at
before being discovered in New York at
before being discovered in New York at age 14 Jennifer Lawrence had sought out
age 14 Jennifer Lawrence had sought out
age 14 Jennifer Lawrence had sought out opportunities to perform in church plays
opportunities to perform in church plays
opportunities to perform in church plays and school musicals of her own
and school musicals of her own
and school musicals of her own initiative she was also a very good
initiative she was also a very good
initiative she was also a very good student worked hard to graduate two
student worked hard to graduate two
student worked hard to graduate two years early from high school before her
years early from high school before her
years early from high school before her parents would agree to her to move to
parents would agree to her to move to
parents would agree to her to move to Los Angeles Leonard Euler his early
Los Angeles Leonard Euler his early
Los Angeles Leonard Euler his early education mathematics was mostly down to
education mathematics was mostly down to
education mathematics was mostly down to himself taking initiative to read
himself taking initiative to read
himself taking initiative to read mathematics books at a young age on his
mathematics books at a young age on his
mathematics books at a young age on his own in order finished an initial degree
own in order finished an initial degree
own in order finished an initial degree in philosophy to satisfy his father’s
in philosophy to satisfy his father’s
in philosophy to satisfy his father’s best wish his father’s wishes before
best wish his father’s wishes before
best wish his father’s wishes before switching to mathematics years before
switching to mathematics years before
switching to mathematics years before Barack Obama ran for public office he
Barack Obama ran for public office he
Barack Obama ran for public office he worked as a community organizer in
worked as a community organizer in
worked as a community organizer in Chicago he was a standout student at
Chicago he was a standout student at
Chicago he was a standout student at Harvard Law School and then worked as a
Harvard Law School and then worked as a
Harvard Law School and then worked as a civil rights lawyer and a law professor
civil rights lawyer and a law professor
civil rights lawyer and a law professor in Chicago for several years so he most
in Chicago for several years so he most
in Chicago for several years so he most definitely put in some significant
definitely put in some significant
definitely put in some significant preparation in order to be a successful
preparation in order to be a successful
preparation in order to be a successful politician well what about me what about
politician well what about me what about
politician well what about me what about my lucky break well my response to
my lucky break well my response to
my lucky break well my response to breaking my right hand certainly did
breaking my right hand certainly did
breaking my right hand certainly did have something to do with my development
have something to do with my development
have something to do with my development as a basketball player
as a basketball player
as a basketball player but much more of a factor was where I
but much more of a factor was where I
but much more of a factor was where I lived and who I lived with from the age
lived and who I lived with from the age
lived and who I lived with from the age of 11 to 17 I was very fortunate to live
of 11 to 17 I was very fortunate to live
of 11 to 17 I was very fortunate to live in this house with my large family and
in this house with my large family and
in this house with my large family and my six siblings and we had a great great
my six siblings and we had a great great
my six siblings and we had a great great basketball court right there on a nice
basketball court right there on a nice
basketball court right there on a nice wide driveway and I always had someone
wide driveway and I always had someone
wide driveway and I always had someone to play with there’s even a basketball
to play with there’s even a basketball
to play with there’s even a basketball court there to this day that’s from
court there to this day that’s from
court there to this day that’s from Google Streetview
Google Streetview
Google Streetview two years ago
so I was lucky in many ways there’s no
so I was lucky in many ways there’s no doubt that some element of good fortune
doubt that some element of good fortune
doubt that some element of good fortune can often have a significant long-term
can often have a significant long-term
can often have a significant long-term impact on a person’s life even something
impact on a person’s life even something
impact on a person’s life even something which might seem in consequence all the
which might seem in consequence all the
which might seem in consequence all the time like breaking a hand but it’s not
time like breaking a hand but it’s not
time like breaking a hand but it’s not just pure luck and it would be silly for
just pure luck and it would be silly for
just pure luck and it would be silly for someone just to wait for a lucky break
someone just to wait for a lucky break
someone just to wait for a lucky break to come along that won’t work
to come along that won’t work
to come along that won’t work to borrow a phrase often attributed to
to borrow a phrase often attributed to
to borrow a phrase often attributed to the famous Roman philosopher and writer
the famous Roman philosopher and writer
the famous Roman philosopher and writer Seneca the younger luck is what happens
Seneca the younger luck is what happens
Seneca the younger luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity if
when preparation meets opportunity if
when preparation meets opportunity if you are sufficiently prepared when an
you are sufficiently prepared when an
you are sufficiently prepared when an opportunity arises it’s possible to make
opportunity arises it’s possible to make
opportunity arises it’s possible to make your own luck and it might even help you
your own luck and it might even help you
your own luck and it might even help you help you a little toward figuring out
help you a little toward figuring out
help you a little toward figuring out what you wish to pursue in life testing
what you wish to pursue in life testing
what you wish to pursue in life testing out different opportunities is immensely
out different opportunities is immensely
out different opportunities is immensely helpful in forming your ambitions having
helpful in forming your ambitions having
helpful in forming your ambitions having been a teacher and inhabiting teen land
been a teacher and inhabiting teen land
been a teacher and inhabiting teen land for so long I do believe there’s a large
for so long I do believe there’s a large
for so long I do believe there’s a large element of truth in this statement to me
element of truth in this statement to me
element of truth in this statement to me the key words are preparation and
the key words are preparation and
the key words are preparation and opportunity strive to take advantage of
opportunity strive to take advantage of
opportunity strive to take advantage of opportunities for any kind of learning
opportunities for any kind of learning
opportunities for any kind of learning when they come along but perhaps the
when they come along but perhaps the
when they come along but perhaps the most important part of this message is
most important part of this message is
most important part of this message is preparation preparation can mean a wide
preparation preparation can mean a wide
preparation preparation can mean a wide range of things but you wouldn’t be
range of things but you wouldn’t be
range of things but you wouldn’t be surprised to hear me say that I think
surprised to hear me say that I think
surprised to hear me say that I think the most important type of preparation
the most important type of preparation
the most important type of preparation that will help you take full advantage
that will help you take full advantage
that will help you take full advantage of available opportunities is academic
of available opportunities is academic
of available opportunities is academic preparation and when I use the phrase
preparation and when I use the phrase
preparation and when I use the phrase academic preparation I am meaning more
academic preparation I am meaning more
academic preparation I am meaning more than just the school day traditional
than just the school day traditional
than just the school day traditional school works work sorry
school works work sorry
school works work sorry traditional school work tends to focus
traditional school work tends to focus
traditional school work tends to focus on studying and regurgitating other
on studying and regurgitating other
on studying and regurgitating other people’s ideas although this is an
people’s ideas although this is an
people’s ideas although this is an important part of your education in my
important part of your education in my
important part of your education in my opinion and that of many others there
opinion and that of many others there
opinion and that of many others there needs to be more to it than just that
needs to be more to it than just that
needs to be more to it than just that don’t shy away from learning
don’t shy away from learning
don’t shy away from learning opportunities wherever they may her you
opportunities wherever they may her you
opportunities wherever they may her you don’t need any kind of grand plan with a
don’t need any kind of grand plan with a
don’t need any kind of grand plan with a predetermined list of instructions you
predetermined list of instructions you
predetermined list of instructions you don’t know what’s going to have a long
don’t know what’s going to have a long
don’t know what’s going to have a long ripple through your life and as you’re
ripple through your life and as you’re
ripple through your life and as you’re making your own luck and making your way
making your own luck and making your way
making your own luck and making your way through your teenage years and beyond
through your teenage years and beyond
through your teenage years and beyond you will consciously and unconsciously
you will consciously and unconsciously
you will consciously and unconsciously gradually prioritize what you feel is
gradually prioritize what you feel is
gradually prioritize what you feel is most important to pursue in life some
most important to pursue in life some
most important to pursue in life some may be from this list it’s not for me or
may be from this list it’s not for me or
may be from this list it’s not for me or anyone else to tell you
anyone else to tell you
anyone else to tell you is most important to pursue in my life
is most important to pursue in my life
is most important to pursue in my life and certainly it was not a smooth
and certainly it was not a smooth
and certainly it was not a smooth process I chose to fight or prioritize
process I chose to fight or prioritize
process I chose to fight or prioritize on success helping others challenge
on success helping others challenge
on success helping others challenge myself truth and knowledge so while
myself truth and knowledge so while
myself truth and knowledge so while going through this prioritizing process
going through this prioritizing process
going through this prioritizing process endeavor to get really good at something
endeavor to get really good at something
endeavor to get really good at something something that helps you but can also
something that helps you but can also
something that helps you but can also help others in some way small or big
help others in some way small or big
help others in some way small or big early on in my career I decided I wanted
early on in my career I decided I wanted
early on in my career I decided I wanted to challenge myself to be the best
to challenge myself to be the best
to challenge myself to be the best mathematics mathematics teacher I could
mathematics mathematics teacher I could
mathematics mathematics teacher I could possibly believe yes that’s true that’s
possibly believe yes that’s true that’s
possibly believe yes that’s true that’s what I wanted to do that required
what I wanted to do that required
what I wanted to do that required pursuing truth and knowledge and
pursuing truth and knowledge and
pursuing truth and knowledge and pursuing a certain measure of success
pursuing a certain measure of success
pursuing a certain measure of success but not one that would be measured in
but not one that would be measured in
but not one that would be measured in monetary terms or possessions I knew
monetary terms or possessions I knew
monetary terms or possessions I knew that from the beginning I have
that from the beginning I have
that from the beginning I have absolutely no regrets whatsoever about
absolutely no regrets whatsoever about
absolutely no regrets whatsoever about choosing to be and remain a classroom
choosing to be and remain a classroom
choosing to be and remain a classroom teacher it has many intangible rewards
teacher it has many intangible rewards
teacher it has many intangible rewards although you notice that fame power and
although you notice that fame power and
although you notice that fame power and wealth are no longer on my short list
wealth are no longer on my short list
wealth are no longer on my short list I’ve been very fortunate to use my
I’ve been very fortunate to use my
I’ve been very fortunate to use my expertise in teaching and specifically a
expertise in teaching and specifically a
expertise in teaching and specifically a mathematics teaching to help others not
mathematics teaching to help others not
mathematics teaching to help others not just my own students but also other
just my own students but also other
just my own students but also other students and teachers around the world
students and teachers around the world
students and teachers around the world through helping to write some successful
through helping to write some successful
through helping to write some successful mathematics textbooks and delivering
mathematics textbooks and delivering
mathematics textbooks and delivering valuable teacher training I have found
valuable teacher training I have found
valuable teacher training I have found it very fulfilling and meaningful it’s
it very fulfilling and meaningful it’s
it very fulfilling and meaningful it’s worth saying that not all breaks are
worth saying that not all breaks are
worth saying that not all breaks are lucky breaks six years ago while playing
lucky breaks six years ago while playing
lucky breaks six years ago while playing basketball yes I keep playing much
basketball yes I keep playing much
basketball yes I keep playing much disagreed with my wife
disagreed with my wife
disagreed with my wife I brought my right hand again in
I brought my right hand again in
I brought my right hand again in precisely the same place I did when I
precisely the same place I did when I
precisely the same place I did when I was 16 it occurred right in the middle
was 16 it occurred right in the middle
was 16 it occurred right in the middle of writing one of our textbooks so it
of writing one of our textbooks so it
of writing one of our textbooks so it was definitely not a lucky break in
was definitely not a lucky break in
was definitely not a lucky break in closing it’s important I think as youth
closing it’s important I think as youth
closing it’s important I think as youth to enjoy your youth that’s what it’s for
to enjoy your youth that’s what it’s for
to enjoy your youth that’s what it’s for the good breaks and even the bad breaks
the good breaks and even the bad breaks
the good breaks and even the bad breaks all the bewildering and exhilarating
all the bewildering and exhilarating
all the bewildering and exhilarating changes you will go through but make the
changes you will go through but make the
changes you will go through but make the effort to prepare yourself for what
effort to prepare yourself for what
effort to prepare yourself for what might happen in your life
might happen in your life
might happen in your life prepare yourself in school and just as
prepare yourself in school and just as
prepare yourself in school and just as importantly outside of school grab
importantly outside of school grab
importantly outside of school grab opportunities when they come by and take
opportunities when they come by and take
opportunities when they come by and take the time and effort to get good at
the time and effort to get good at
the time and effort to get good at something that is valuable something
something that is valuable something
something that is valuable something that is valuable to you yourself and
that is valuable to you yourself and
that is valuable to you yourself and others thank you
others thank you
others thank you you
”
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