Educators, be protectors of dreams! | Mike Ludwick | TEDxXiguanED

[Applause]

[Applause] educators are the servants of the

educators are the servants of the

educators are the servants of the humanities it is our job to transfer the

humanities it is our job to transfer the

humanities it is our job to transfer the accumulated values lesson skills and

accumulated values lesson skills and

accumulated values lesson skills and knowledge of our ancestors to the next

knowledge of our ancestors to the next

knowledge of our ancestors to the next generation but more importantly we’re

generation but more importantly we’re

generation but more importantly we’re also the servants of humanity and in

also the servants of humanity and in

also the servants of humanity and in many cases were the last line of defense

many cases were the last line of defense

many cases were the last line of defense for some of humanity’s most valuable

for some of humanity’s most valuable

for some of humanity’s most valuable natural resources play imagination

natural resources play imagination

natural resources play imagination creativity hope so today I want to

creativity hope so today I want to

creativity hope so today I want to challenge all of you but especially the

challenge all of you but especially the

challenge all of you but especially the educators among us to be a protector of

educators among us to be a protector of

educators among us to be a protector of those natural resources of humanity be a

those natural resources of humanity be a

those natural resources of humanity be a protector of the dreamer but what is the

protector of the dreamer but what is the

protector of the dreamer but what is the dreamer well I started thinking about

dreamer well I started thinking about

dreamer well I started thinking about the concept of the dreamer a few years

the concept of the dreamer a few years

the concept of the dreamer a few years ago when I was asked to talk about

ago when I was asked to talk about

ago when I was asked to talk about creativity and explain what is

creativity and explain what is

creativity and explain what is creativity and I got into a whole line

creativity and I got into a whole line

creativity and I got into a whole line of thinking about the right side of the

of thinking about the right side of the

of thinking about the right side of the brain and a lot of different aspects of

brain and a lot of different aspects of

brain and a lot of different aspects of our intelligence that exists in a

our intelligence that exists in a

our intelligence that exists in a different realm than our thinking mind I

different realm than our thinking mind I

different realm than our thinking mind I found that one of the most helpful ways

found that one of the most helpful ways

found that one of the most helpful ways for me and for others to engage with

for me and for others to engage with

for me and for others to engage with this topic was by looking at a list of

this topic was by looking at a list of

this topic was by looking at a list of contrasts a lists of opposites

contrasts a lists of opposites

contrasts a lists of opposites I developed names for these AI

I developed names for these AI

I developed names for these AI identities the thinker kind of the left

identities the thinker kind of the left

identities the thinker kind of the left side logical side and the dreamer so now

side logical side and the dreamer so now

side logical side and the dreamer so now to introduce the dreamer we’re going to

to introduce the dreamer we’re going to

to introduce the dreamer we’re going to look at some opposites of the thinker

look at some opposites of the thinker

look at some opposites of the thinker and the dreamer if the thinker were

and the dreamer if the thinker were

and the dreamer if the thinker were reason the dreamer would be creativity

reason the dreamer would be creativity

reason the dreamer would be creativity if the thinker were conscious the

if the thinker were conscious the

if the thinker were conscious the dreamer exists in the unconscious state

dreamer exists in the unconscious state

dreamer exists in the unconscious state the thinker is the

the thinker is the

the thinker is the the dreamer is the body the thinker is

the dreamer is the body the thinker is

the dreamer is the body the thinker is the head the dreamer the heart the

the head the dreamer the heart the

the head the dreamer the heart the thinker is synthetic it’s made by man

thinker is synthetic it’s made by man

thinker is synthetic it’s made by man it’s created by us whereas the dreamer

it’s created by us whereas the dreamer

it’s created by us whereas the dreamer is organic it exists naturally outside

is organic it exists naturally outside

is organic it exists naturally outside of us and not something that we can even

of us and not something that we can even

of us and not something that we can even have an impact on the thinker is

have an impact on the thinker is

have an impact on the thinker is efficient the dreamer by definition is

efficient the dreamer by definition is

efficient the dreamer by definition is inefficient the thinker is predictable

inefficient the thinker is predictable

inefficient the thinker is predictable follows his schedule understands time

follows his schedule understands time

follows his schedule understands time whereas the dreamer is chaotic the

whereas the dreamer is chaotic the

whereas the dreamer is chaotic the thinker is planned the dreamer is

thinker is planned the dreamer is

thinker is planned the dreamer is spontaneous the thinker is work and the

spontaneous the thinker is work and the

spontaneous the thinker is work and the dreamer is play there are a few others

dreamer is play there are a few others

dreamer is play there are a few others the thinker

the thinker

the thinker likes to research and seek the idea

likes to research and seek the idea

likes to research and seek the idea whereas for the dreamer it’s all about

whereas for the dreamer it’s all about

whereas for the dreamer it’s all about intuition and the idea just comes to you

intuition and the idea just comes to you

intuition and the idea just comes to you the thinker will revise a concept the

the thinker will revise a concept the

the thinker will revise a concept the dreamer will invent a new one the

dreamer will invent a new one the

dreamer will invent a new one the thinker will memorize the dreamer will

thinker will memorize the dreamer will

thinker will memorize the dreamer will inquire the thinker is controlled the

inquire the thinker is controlled the

inquire the thinker is controlled the dreamer is free the thinker will decide

dreamer is free the thinker will decide

dreamer is free the thinker will decide the dreamer will explore the thinker

the dreamer will explore the thinker

the dreamer will explore the thinker realizes comes to a realization while

realizes comes to a realization while

realizes comes to a realization while the dreamer imagines the thinker

the dreamer imagines the thinker

the dreamer imagines the thinker concentrates while the dreamer daydreams

concentrates while the dreamer daydreams

concentrates while the dreamer daydreams the realm of the dreamer is like an open

the realm of the dreamer is like an open

the realm of the dreamer is like an open unlimited field a fertile soil where any

unlimited field a fertile soil where any

unlimited field a fertile soil where any idea can grow where there is an

idea can grow where there is an

idea can grow where there is an abundance of imagination and creative

abundance of imagination and creative

abundance of imagination and creative energy and all we have to do is tap into

energy and all we have to do is tap into

energy and all we have to do is tap into it the thing is the realm of the dreamer

it the thing is the realm of the dreamer

it the thing is the realm of the dreamer well it is outside of our conscious mind

well it is outside of our conscious mind

well it is outside of our conscious mind and it cannot coexist with the thinker

and it cannot coexist with the thinker

and it cannot coexist with the thinker the dreamers rooted in joy and passion

the dreamers rooted in joy and passion

the dreamers rooted in joy and passion and freedom so what it needs if we use

and freedom so what it needs if we use

and freedom so what it needs if we use our analogy of a big feel this good soil

our analogy of a big feel this good soil

our analogy of a big feel this good soil and what is good soil for the dreamer

and what is good soil for the dreamer

and what is good soil for the dreamer it’s a safe space it’s

it’s a safe space it’s

it’s a safe space it’s I swear I can be me I can try something

I swear I can be me I can try something

I swear I can be me I can try something that I don’t know whether it’ll work or

that I don’t know whether it’ll work or

that I don’t know whether it’ll work or not and I can trust that I’m gonna be

not and I can trust that I’m gonna be

not and I can trust that I’m gonna be able to do that and be supported as me

able to do that and be supported as me

able to do that and be supported as me the water in this field that nurtures

the water in this field that nurtures

the water in this field that nurtures the plants that’s just acceptance when I

the plants that’s just acceptance when I

the plants that’s just acceptance when I share an idea a thought and expression I

share an idea a thought and expression I

share an idea a thought and expression I feel like in this space I’m gonna be

feel like in this space I’m gonna be

feel like in this space I’m gonna be accepted and that’s gonna be accepted I

accepted and that’s gonna be accepted I

accepted and that’s gonna be accepted I also know I’m gonna receive

also know I’m gonna receive

also know I’m gonna receive encouragement and that’s the sunshine

encouragement and that’s the sunshine

encouragement and that’s the sunshine that makes the plants flourish and

that makes the plants flourish and

that makes the plants flourish and finally the fertilizer on the field

finally the fertilizer on the field

finally the fertilizer on the field that’s movement and momentum many times

that’s movement and momentum many times

that’s movement and momentum many times in our creative state we move our body

in our creative state we move our body

in our creative state we move our body to get an idea going I love to get my

to get an idea going I love to get my

to get an idea going I love to get my students out of their mind and into

students out of their mind and into

students out of their mind and into their body because once we move the

their body because once we move the

their body because once we move the creative ideas really start to flow but

creative ideas really start to flow but

creative ideas really start to flow but the dreamer is joyous and abundant as it

the dreamer is joyous and abundant as it

the dreamer is joyous and abundant as it is in its unconscious world cannot exist

is in its unconscious world cannot exist

is in its unconscious world cannot exist around fear self-consciousness and

around fear self-consciousness and

around fear self-consciousness and negative energy and there are several

negative energy and there are several

negative energy and there are several things I’m gonna highlight four that are

things I’m gonna highlight four that are

things I’m gonna highlight four that are very common parts of our society and our

very common parts of our society and our

very common parts of our society and our educational system that kill the dreamer

educational system that kill the dreamer

educational system that kill the dreamer that absolutely make it so the dreamer

that absolutely make it so the dreamer

that absolutely make it so the dreamer cannot exist one is hierarchy hierarchy

cannot exist one is hierarchy hierarchy

cannot exist one is hierarchy hierarchy means the best idea comes from the top

means the best idea comes from the top

means the best idea comes from the top the person at the top has the biggest

the person at the top has the biggest

the person at the top has the biggest degree or is the most qualified for some

degree or is the most qualified for some

degree or is the most qualified for some reason they’re the ones who ideas matter

reason they’re the ones who ideas matter

reason they’re the ones who ideas matter and you’re supposed to listen and take

and you’re supposed to listen and take

and you’re supposed to listen and take notes creativity doesn’t work that way

notes creativity doesn’t work that way

notes creativity doesn’t work that way the best idea can come from a

the best idea can come from a

the best idea can come from a two-year-old hierarchy limits the size

two-year-old hierarchy limits the size

two-year-old hierarchy limits the size of the garden competition and pressure

of the garden competition and pressure

of the garden competition and pressure that’s like drought that’s like taking

that’s like drought that’s like taking

that’s like drought that’s like taking the water away from the plant if you

the water away from the plant if you

the water away from the plant if you have competition to reach some goal or

have competition to reach some goal or

have competition to reach some goal or pressure to achieve on some test there

pressure to achieve on some test there

pressure to achieve on some test there is no way that you can feel free to be

is no way that you can feel free to be

is no way that you can feel free to be creative criticism making fun ridicule

creative criticism making fun ridicule

creative criticism making fun ridicule that is like disease to the dreamer

that is like disease to the dreamer

that is like disease to the dreamer nothing kills the dreamer faster than

nothing kills the dreamer faster than

nothing kills the dreamer faster than being made fun of being ridiculed not

being made fun of being ridiculed not

being made fun of being ridiculed not being accepted and finally and this one

being accepted and finally and this one

being accepted and finally and this one took me a while to come to terms with

took me a while to come to terms with

took me a while to come to terms with thinking just the act of thinking

thinking just the act of thinking

thinking just the act of thinking testing may

testing may

testing may during examining just those simple

during examining just those simple

during examining just those simple things destroy the dreamer it cannot

things destroy the dreamer it cannot

things destroy the dreamer it cannot coexist with those things it’s like

coexist with those things it’s like

coexist with those things it’s like you’ve taken the plants up from out of

you’ve taken the plants up from out of

you’ve taken the plants up from out of the ground so you can examine the root

the ground so you can examine the root

the ground so you can examine the root structures the plants will die

structures the plants will die

structures the plants will die so the dreamer can’t exist with that and

so the dreamer can’t exist with that and

so the dreamer can’t exist with that and that is exactly why it needs to be

that is exactly why it needs to be

that is exactly why it needs to be protected but but what does it mean to

protected but but what does it mean to

protected but but what does it mean to be a protector of the dreamer well I

be a protector of the dreamer well I

be a protector of the dreamer well I hope to illustrate this concept through

hope to illustrate this concept through

hope to illustrate this concept through some experiences I had growing up up to

some experiences I had growing up up to

some experiences I had growing up up to this point of people who were the

this point of people who were the

this point of people who were the protector of the dreamer for me the

protector of the dreamer for me the

protector of the dreamer for me the first the protector of play and the

first the protector of play and the

first the protector of play and the players all the world’s a stage and all

players all the world’s a stage and all

players all the world’s a stage and all the men and women merely players thus

the men and women merely players thus

the men and women merely players thus says William Shakespeare in his play as

says William Shakespeare in his play as

says William Shakespeare in his play as you like it and when I was a kid well I

you like it and when I was a kid well I

you like it and when I was a kid well I thought that that could have been the

thought that that could have been the

thought that that could have been the truth you see my mom was a drama teacher

truth you see my mom was a drama teacher

truth you see my mom was a drama teacher and so as early as I can remember I was

and so as early as I can remember I was

and so as early as I can remember I was on and around the stage there was always

on and around the stage there was always

on and around the stage there was always talk of that latest musical theater

talk of that latest musical theater

talk of that latest musical theater number some new play that’s out on

number some new play that’s out on

number some new play that’s out on Broadway or the show that my mom was

Broadway or the show that my mom was

Broadway or the show that my mom was working on this is my mom in her office

working on this is my mom in her office

working on this is my mom in her office you can see a lame-ass musical theater

you can see a lame-ass musical theater

you can see a lame-ass musical theater poster behind her and and just on the

poster behind her and and just on the

poster behind her and and just on the other side there you can see a poster

other side there you can see a poster

other side there you can see a poster from the variety show she started in our

from the variety show she started in our

from the variety show she started in our community back in 1978 a show that she’s

community back in 1978 a show that she’s

community back in 1978 a show that she’s directed on our community ever every

directed on our community ever every

directed on our community ever every year since up until this past year this

year since up until this past year this

year since up until this past year this is me as a young guy at the variety show

is me as a young guy at the variety show

is me as a young guy at the variety show very much at home with the actors with

very much at home with the actors with

very much at home with the actors with the performances playing but also just

the performances playing but also just

the performances playing but also just getting to know the world of the stage

getting to know the world of the stage

getting to know the world of the stage in the world of drama this is me a few

in the world of drama this is me a few

in the world of drama this is me a few years later now I was playing a pie

years later now I was playing a pie

years later now I was playing a pie salesman that was selling fake pies and

salesman that was selling fake pies and

salesman that was selling fake pies and this policeman kept coming by to check

this policeman kept coming by to check

this policeman kept coming by to check and I would keep coming through

and I would keep coming through

and I would keep coming through different times during the show just to

different times during the show just to

different times during the show just to prove that I was selling pies for real

prove that I was selling pies for real

prove that I was selling pies for real eventually he would chase me off the

eventually he would chase me off the

eventually he would chase me off the stage every time I had the best time of

stage every time I had the best time of

stage every time I had the best time of my life so from a very early age I was

my life so from a very early age I was

my life so from a very early age I was on the stage and I thank my mother for

on the stage and I thank my mother for

on the stage and I thank my mother for introducing me my brother and sister and

introducing me my brother and sister and

introducing me my brother and sister and I to the world of drama the world of the

I to the world of drama the world of the

I to the world of drama the world of the players but that wasn’t the greatest

players but that wasn’t the greatest

players but that wasn’t the greatest gift that she gave us the greatest gift

gift that she gave us the greatest gift

gift that she gave us the greatest gift that she gave us was protecting our play

that she gave us was protecting our play

that she gave us was protecting our play she gave us

she gave us

she gave us permission and she protected our

permission and she protected our

permission and she protected our schedules I look at some of the young

schedules I look at some of the young

schedules I look at some of the young people out there these days they don’t

people out there these days they don’t

people out there these days they don’t have a free minute to themselves it’s as

have a free minute to themselves it’s as

have a free minute to themselves it’s as if their parents believed if they were

if their parents believed if they were

if their parents believed if they were given one hour of free time in a week

given one hour of free time in a week

given one hour of free time in a week they would waste that time for sure or

they would waste that time for sure or

they would waste that time for sure or at least not use it in a productive way

at least not use it in a productive way

at least not use it in a productive way and thereby be passed by some other

and thereby be passed by some other

and thereby be passed by some other person competing for that one slot to

person competing for that one slot to

person competing for that one slot to the great University or the great job or

the great University or the great job or

the great University or the great job or whatever the perceived future success is

whatever the perceived future success is

whatever the perceived future success is well my mom didn’t have that kind of

well my mom didn’t have that kind of

well my mom didn’t have that kind of agenda for us

agenda for us

agenda for us she gave us long unbroken I had no

she gave us long unbroken I had no

she gave us long unbroken I had no periods of time where our minds could

periods of time where our minds could

periods of time where our minds could wander and we could just enjoy playing

wander and we could just enjoy playing

wander and we could just enjoy playing and being kids she didn’t have to teach

and being kids she didn’t have to teach

and being kids she didn’t have to teach us how to imagine or invent or

us how to imagine or invent or

us how to imagine or invent or make-believe that was something that

make-believe that was something that

make-believe that was something that came as naturally to us as walking and

came as naturally to us as walking and

came as naturally to us as walking and talking the only thing she had to do was

talking the only thing she had to do was

talking the only thing she had to do was protect the time and give us permission

protect the time and give us permission

protect the time and give us permission we need more protectors of play so I

we need more protectors of play so I

we need more protectors of play so I went off to school and as the dreamer

went off to school and as the dreamer

went off to school and as the dreamer gets to school they move from this time

gets to school they move from this time

gets to school they move from this time of for me this wonderful time of play

of for me this wonderful time of play

of for me this wonderful time of play into a time where play is not so

into a time where play is not so

into a time where play is not so accepted and if you think about it if we

accepted and if you think about it if we

accepted and if you think about it if we look at some of the traits of the

look at some of the traits of the

look at some of the traits of the dreamer we can think about how these

dreamer we can think about how these

dreamer we can think about how these traits don’t always exactly fit in a

traits don’t always exactly fit in a

traits don’t always exactly fit in a school setting traits like being

school setting traits like being

school setting traits like being inefficient or spontaneous free and

inefficient or spontaneous free and

inefficient or spontaneous free and chaotic play even is relegated to recess

chaotic play even is relegated to recess

chaotic play even is relegated to recess and then cut out of the curriculum

and then cut out of the curriculum

and then cut out of the curriculum completely by the time you get to middle

completely by the time you get to middle

completely by the time you get to middle school exploring wandering daydreaming

school exploring wandering daydreaming

school exploring wandering daydreaming these were certainly not the kinds of

these were certainly not the kinds of

these were certainly not the kinds of students that made my classroom easy the

students that made my classroom easy the

students that made my classroom easy the dreamer has a tough time at school which

dreamer has a tough time at school which

dreamer has a tough time at school which is why the dreamer needs to be protected

is why the dreamer needs to be protected

is why the dreamer needs to be protected at school or else you get doodles like

at school or else you get doodles like

at school or else you get doodles like this you know doodles are just the

this you know doodles are just the

this you know doodles are just the daegeum are crying out for help that’s

daegeum are crying out for help that’s

daegeum are crying out for help that’s what a doodle is for those of you who

what a doodle is for those of you who

what a doodle is for those of you who aren’t aware I was lucky enough

aren’t aware I was lucky enough

aren’t aware I was lucky enough throughout my schooling to have several

throughout my schooling to have several

throughout my schooling to have several protectors of creativity

protectors of creativity

protectors of creativity who gave us a choice and a chance to be

who gave us a choice and a chance to be

who gave us a choice and a chance to be creative at key times and that gave me a

creative at key times and that gave me a

creative at key times and that gave me a lifeline to my imagination

lifeline to my imagination

lifeline to my imagination throughout the schooling process one of

throughout the schooling process one of

throughout the schooling process one of those was my second grade teacher miss

those was my second grade teacher miss

those was my second grade teacher miss Whittaker we ran into miss Whittaker

Whittaker we ran into miss Whittaker

Whittaker we ran into miss Whittaker about a year ago

about a year ago

about a year ago at a summer barbecue she was 82 years

at a summer barbecue she was 82 years

at a summer barbecue she was 82 years old but the look on her face the smile

old but the look on her face the smile

old but the look on her face the smile her laugh the gentle gaze in her eyes

her laugh the gentle gaze in her eyes

her laugh the gentle gaze in her eyes none of that had changed time had

none of that had changed time had

none of that had changed time had affected her of course but it felt like

affected her of course but it felt like

affected her of course but it felt like it had been very gentle with her and it

it had been very gentle with her and it

it had been very gentle with her and it reminded me of how she was in our class

reminded me of how she was in our class

reminded me of how she was in our class I used to love her book reports does

I used to love her book reports does

I used to love her book reports does anybody remember book reports a book

anybody remember book reports a book

anybody remember book reports a book reports where you you read a book then

reports where you you read a book then

reports where you you read a book then you memorize the key parts the author

you memorize the key parts the author

you memorize the key parts the author the plot you know the setting and then

the plot you know the setting and then

the plot you know the setting and then you stand in front you recite that in

you stand in front you recite that in

you stand in front you recite that in front of the class well miss Whittaker

front of the class well miss Whittaker

front of the class well miss Whittaker encouraged me to do creative book

encouraged me to do creative book

encouraged me to do creative book reports oh I would memorize my entire

reports oh I would memorize my entire

reports oh I would memorize my entire book report I would get some props from

book report I would get some props from

book report I would get some props from my mom’s prop closet and I would dress

my mom’s prop closet and I would dress

my mom’s prop closet and I would dress up like a character from the book and

up like a character from the book and

up like a character from the book and deliver the book report in character as

deliver the book report in character as

deliver the book report in character as a character from the story that’s me

a character from the story that’s me

a character from the story that’s me right there wearing the the homemade wig

right there wearing the the homemade wig

right there wearing the the homemade wig and the funny-looking little white shirt

and the funny-looking little white shirt

and the funny-looking little white shirt lifeline to my creativity a little bit

lifeline to my creativity a little bit

lifeline to my creativity a little bit later 11th grade history teacher mr.

later 11th grade history teacher mr.

later 11th grade history teacher mr. Boyle

Boyle

Boyle he was the most demanding teacher in the

he was the most demanding teacher in the

he was the most demanding teacher in the school he was a very very rigorous

school he was a very very rigorous

school he was a very very rigorous grader and he expected a lot of his

grader and he expected a lot of his

grader and he expected a lot of his students but he also gave us a creative

students but he also gave us a creative

students but he also gave us a creative option and so for our study of the 1960s

option and so for our study of the 1960s

option and so for our study of the 1960s decade in America he let us do a

decade in America he let us do a

decade in America he let us do a creative presentation as our final

creative presentation as our final

creative presentation as our final professor final for our final grade and

professor final for our final grade and

professor final for our final grade and for me ah what a wonder we did a

for me ah what a wonder we did a

for me ah what a wonder we did a 20-minute multimedia staged performance

20-minute multimedia staged performance

20-minute multimedia staged performance that included hippy anti-war rallies the

that included hippy anti-war rallies the

that included hippy anti-war rallies the Martin Luther King I have a dream speech

Martin Luther King I have a dream speech

Martin Luther King I have a dream speech and the assassinations of Robert and

and the assassinations of Robert and

and the assassinations of Robert and John Kennedy I mean I can remember that

John Kennedy I mean I can remember that

John Kennedy I mean I can remember that from so many years ago I remember that

from so many years ago I remember that

from so many years ago I remember that like it was last week I remember it

like it was last week I remember it

like it was last week I remember it because it mattered to me because I

because it mattered to me because I

because it mattered to me because I could do it my way because it does

could do it my way because it does

could do it my way because it does matter it does matter to give kids a

matter it does matter to give kids a

matter it does matter to give kids a chance and a choice to be creative we

chance and a choice to be creative we

chance and a choice to be creative we need protectors of creativity bit off to

need protectors of creativity bit off to

need protectors of creativity bit off to college and I have to say my college

college and I have to say my college

college and I have to say my college years were some of the most fruitful for

years were some of the most fruitful for

years were some of the most fruitful for my dreamer short hours of class long

my dreamer short hours of class long

my dreamer short hours of class long hours of time to explore I was involved

hours of time to explore I was involved

hours of time to explore I was involved in every after-school Club you could

in every after-school Club you could

in every after-school Club you could imagine but by the

imagine but by the

imagine but by the of my fourth year when graduation was

of my fourth year when graduation was

of my fourth year when graduation was right around the corner I kept hearing

right around the corner I kept hearing

right around the corner I kept hearing about the real world it’s time to

about the real world it’s time to

about the real world it’s time to realize come to the realization that

realize come to the realization that

realize come to the realization that you’re gonna be out in the hard cold

you’re gonna be out in the hard cold

you’re gonna be out in the hard cold world and you’re gonna have to figure

world and you’re gonna have to figure

world and you’re gonna have to figure out what to do and I was scared

out what to do and I was scared

out what to do and I was scared according to Gallup research the most

according to Gallup research the most

according to Gallup research the most important thing that is the biggest

important thing that is the biggest

important thing that is the biggest impact on the future success and

impact on the future success and

impact on the future success and happiness of a student is a professor

happiness of a student is a professor

happiness of a student is a professor who cares about them as a person gets

who cares about them as a person gets

who cares about them as a person gets them excited about learning and

them excited about learning and

them excited about learning and encourages them to pursue their dreams

encourages them to pursue their dreams

encourages them to pursue their dreams for me this was a protector of

for me this was a protector of

for me this was a protector of imagination who I met in college

imagination who I met in college

imagination who I met in college mr. Mead Ernest Mead affectionately

mr. Mead Ernest Mead affectionately

mr. Mead Ernest Mead affectionately known as boots I met him just a few days

known as boots I met him just a few days

known as boots I met him just a few days before the start of this very stressful

before the start of this very stressful

before the start of this very stressful fourth year and I can still remember

fourth year and I can still remember

fourth year and I can still remember talking to him the way he would listen

talking to him the way he would listen

talking to him the way he would listen the way he was genuinely interested in

the way he was genuinely interested in

the way he was genuinely interested in what I had to say my interest in my

what I had to say my interest in my

what I had to say my interest in my pursuits I was fortunate enough to be

pursuits I was fortunate enough to be

pursuits I was fortunate enough to be part of a small group that got to join

part of a small group that got to join

part of a small group that got to join the mr. Meade’s seminar mr. Mead had

the mr. Meade’s seminar mr. Mead had

the mr. Meade’s seminar mr. Mead had retired many years earlier and yet he

retired many years earlier and yet he

retired many years earlier and yet he still came back to teach one class every

still came back to teach one class every

still came back to teach one class every year it was just called the music

year it was just called the music

year it was just called the music seminar but what it really was was an

seminar but what it really was was an

seminar but what it really was was an opportunity for a small group of

opportunity for a small group of

opportunity for a small group of students to get together with mr. meat

students to get together with mr. meat

students to get together with mr. meat as a facilitator with no quizzes no

as a facilitator with no quizzes no

as a facilitator with no quizzes no tests no set curriculum in fact all of

tests no set curriculum in fact all of

tests no set curriculum in fact all of the content was generated by the

the content was generated by the

the content was generated by the students ourselves we were encouraged to

students ourselves we were encouraged to

students ourselves we were encouraged to explore any of those concepts ideas or

explore any of those concepts ideas or

explore any of those concepts ideas or subjects that we hadn’t had a chance to

subjects that we hadn’t had a chance to

subjects that we hadn’t had a chance to study in the normal curriculum but even

study in the normal curriculum but even

study in the normal curriculum but even more than that mr. Mead encouraged us to

more than that mr. Mead encouraged us to

more than that mr. Mead encouraged us to imagine know what lights you up you used

imagine know what lights you up you used

imagine know what lights you up you used to say if you know what lights you up

to say if you know what lights you up

to say if you know what lights you up that’s what you need to do that’s what

that’s what you need to do that’s what

that’s what you need to do that’s what you need to focus on in that time of

you need to focus on in that time of

you need to focus on in that time of pressure when everybody was scrambling

pressure when everybody was scrambling

pressure when everybody was scrambling to find a safe job to find somewhere

to find a safe job to find somewhere

to find a safe job to find somewhere safe to land after graduation mr. Mead

safe to land after graduation mr. Mead

safe to land after graduation mr. Mead encouraged us to imagine imagine the

encouraged us to imagine imagine the

encouraged us to imagine imagine the kind of future you want not the kind

kind of future you want not the kind

kind of future you want not the kind that’s the realistic one that you think

that’s the realistic one that you think

that’s the realistic one that you think you can get imagine the kind of future

you can get imagine the kind of future

you can get imagine the kind of future that you think you can bring into this

that you think you can bring into this

that you think you can bring into this world here we are with my small study

world here we are with my small study

world here we are with my small study group and that’s me sitting with mr.

group and that’s me sitting with mr.

group and that’s me sitting with mr. Meade so when I was presented at the end

Meade so when I was presented at the end

Meade so when I was presented at the end of my of my college time with two very

of my of my college time with two very

of my of my college time with two very different opportunities of what to do

different opportunities of what to do

different opportunities of what to do next when when I was getting ready to

next when when I was getting ready to

next when when I was getting ready to graduate

graduate

graduate the first consulting job Washington DC

the first consulting job Washington DC

the first consulting job Washington DC stable salary my parents would have been

stable salary my parents would have been

stable salary my parents would have been thrilled I would have been an hour away

thrilled I would have been an hour away

thrilled I would have been an hour away from home or travel halfway across the

from home or travel halfway across the

from home or travel halfway across the world to Warsaw Poland to work at

world to Warsaw Poland to work at

world to Warsaw Poland to work at something called an international school

something called an international school

something called an international school teaching drama after working with mr.

teaching drama after working with mr.

teaching drama after working with mr. Meade the decision for me was easy and

Meade the decision for me was easy and

Meade the decision for me was easy and it wasn’t that hard for me to convince

it wasn’t that hard for me to convince

it wasn’t that hard for me to convince my parents either because I knew that

my parents either because I knew that

my parents either because I knew that even though the first path was

even though the first path was

even though the first path was definitely the ones to a stable career a

definitely the ones to a stable career a

definitely the ones to a stable career a stable income a stable life the second

stable income a stable life the second

stable income a stable life the second path lit up my imagination and so that’s

path lit up my imagination and so that’s

path lit up my imagination and so that’s what I did I went to the international

what I did I went to the international

what I did I went to the international school the American School of Warsaw

school the American School of Warsaw

school the American School of Warsaw Poland to be exact and I started my

Poland to be exact and I started my

Poland to be exact and I started my journey in international education and

journey in international education and

journey in international education and what I found there ah it was school as

what I found there ah it was school as

what I found there ah it was school as school was meant to be it was a place

school was meant to be it was a place

school was meant to be it was a place where teachers were artists musicians

where teachers were artists musicians

where teachers were artists musicians adventurers poets scholars trusted and

adventurers poets scholars trusted and

adventurers poets scholars trusted and respected professionals who were given

respected professionals who were given

respected professionals who were given the space the freedom and the

the space the freedom and the

the space the freedom and the opportunity to create and to do their

opportunity to create and to do their

opportunity to create and to do their jobs and to play I had two amazing

jobs and to play I had two amazing

jobs and to play I had two amazing mentors there miss McGinnis and miss

mentors there miss McGinnis and miss

mentors there miss McGinnis and miss Murphy the first an actress and a leader

Murphy the first an actress and a leader

Murphy the first an actress and a leader with the international schools theatre

with the international schools theatre

with the international schools theatre Association the second an artist and a

Association the second an artist and a

Association the second an artist and a philosopher they showed me that a

philosopher they showed me that a

philosopher they showed me that a classroom could be a haven it could be a

classroom could be a haven it could be a

classroom could be a haven it could be a place where students and teachers could

place where students and teachers could

place where students and teachers could have real raw earnest discussions about

have real raw earnest discussions about

have real raw earnest discussions about life and things that mattered where

life and things that mattered where

life and things that mattered where people could connect on important and

people could connect on important and

people could connect on important and personal levels where life could be

personal levels where life could be

personal levels where life could be explored and discussed I was exposed at

explored and discussed I was exposed at

explored and discussed I was exposed at that time as well to the international

that time as well to the international

that time as well to the international schools theatre Association and I could

schools theatre Association and I could

schools theatre Association and I could do a whole talk just on them because I

do a whole talk just on them because I

do a whole talk just on them because I feel like the international schools

feel like the international schools

feel like the international schools theatre Association ensemble method of

theatre Association ensemble method of

theatre Association ensemble method of draw

draw

draw could be a textbook way of transforming

could be a textbook way of transforming

could be a textbook way of transforming any space any classroom into a haven for

any space any classroom into a haven for

any space any classroom into a haven for the dreamer a way to protect the dreamer

the dreamer a way to protect the dreamer

the dreamer a way to protect the dreamer you get smiles like this in spaces like

you get smiles like this in spaces like

you get smiles like this in spaces like that I’m not going to talk more about

that I’m not going to talk more about

that I’m not going to talk more about the international schools theater

the international schools theater

the international schools theater Association but I will end today with a

Association but I will end today with a

Association but I will end today with a story from that organization I was able

story from that organization I was able

story from that organization I was able to go on an international school theatre

to go on an international school theatre

to go on an international school theatre Association festival to Terezin in the

Association festival to Terezin in the

Association festival to Terezin in the Czech Republic Terezin is a beautiful

Czech Republic Terezin is a beautiful

Czech Republic Terezin is a beautiful town located about 60 miles outside of

town located about 60 miles outside of

town located about 60 miles outside of Prague and the Czech Republic but it has

Prague and the Czech Republic but it has

Prague and the Czech Republic but it has a very challenging history back in 1942

a very challenging history back in 1942

a very challenging history back in 1942 Terezin was used as a concentration camp

Terezin was used as a concentration camp

Terezin was used as a concentration camp for the Nazis and thousands of Jewish

for the Nazis and thousands of Jewish

for the Nazis and thousands of Jewish people were sent there never to return

people were sent there never to return

people were sent there never to return again now the different thing about

again now the different thing about

again now the different thing about Terezin is that it was meant to be a

Terezin is that it was meant to be a

Terezin is that it was meant to be a sample camp a place where the Nazis

sample camp a place where the Nazis

sample camp a place where the Nazis could show the outside world that these

could show the outside world that these

could show the outside world that these camps weren’t so bad they were meant to

camps weren’t so bad they were meant to

camps weren’t so bad they were meant to protect the Jewish people not to cause

protect the Jewish people not to cause

protect the Jewish people not to cause them any harm it was the place where

them any harm it was the place where

them any harm it was the place where many of the first Jewish people were

many of the first Jewish people were

many of the first Jewish people were relocated many of the prestigious

relocated many of the prestigious

relocated many of the prestigious intellectuals artists musicians and

intellectuals artists musicians and

intellectuals artists musicians and children around 15,000 children to be

children around 15,000 children to be

children around 15,000 children to be exact in her terror scene we started

exact in her terror scene we started

exact in her terror scene we started just by exploring trying to come to

just by exploring trying to come to

just by exploring trying to come to terms with what had happened in this

terms with what had happened in this

terms with what had happened in this place such a beautiful place but with

place such a beautiful place but with

place such a beautiful place but with such a dark history we toured the

such a dark history we toured the

such a dark history we toured the grounds where the concentration camp

grounds where the concentration camp

grounds where the concentration camp victims had lived where they had worked

victims had lived where they had worked

victims had lived where they had worked and played dark corridors and then we

and played dark corridors and then we

and played dark corridors and then we thought about their lives we thought

thought about their lives we thought

thought about their lives we thought about who they had been before

about who they had been before

about who they had been before and the things that they left behind and

and the things that they left behind and

and the things that they left behind and we started to integrate this in the way

we started to integrate this in the way

we started to integrate this in the way that it stood eyes we started to make it

that it stood eyes we started to make it

that it stood eyes we started to make it real and make it human and give voice to

real and make it human and give voice to

real and make it human and give voice to what had happened and hear the stories

what had happened and hear the stories

what had happened and hear the stories of those people and take some of that

of those people and take some of that

of those people and take some of that pain into our own hearts and process it

pain into our own hearts and process it

pain into our own hearts and process it through drama into something that had

through drama into something that had

through drama into something that had its own expression something that was at

its own expression something that was at

its own expression something that was at once incredibly sad and incredibly

once incredibly sad and incredibly

once incredibly sad and incredibly beautiful

beautiful

beautiful and by doing so helped to integrate that

and by doing so helped to integrate that

and by doing so helped to integrate that experience for all of us for me it was

experience for all of us for me it was

experience for all of us for me it was the children so many children and the

the children so many children and the

the children so many children and the adults that risked so much to look after

adults that risked so much to look after

adults that risked so much to look after them I was told we were told that the

them I was told we were told that the

them I was told we were told that the children wanted to draw to paint and to

children wanted to draw to paint and to

children wanted to draw to paint and to create and the adults would risk their

create and the adults would risk their

create and the adults would risk their lives to steal small scraps of paper art

lives to steal small scraps of paper art

lives to steal small scraps of paper art supplies so that the children could have

supplies so that the children could have

supplies so that the children could have a chance to create and many of these

a chance to create and many of these

a chance to create and many of these drawings survived buried under the

drawings survived buried under the

drawings survived buried under the ground crammed into some of the places

ground crammed into some of the places

ground crammed into some of the places some some of behind the bunks in some of

some some of behind the bunks in some of

some some of behind the bunks in some of the the housing areas and these show

the the housing areas and these show

the the housing areas and these show that from the child’s perspective hope

that from the child’s perspective hope

that from the child’s perspective hope had never left they could still see the

had never left they could still see the

had never left they could still see the green grass they could still see the

green grass they could still see the

green grass they could still see the butterflies even in the darkest of times

butterflies even in the darkest of times

butterflies even in the darkest of times they could still feel hope they had

they could still feel hope they had

they could still feel hope they had protectors but they could still feel

protectors but they could still feel

protectors but they could still feel hope so I was moved I mean we were all

hope so I was moved I mean we were all

hope so I was moved I mean we were all moved by this experience and by the end

moved by this experience and by the end

moved by this experience and by the end of the day a song had come to me the

of the day a song had come to me the

of the day a song had come to me the words the melody all just into my mind

words the melody all just into my mind

words the melody all just into my mind and as the ista people are so gracious

and as the ista people are so gracious

and as the ista people are so gracious and open and spontaneous to anything any

and open and spontaneous to anything any

and open and spontaneous to anything any suggestion I asked if I could share the

suggestion I asked if I could share the

suggestion I asked if I could share the song with the group at that last session

song with the group at that last session

song with the group at that last session they said of course and so I started

they said of course and so I started

they said of course and so I started singing the song and then another voice

singing the song and then another voice

singing the song and then another voice joined and another and by the end all of

joined and another and by the end all of

joined and another and by the end all of the people there we were all singing

the people there we were all singing

the people there we were all singing this song this song that had somehow

this song this song that had somehow

this song this song that had somehow been inspired by the work of these

been inspired by the work of these

been inspired by the work of these children from so long ago not too much

children from so long ago not too much

children from so long ago not too much longer I’m back in Warsaw Poland and

longer I’m back in Warsaw Poland and

longer I’m back in Warsaw Poland and another college classmate had come

another college classmate had come

another college classmate had come through town though she was bringing a

through town though she was bringing a

through town though she was bringing a group of Jewish students through Europe

group of Jewish students through Europe

group of Jewish students through Europe to tour concentration camps and asked if

to tour concentration camps and asked if

to tour concentration camps and asked if I would speak to them about Terezin and

I would speak to them about Terezin and

I would speak to them about Terezin and my experiences there and I did and I

my experiences there and I did and I

my experiences there and I did and I told them about the horror but also

told them about the horror but also

told them about the horror but also about the healing that had been

about the healing that had been

about the healing that had been experienced that I had experienced

experienced that I had experienced

experienced that I had experienced through art and I shared with him this

through art and I shared with him this

through art and I shared with him this song in just a couple weeks after that I

song in just a couple weeks after that I

song in just a couple weeks after that I got an email from her that said on one

got an email from her that said on one

got an email from her that said on one of the last nights of their tour after

of the last nights of their tour after

of the last nights of their tour after they had also experienced the horror and

they had also experienced the horror and

they had also experienced the horror and experienced some healing they sang this

experienced some healing they sang this

experienced some healing they sang this song this song that was inspired by

song this song that was inspired by

song this song that was inspired by those children that was inspired by

those children that was inspired by

those children that was inspired by those adults that predict

those adults that predict

those adults that predict protected them that was inspired by

protected them that was inspired by

protected them that was inspired by those teachers that brought the students

those teachers that brought the students

those teachers that brought the students there for that festival they sang it has

there for that festival they sang it has

there for that festival they sang it has the Jewish people that were meant to be

the Jewish people that were meant to be

the Jewish people that were meant to be exterminated but that were not on the

exterminated but that were not on the

exterminated but that were not on the banks alongside Jerusalem they sang the

banks alongside Jerusalem they sang the

banks alongside Jerusalem they sang the song and I’ll sing it for you now very

song and I’ll sing it for you now very

song and I’ll sing it for you now very simple melody I’m around you any time

simple melody I’m around you any time

simple melody I’m around you any time that you need me oh you have to do is

that you need me oh you have to do is

that you need me oh you have to do is think of me and I’m around you anytime

think of me and I’m around you anytime

think of me and I’m around you anytime that you need me all you have to do is

that you need me all you have to do is

that you need me all you have to do is think of me of me and thank you at the

think of me of me and thank you at the

think of me of me and thank you at the beginning of this talk I encouraged all

beginning of this talk I encouraged all

beginning of this talk I encouraged all of us to be protectors but here’s the

of us to be protectors but here’s the

of us to be protectors but here’s the secret before you can protect any young

secret before you can protect any young

secret before you can protect any young person like my protectors protected me

person like my protectors protected me

person like my protectors protected me the first person you have to protect is

the first person you have to protect is

the first person you have to protect is yourself your inner child is just

yourself your inner child is just

yourself your inner child is just waiting to have permission to play your

waiting to have permission to play your

waiting to have permission to play your inner artist once a choice and a chance

inner artist once a choice and a chance

inner artist once a choice and a chance to be creative again your inner

to be creative again your inner

to be creative again your inner adventurer is waiting for its

adventurer is waiting for its

adventurer is waiting for its imagination to be ignited and all it

imagination to be ignited and all it

imagination to be ignited and all it takes is a few scraps of paper for your

takes is a few scraps of paper for your

takes is a few scraps of paper for your inner child to see with hopeful eyes the

inner child to see with hopeful eyes the

inner child to see with hopeful eyes the beauty that exists even in the darkest

beauty that exists even in the darkest

beauty that exists even in the darkest times of our world educators are

times of our world educators are

times of our world educators are servants of the humanities it is our

servants of the humanities it is our

servants of the humanities it is our duty to transfer the accumulated

duty to transfer the accumulated

duty to transfer the accumulated knowledge skills lessons all that was

knowledge skills lessons all that was

knowledge skills lessons all that was learned from her from our ancestors to

learned from her from our ancestors to

learned from her from our ancestors to the next generation but we are also the

the next generation but we are also the

the next generation but we are also the servants of humanity and sometimes we

servants of humanity and sometimes we

servants of humanity and sometimes we are the last line of defense against

are the last line of defense against

are the last line of defense against some of humanity’s greatest natural

some of humanity’s greatest natural

some of humanity’s greatest natural resources things like play creativity

resources things like play creativity

resources things like play creativity imagination and hope today I encourage

imagination and hope today I encourage

imagination and hope today I encourage all of us but especially the educators

all of us but especially the educators

all of us but especially the educators among us to protect these natural

among us to protect these natural

among us to protect these natural resources of humanity to be protectors

resources of humanity to be protectors

resources of humanity to be protectors of the dreamer

of the dreamer

of the dreamer thank you

[Applause]

[Applause] [Music]