so thank you for asking asking you to share my thoughts with you here tonight
share my thoughts with you here tonight
share my thoughts with you here tonight at this model this incredible model of
at this model this incredible model of
at this model this incredible model of future education here in the North Shore
future education here in the North Shore
future education here in the North Shore community at the amazing North Creek
community at the amazing North Creek
community at the amazing North Creek High School
High School
High School I will we can go ahead and start I want
I will we can go ahead and start I want
I will we can go ahead and start I want to share just briefly this world is my
to share just briefly this world is my
to share just briefly this world is my spirit animal and I thought in the
spirit animal and I thought in the
spirit animal and I thought in the spirit of talking about creativity I
spirit of talking about creativity I
spirit of talking about creativity I wanted to to share that because you may
wanted to to share that because you may
wanted to to share that because you may see that squirrel come back during the
see that squirrel come back during the
see that squirrel come back during the first of my remarks this evening I want
first of my remarks this evening I want
first of my remarks this evening I want to thank deeply for in extending the
to thank deeply for in extending the
to thank deeply for in extending the invitation to share my thoughts on
invitation to share my thoughts on
invitation to share my thoughts on creativity in schools of public
creativity in schools of public
creativity in schools of public education today so um I want to start by
education today so um I want to start by
education today so um I want to start by saying that what you’ll see behind me
saying that what you’ll see behind me
saying that what you’ll see behind me represents really sort of my thinking in
represents really sort of my thinking in
represents really sort of my thinking in a natural habitat for all creatures here
a natural habitat for all creatures here
a natural habitat for all creatures here in the North Shore’s school district
in the North Shore’s school district
in the North Shore’s school district both our students and you’ll later
both our students and you’ll later
both our students and you’ll later understand what I mean some of the true
understand what I mean some of the true
understand what I mean some of the true spirit of creative thought I’m going to
spirit of creative thought I’m going to
spirit of creative thought I’m going to ask you to make meaning of the slides on
ask you to make meaning of the slides on
ask you to make meaning of the slides on your own I’m not going to tell you what
your own I’m not going to tell you what
your own I’m not going to tell you what they made because in fact in a true
they made because in fact in a true
they made because in fact in a true creative sense it would be tantamount to
creative sense it would be tantamount to
creative sense it would be tantamount to telling you to color within the lines if
telling you to color within the lines if
telling you to color within the lines if I told you what each line meant to my
I told you what each line meant to my
I told you what each line meant to my remarks so you need to make your own
remarks so you need to make your own
remarks so you need to make your own meaning tonight although I’d love to
meaning tonight although I’d love to
meaning tonight although I’d love to hear you share your thoughts with me in
hear you share your thoughts with me in
hear you share your thoughts with me in the coming days about the meeting you
the coming days about the meeting you
the coming days about the meeting you were able to make from that tonight I
were able to make from that tonight I
were able to make from that tonight I hope that we have the conversation
hope that we have the conversation
hope that we have the conversation really about a topic that’s very near
really about a topic that’s very near
really about a topic that’s very near and dear to my heart and I think many of
and dear to my heart and I think many of
and dear to my heart and I think many of yours as well so we’re most three
yours as well so we’re most three
yours as well so we’re most three we at a crossroad both here in our
we at a crossroad both here in our
we at a crossroad both here in our district and in our community in our
district and in our community in our
district and in our community in our country a large honestly our need has
country a large honestly our need has
country a large honestly our need has never been greater for creativity in our
never been greater for creativity in our
never been greater for creativity in our thoughts and actions as we lead into our
thoughts and actions as we lead into our
thoughts and actions as we lead into our future and watch only the best for our
future and watch only the best for our
future and watch only the best for our upcoming graduates recently Sir Kenneth
upcoming graduates recently Sir Kenneth
upcoming graduates recently Sir Kenneth Robinson noted that a kindergarten
Robinson noted that a kindergarten
Robinson noted that a kindergarten ninety-eight percent of us at our
ninety-eight percent of us at our
ninety-eight percent of us at our kindergarten age were distinguished in
kindergarten age were distinguished in
kindergarten age were distinguished in the area of divergent thinking
the area of divergent thinking
the area of divergent thinking illustrating a capacity for creativity
illustrating a capacity for creativity
illustrating a capacity for creativity and almost all of us I might be in the
and almost all of us I might be in the
and almost all of us I might be in the 2% that didn’t meet the distinguished
2% that didn’t meet the distinguished
2% that didn’t meet the distinguished level therefore divergent thinking it
level therefore divergent thinking it
level therefore divergent thinking it was based essentially on a test of 1,500
was based essentially on a test of 1,500
was based essentially on a test of 1,500 kindergarteners and asking them what
kindergarteners and asking them what
kindergarteners and asking them what would they do was the number of uses
would they do was the number of uses
would they do was the number of uses they could come up with for a paperclip
they could come up with for a paperclip
they could come up with for a paperclip and so many of us might think you know
and so many of us might think you know
and so many of us might think you know what holds people together we can put
what holds people together we can put
what holds people together we can put together perhaps different things and
together perhaps different things and
together perhaps different things and hang them from places but tinder
hang them from places but tinder
hang them from places but tinder gardeners had an admission for that by
gardeners had an admission for that by
gardeners had an admission for that by how large is the paperclip
how large is the paperclip
how large is the paperclip could it be 200 feet tall could it be
could it be 200 feet tall could it be
could it be 200 feet tall could it be made of green foam could it right so
made of green foam could it right so
made of green foam could it right so they have many ideas and very much a
they have many ideas and very much a
they have many ideas and very much a great deal of creative thought but what
great deal of creative thought but what
great deal of creative thought but what was troubling is that this longitudinal
was troubling is that this longitudinal
was troubling is that this longitudinal study also demonstrated that the longer
study also demonstrated that the longer
study also demonstrated that the longer these children were in our schools
these children were in our schools
these children were in our schools honestly the less capacity they
honestly the less capacity they
honestly the less capacity they demonstrated for thinking creatively so
demonstrated for thinking creatively so
demonstrated for thinking creatively so I think we clearly have our work cut out
I think we clearly have our work cut out
I think we clearly have our work cut out for us so I invite you to be a thought
for us so I invite you to be a thought
for us so I invite you to be a thought partner with me tonight close together
partner with me tonight close together
partner with me tonight close together here’s I was on film and those in the
here’s I was on film and those in the
here’s I was on film and those in the larger world at some point and think
larger world at some point and think
larger world at some point and think about where’s this movement to restore
about where’s this movement to restore
about where’s this movement to restore focus on the arts going to start and I
focus on the arts going to start and I
focus on the arts going to start and I think why not here I think that why not
think why not here I think that why not
think why not here I think that why not we start that model that had a focus on
we start that model that had a focus on
we start that model that had a focus on creativity mind of performing our
creativity mind of performing our
creativity mind of performing our to music that took center stage why not
to music that took center stage why not
to music that took center stage why not us why not here it’s essential honestly
us why not here it’s essential honestly
us why not here it’s essential honestly that we do something to thoughtfully
that we do something to thoughtfully
that we do something to thoughtfully prepare our students for a world that’s
prepare our students for a world that’s
prepare our students for a world that’s yet to be imagined and that requires
yet to be imagined and that requires
yet to be imagined and that requires creativity I will argue that’s an
creativity I will argue that’s an
creativity I will argue that’s an essential core skill I also want to note
essential core skill I also want to note
essential core skill I also want to note that all the content areas that have
that all the content areas that have
that all the content areas that have been so marginalized with the current
been so marginalized with the current
been so marginalized with the current standards movement high-stakes
standards movement high-stakes
standards movement high-stakes assessment trend which include the fine
assessment trend which include the fine
assessment trend which include the fine arts history music civics those are only
arts history music civics those are only
arts history music civics those are only to name a few that we somehow have not
to name a few that we somehow have not
to name a few that we somehow have not found as much time for us we have our
found as much time for us we have our
found as much time for us we have our standardized tested topics have really
standardized tested topics have really
standardized tested topics have really put us in a position in our country that
put us in a position in our country that
put us in a position in our country that I think marginalizes our ability to
I think marginalizes our ability to
I think marginalizes our ability to problem-solve together creatively and
problem-solve together creatively and
problem-solve together creatively and empathetically I think you can argue
empathetically I think you can argue
empathetically I think you can argue that we’ve lost an entire generation of
that we’ve lost an entire generation of
that we’ve lost an entire generation of students to these content areas because
students to these content areas because
students to these content areas because it’s been almost 20 years that we’ve
it’s been almost 20 years that we’ve
it’s been almost 20 years that we’ve been in this morass the standardized
been in this morass the standardized
been in this morass the standardized testing and high-stakes assessment that
testing and high-stakes assessment that
testing and high-stakes assessment that is almost a generation of students and
is almost a generation of students and
is almost a generation of students and we must reclaim these content areas our
we must reclaim these content areas our
we must reclaim these content areas our community and country needs citizens to
community and country needs citizens to
community and country needs citizens to understand big ideas and can grapple
understand big ideas and can grapple
understand big ideas and can grapple with them authentically so let’s pause
with them authentically so let’s pause
with them authentically so let’s pause for a moment in defying creativity it’s
for a moment in defying creativity it’s
for a moment in defying creativity it’s really the ability to transcend
really the ability to transcend
really the ability to transcend traditional ideas rules patterns
traditional ideas rules patterns
traditional ideas rules patterns relationships and have meaningful new
relationships and have meaningful new
relationships and have meaningful new ideas able to form new interpretations
ideas able to form new interpretations
ideas able to form new interpretations and methods things that we do in many of
and methods things that we do in many of
and methods things that we do in many of the classes we no longer teach think of
the classes we no longer teach think of
the classes we no longer teach think of a time when you learn something you read
a time when you learn something you read
a time when you learn something you read that you really remember today something
that you really remember today something
that you really remember today something a lesson perhaps you learned or a skill
a lesson perhaps you learned or a skill
a lesson perhaps you learned or a skill and what were the key characteristics of
and what were the key characteristics of
and what were the key characteristics of that experience I got a side question
that experience I got a side question
that experience I got a side question many times too many groups around the
many times too many groups around the
many times too many groups around the country and often hear people say that
country and often hear people say that
country and often hear people say that they were able to do things they
they were able to do things they
they were able to do things they believe they could have previously done
believe they could have previously done
believe they could have previously done someone push them a little harder than
someone push them a little harder than
someone push them a little harder than they thought the material was
they thought the material was
they thought the material was challenging intellectually there was an
challenging intellectually there was an
challenging intellectually there was an academic press and maybe it required
academic press and maybe it required
academic press and maybe it required more time more patience more effort and
more time more patience more effort and
more time more patience more effort and more tries at it than initially thought
more tries at it than initially thought
more tries at it than initially thought I also think curiosity as an important
I also think curiosity as an important
I also think curiosity as an important component of creativity and an attribute
component of creativity and an attribute
component of creativity and an attribute perhaps I’m a little obsessive about I’m
perhaps I’m a little obsessive about I’m
perhaps I’m a little obsessive about I’m sure a few details that I think
sure a few details that I think
sure a few details that I think illustrate my issue around being drawn
illustrate my issue around being drawn
illustrate my issue around being drawn to wonder and where we do this today so
to wonder and where we do this today so
to wonder and where we do this today so in fact one of the comments and I’m
in fact one of the comments and I’m
in fact one of the comments and I’m sharing with some of the students up
sharing with some of the students up
sharing with some of the students up front is that humans have 46 chromosomes
front is that humans have 46 chromosomes
front is that humans have 46 chromosomes we all kind of know that right
we all kind of know that right
we all kind of know that right potatoes have 48
hermit crabs up 254 so I wonder about
hermit crabs up 254 so I wonder about that
that
that right so our potatoes genetically more
right so our potatoes genetically more
right so our potatoes genetically more complex than people and what are the
complex than people and what are the
complex than people and what are the implications of that and then I thought
implications of that and then I thought
implications of that and then I thought I couldn’t share that I think I will I
I couldn’t share that I think I will I
I couldn’t share that I think I will I learned this morning while I was
learned this morning while I was
learned this morning while I was visiting a school that when you sneeze
visiting a school that when you sneeze
visiting a school that when you sneeze the projectile mucus moves at about a
the projectile mucus moves at about a
the projectile mucus moves at about a hundred miles an hour you do that right
hundred miles an hour you do that right
hundred miles an hour you do that right so I think that that’s troubling at many
so I think that that’s troubling at many
so I think that that’s troubling at many levels in terms of the construction of
levels in terms of the construction of
levels in terms of the construction of Kleenex and so forth and the German
Kleenex and so forth and the German
Kleenex and so forth and the German issues so I think our minds are drawn to
issues so I think our minds are drawn to
issues so I think our minds are drawn to wonder and to make sense of dissonance
wonder and to make sense of dissonance
wonder and to make sense of dissonance right we’re drawn to a place where we
right we’re drawn to a place where we
right we’re drawn to a place where we want to make sense of something so it
want to make sense of something so it
want to make sense of something so it feels right again and I think that’s
feels right again and I think that’s
feels right again and I think that’s really important in terms of creativity
really important in terms of creativity
really important in terms of creativity and curiosity so I would submit that
and curiosity so I would submit that
and curiosity so I would submit that it’s not the people within the schools
it’s not the people within the schools
it’s not the people within the schools that are responsible for some of this
that are responsible for some of this
that are responsible for some of this creativity Lafayette outstanding
creativity Lafayette outstanding
creativity Lafayette outstanding teachers curious students it’s really
teachers curious students it’s really
teachers curious students it’s really the system we find ourselves in and then
the system we find ourselves in and then
the system we find ourselves in and then if you will federal and state statutes
if you will federal and state statutes
if you will federal and state statutes on the standardized testing piece that
on the standardized testing piece that
on the standardized testing piece that are creating less and less space for
are creating less and less space for
are creating less and less space for what’s really important in the arts I
what’s really important in the arts I
what’s really important in the arts I brought today a couple examples of what
brought today a couple examples of what
brought today a couple examples of what we are doing that are amazing Guillaume
we are doing that are amazing Guillaume
we are doing that are amazing Guillaume ailments art class and or short junior
ailments art class and or short junior
ailments art class and or short junior high
high
high I brought an animal from Eagle for high
I brought an animal from Eagle for high
I brought an animal from Eagle for high school
the students and their advisors a Mills
the students and their advisors a Mills came to my office today to provide it
came to my office today to provide it
came to my office today to provide it and it’s an interesting annual with a
and it’s an interesting annual with a
and it’s an interesting annual with a theme of ecto which means it never ends
theme of ecto which means it never ends
theme of ecto which means it never ends it has no front or back and if you’re
it has no front or back and if you’re
it has no front or back and if you’re interested what that looks like it’s
interested what that looks like it’s
interested what that looks like it’s amazing and ridiculously creative and
amazing and ridiculously creative and
amazing and ridiculously creative and one of the things I asked the students
one of the things I asked the students
one of the things I asked the students possible so how did you do that me like
possible so how did you do that me like
possible so how did you do that me like how did you think of that because it’s
how did you think of that because it’s
how did you think of that because it’s really I think way too quite interesting
really I think way too quite interesting
really I think way too quite interesting and they said well we didn’t want to
and they said well we didn’t want to
and they said well we didn’t want to hear a can’t write we didn’t because it
hear a can’t write we didn’t because it
hear a can’t write we didn’t because it couldn’t have an index at the back that
couldn’t have an index at the back that
couldn’t have an index at the back that maybe we couldn’t do it but we didn’t
maybe we couldn’t do it but we didn’t
maybe we couldn’t do it but we didn’t didn’t stop there we kept blowing you
didn’t stop there we kept blowing you
didn’t stop there we kept blowing you knew we could do it if you had a vision
knew we could do it if you had a vision
knew we could do it if you had a vision for it and acted on it so given a vision
for it and acted on it so given a vision
for it and acted on it so given a vision and acting sometimes KP takes patience
and acting sometimes KP takes patience
and acting sometimes KP takes patience so I want to share with you another
so I want to share with you another
so I want to share with you another example from nature and that’s the
example from nature and that’s the
example from nature and that’s the example of the giant timber bamboo and
example of the giant timber bamboo and
example of the giant timber bamboo and its connection honestly the topics the
its connection honestly the topics the
its connection honestly the topics the school and creativity when you plant a
school and creativity when you plant a
school and creativity when you plant a seed of giant timber bamboo you have to
seed of giant timber bamboo you have to
seed of giant timber bamboo you have to water it for not one not two but really
water it for not one not two but really
water it for not one not two but really three years before you never see
three years before you never see
three years before you never see anything at the ground level but once it
anything at the ground level but once it
anything at the ground level but once it hits the ground level it grows as much
hits the ground level it grows as much
hits the ground level it grows as much as 90 feet 60 days it’s known to grow up
as 90 feet 60 days it’s known to grow up
as 90 feet 60 days it’s known to grow up wouldn’t a half a day that’s amazing so
wouldn’t a half a day that’s amazing so
wouldn’t a half a day that’s amazing so I think that it’s remarkable the quality
I think that it’s remarkable the quality
I think that it’s remarkable the quality and the time of the patience it takes to
and the time of the patience it takes to
and the time of the patience it takes to get there but once it’s there the
get there but once it’s there the
get there but once it’s there the strength is unbelievable so I think
strength is unbelievable so I think
strength is unbelievable so I think about now and I think about the world
about now and I think about the world
about now and I think about the world ahead of us and the one we face today
ahead of us and the one we face today
ahead of us and the one we face today that I was educated for over 40 years
that I was educated for over 40 years
that I was educated for over 40 years ago I know it’s a long time we did not
ago I know it’s a long time we did not
ago I know it’s a long time we did not have calculators cell phones computers
have calculators cell phones computers
have calculators cell phones computers any of those things we still had
any of those things we still had
any of those things we still had antennas not on our heads they run our
antennas not on our heads they run our
antennas not on our heads they run our visions party wines for phones and slide
visions party wines for phones and slide
visions party wines for phones and slide rules for calculation and computation
rules for calculation and computation
rules for calculation and computation yet here I am talking to you about the
yet here I am talking to you about the
yet here I am talking to you about the future so there must be some skills that
future so there must be some skills that
future so there must be some skills that are inherent that are critical and
are inherent that are critical and
are inherent that are critical and important that aren’t just about the
important that aren’t just about the
important that aren’t just about the technology and how to use it so let us
technology and how to use it so let us
technology and how to use it so let us be clear about what we’re talking about
be clear about what we’re talking about
be clear about what we’re talking about in terms of creativity in schools if
in terms of creativity in schools if
in terms of creativity in schools if there’s anything we understand in
there’s anything we understand in
there’s anything we understand in education is the importance of clear
education is the importance of clear
education is the importance of clear targets so whose responsibility is it
targets so whose responsibility is it
targets so whose responsibility is it yours mine
yours mine
yours mine well I would argue it’s ours sitting in
well I would argue it’s ours sitting in
well I would argue it’s ours sitting in this room tonight we have a
this room tonight we have a
this room tonight we have a responsibility to improve the time of
responsibility to improve the time of
responsibility to improve the time of space we have for creativity and I think
space we have for creativity and I think
space we have for creativity and I think about our reasons your teaching plan and
about our reasons your teaching plan and
about our reasons your teaching plan and some of the language that we have there
some of the language that we have there
some of the language that we have there the epoch of lifelong learning is the
the epoch of lifelong learning is the
the epoch of lifelong learning is the catalyst for growth and continuous
catalyst for growth and continuous
catalyst for growth and continuous improvement empowers the journeys of our
improvement empowers the journeys of our
improvement empowers the journeys of our students educators in our community
students educators in our community
students educators in our community toward excellence and learning into the
toward excellence and learning into the
toward excellence and learning into the future will generate it together
future will generate it together
future will generate it together everybody grows every day so as we think
everybody grows every day so as we think
everybody grows every day so as we think about this and we think about the
about this and we think about the
about this and we think about the constraints that we have on our
constraints that we have on our
constraints that we have on our creativity I’d like to think about that
creativity I’d like to think about that
creativity I’d like to think about that topic as an enduring understanding and
topic as an enduring understanding and
topic as an enduring understanding and how I connect really to all the content
how I connect really to all the content
how I connect really to all the content areas it’s not just a separate class
areas it’s not just a separate class
areas it’s not just a separate class taught third period right because we
taught third period right because we
taught third period right because we probably wouldn’t have time for it so we
probably wouldn’t have time for it so we
probably wouldn’t have time for it so we need to integrate creative thinking and
need to integrate creative thinking and
need to integrate creative thinking and problem-solving into everything we do
problem-solving into everything we do
problem-solving into everything we do too long that thinking has been
too long that thinking has been
too long that thinking has been documented and focused on and it’s been
documented and focused on and it’s been
documented and focused on and it’s been ignored by again in the high-stakes
ignored by again in the high-stakes
ignored by again in the high-stakes testing content areas so I think at this
testing content areas so I think at this
testing content areas so I think at this point we would achieve these goals and
point we would achieve these goals and
point we would achieve these goals and providing more creativity in schools
providing more creativity in schools
providing more creativity in schools because our future really
because our future really
because our future really depend on too often we’ve had students
depend on too often we’ve had students
depend on too often we’ve had students across this amazing country of courses
across this amazing country of courses
across this amazing country of courses that they wanted to take not be able to
that they wanted to take not be able to
that they wanted to take not be able to take them because they haven’t been able
take them because they haven’t been able
take them because they haven’t been able to fit it into a schedule and often to
to fit it into a schedule and often to
to fit it into a schedule and often to take courses we believe are more
take courses we believe are more
take courses we believe are more important or required often these core
important or required often these core
important or required often these core skills that are taught in isolation with
skills that are taught in isolation with
skills that are taught in isolation with less and less relevance as those
less and less relevance as those
less and less relevance as those opportunities for the application of
opportunities for the application of
opportunities for the application of those core classes have really been cut
those core classes have really been cut
those core classes have really been cut back due to funding shortfalls and also
back due to funding shortfalls and also
back due to funding shortfalls and also really honestly the the measurements
really honestly the the measurements
really honestly the the measurements that have been placed upon us so I would
that have been placed upon us so I would
that have been placed upon us so I would submit to you that our system will
submit to you that our system will
submit to you that our system will always produce what it’s designed to
always produce what it’s designed to
always produce what it’s designed to produce what we need to do is have the
produce what we need to do is have the
produce what we need to do is have the courage to talk about it together and
courage to talk about it together and
courage to talk about it together and talk about how we’re going to redesign
talk about how we’re going to redesign
talk about how we’re going to redesign that for us so I think that one of the
that for us so I think that one of the
that for us so I think that one of the things we need to talk about is that
things we need to talk about is that
things we need to talk about is that there is an art and a science to
there is an art and a science to
there is an art and a science to teaching and I believe that if we can
teaching and I believe that if we can
teaching and I believe that if we can focus on that we can understand that are
focus on that we can understand that are
focus on that we can understand that are all those facets that make it a critical
all those facets that make it a critical
all those facets that make it a critical element in terms of creativity and
element in terms of creativity and
element in terms of creativity and imagination and couldn’t we use a nation
imagination and couldn’t we use a nation
imagination and couldn’t we use a nation that uses or collaborative resourceful
that uses or collaborative resourceful
that uses or collaborative resourceful ways I think the lack of the coursework
ways I think the lack of the coursework
ways I think the lack of the coursework in some areas of civics and so forth and
in some areas of civics and so forth and
in some areas of civics and so forth and really created some issues for us
really created some issues for us
really created some issues for us locally and nationally so at this point
locally and nationally so at this point
locally and nationally so at this point I want to share a story and now we have
I want to share a story and now we have
I want to share a story and now we have a lot of young people in the room the
a lot of young people in the room the
a lot of young people in the room the shirts a story that really I think
shirts a story that really I think
shirts a story that really I think illustrates innovation that occurred in
illustrates innovation that occurred in
illustrates innovation that occurred in 1949 and some of you may know the story
1949 and some of you may know the story
1949 and some of you may know the story but I’ll be brief so at this point you
but I’ll be brief so at this point you
but I’ll be brief so at this point you want to share the story of 15
want to share the story of 15
want to share the story of 15 smokejumpers who jumped from planes into
smokejumpers who jumped from planes into
smokejumpers who jumped from planes into a raging fire along the upper Missouri
a raging fire along the upper Missouri
a raging fire along the upper Missouri River area Montana in 1949 this Canyon
River area Montana in 1949 this Canyon
River area Montana in 1949 this Canyon was called the Mann Gulch Canyon many of
was called the Mann Gulch Canyon many of
was called the Mann Gulch Canyon many of these firefighters were about 18 or 19
these firefighters were about 18 or 19
these firefighters were about 18 or 19 years old so the age of some of you
years old so the age of some of you
years old so the age of some of you room the fire started as a result of a
room the fire started as a result of a
room the fire started as a result of a lightning strike on the south side of
lightning strike on the south side of
lightning strike on the south side of the five Mile Canyon known as man Gulch
the five Mile Canyon known as man Gulch
the five Mile Canyon known as man Gulch it was a very hot day in the Montana
it was a very hot day in the Montana
it was a very hot day in the Montana Canyon the temperatures sizzling at 97
Canyon the temperatures sizzling at 97
Canyon the temperatures sizzling at 97 degrees after parachuting into the fire
degrees after parachuting into the fire
degrees after parachuting into the fire area the crew began fighting the fire
area the crew began fighting the fire
area the crew began fighting the fire when unexpected and very strong winds
when unexpected and very strong winds
when unexpected and very strong winds picked up the intense heat of the fire
picked up the intense heat of the fire
picked up the intense heat of the fire along with the wind that came off of the
along with the wind that came off of the
along with the wind that came off of the river pushed the planes up the gulch and
river pushed the planes up the gulch and
river pushed the planes up the gulch and into the fast burning grass this blow-up
into the fast burning grass this blow-up
into the fast burning grass this blow-up of the fire caused it to expand by 3,000
of the fire caused it to expand by 3,000
of the fire caused it to expand by 3,000 acres in just 10 minutes and as you know
acres in just 10 minutes and as you know
acres in just 10 minutes and as you know fire travels faster up a slope catches
fire travels faster up a slope catches
fire travels faster up a slope catches and catches and so forth and the slope
and catches and so forth and the slope
and catches and so forth and the slope on the north side is a 75% incline it
on the north side is a 75% incline it
on the north side is a 75% incline it made it really difficult for the
made it really difficult for the
made it really difficult for the firefighters to run in fact the fire
firefighters to run in fact the fire
firefighters to run in fact the fire jumped the river and the goal should be
jumped the river and the goal should be
jumped the river and the goal should be on chasing the firefighters at an
on chasing the firefighters at an
on chasing the firefighters at an unbelievable rate of speed the leader of
unbelievable rate of speed the leader of
unbelievable rate of speed the leader of the group shouted to them to drop their
the group shouted to them to drop their
the group shouted to them to drop their heavy gear they were running with all
heavy gear they were running with all
heavy gear they were running with all their gear their backpacks full of
their gear their backpacks full of
their gear their backpacks full of shovels and spades and firefighting gear
shovels and spades and firefighting gear
shovels and spades and firefighting gear while they’re trying to outrun a fire
while they’re trying to outrun a fire
while they’re trying to outrun a fire moving at the rate of three thousand
moving at the rate of three thousand
moving at the rate of three thousand three thousand acres of ten minutes at
three thousand acres of ten minutes at
three thousand acres of ten minutes at some point it became apparent that they
some point it became apparent that they
some point it became apparent that they would not be able to outrun the fire at
would not be able to outrun the fire at
would not be able to outrun the fire at that point the leader Wagner Dodge made
that point the leader Wagner Dodge made
that point the leader Wagner Dodge made a decision with the fire less than 100
a decision with the fire less than 100
a decision with the fire less than 100 yards behind them he took out a match
yards behind them he took out a match
yards behind them he took out a match this is the leader of the group in the
this is the leader of the group in the
this is the leader of the group in the middle of running past a forest fire and
middle of running past a forest fire and
middle of running past a forest fire and I think I can light it he lit the match
I think I can light it he lit the match
I think I can light it he lit the match and set fire to the grass right in front
and set fire to the grass right in front
and set fire to the grass right in front of them the grass they hadn’t gotten to
of them the grass they hadn’t gotten to
of them the grass they hadn’t gotten to yet enjoying so he was attempting to
yet enjoying so he was attempting to
yet enjoying so he was attempting to create an escape fire he felt like if he
create an escape fire he felt like if he
create an escape fire he felt like if he light a fire and burn the grass ahead of
light a fire and burn the grass ahead of
light a fire and burn the grass ahead of the
the
the and they jump in the firewood around
and they jump in the firewood around
and they jump in the firewood around them to get to the grass that haven’t
them to get to the grass that haven’t
them to get to the grass that haven’t yet been burned so he asked he screamed
yet been burned so he asked he screamed
yet been burned so he asked he screamed at the crew jump in jump in but they
at the crew jump in jump in but they
at the crew jump in jump in but they never trained for that the estate fire
never trained for that the estate fire
never trained for that the estate fire was something completely new his crew
was something completely new his crew
was something completely new his crew did not choose to stay in the circle
did not choose to stay in the circle
did not choose to stay in the circle they kept fronting even having dropped
they kept fronting even having dropped
they kept fronting even having dropped most of their here they could not outrun
most of their here they could not outrun
most of their here they could not outrun the fire including dodge only three of
the fire including dodge only three of
the fire including dodge only three of the team’s survived that day the man in
the team’s survived that day the man in
the team’s survived that day the man in mulch fire remains a lasting mystery of
mulch fire remains a lasting mystery of
mulch fire remains a lasting mystery of epic proportions it also became the
epic proportions it also became the
epic proportions it also became the first time that wildfire forest by to
first time that wildfire forest by to
first time that wildfire forest by to use something called an escape fire so
use something called an escape fire so
use something called an escape fire so what I think that that is interesting is
what I think that that is interesting is
what I think that that is interesting is to me it shows the importance of taking
to me it shows the importance of taking
to me it shows the importance of taking risks when we talk about creativity and
risks when we talk about creativity and
risks when we talk about creativity and do an innovative ways of doing things we
do an innovative ways of doing things we
do an innovative ways of doing things we encourage young people to take risks and
encourage young people to take risks and
encourage young people to take risks and we argue that’s how you learn but our
we argue that’s how you learn but our
we argue that’s how you learn but our structures and systems sometimes are not
structures and systems sometimes are not
structures and systems sometimes are not designed to support that risk-taking
designed to support that risk-taking
designed to support that risk-taking indeed our grading systems sometimes
indeed our grading systems sometimes
indeed our grading systems sometimes reinforce staying safe and making
reinforce staying safe and making
reinforce staying safe and making failure a dangerous proposition
failure a dangerous proposition
failure a dangerous proposition do I take a class that’s really
do I take a class that’s really
do I take a class that’s really challenging or really interesting mm-hmm
challenging or really interesting mm-hmm
challenging or really interesting mm-hmm I don’t know my GPA might interfere with
I don’t know my GPA might interfere with
I don’t know my GPA might interfere with my post-secondary plans maybe not so as
my post-secondary plans maybe not so as
my post-secondary plans maybe not so as a system we have some work to do to
a system we have some work to do to
a system we have some work to do to we’re going to have to make taking risks
we’re going to have to make taking risks
we’re going to have to make taking risks safer if we’re going to enable and
safer if we’re going to enable and
safer if we’re going to enable and support truly creative thinking we don’t
support truly creative thinking we don’t
support truly creative thinking we don’t what we can’t quit here in North Shore
what we can’t quit here in North Shore
what we can’t quit here in North Shore we are amazing we need to continue that
we are amazing we need to continue that
we are amazing we need to continue that as we make space just as Wade Dodge made
as we make space just as Wade Dodge made
as we make space just as Wade Dodge made spaces as escape
spaces as escape
spaces as escape fire we need to be able to have those
fire we need to be able to have those
fire we need to be able to have those safe places for students to be creative
safe places for students to be creative
safe places for students to be creative and truly to try innovative ideas
and truly to try innovative ideas
and truly to try innovative ideas because failure is part of that process
because failure is part of that process
because failure is part of that process there’s been no scientist musician
there’s been no scientist musician
there’s been no scientist musician dramatist artists is that their first
dramatist artists is that their first
dramatist artists is that their first time created a masterpiece didn’t happen
time created a masterpiece didn’t happen
time created a masterpiece didn’t happen there’s a lot of failure that happened
there’s a lot of failure that happened
there’s a lot of failure that happened before they were able to be that amazing
before they were able to be that amazing
before they were able to be that amazing person we read about but we need to make
person we read about but we need to make
person we read about but we need to make that safer for our young people and our
that safer for our young people and our
that safer for our young people and our staff our teachers I think feel just as
staff our teachers I think feel just as
staff our teachers I think feel just as handcuffed if I try something different
handcuffed if I try something different
handcuffed if I try something different what if it doesn’t work right but the
what if it doesn’t work right but the
what if it doesn’t work right but the answer is not to keep running so I’m
answer is not to keep running so I’m
answer is not to keep running so I’m going to share with you just a last poem
going to share with you just a last poem
going to share with you just a last poem from one of our other teachers to
from one of our other teachers to
from one of our other teachers to retiring this year Tim Curtis has taught
retiring this year Tim Curtis has taught
retiring this year Tim Curtis has taught for many years at Eagle Moore high
for many years at Eagle Moore high
for many years at Eagle Moore high school and I think he coucher creatively
school and I think he coucher creatively
school and I think he coucher creatively what it’s like to be a teacher here in
what it’s like to be a teacher here in
what it’s like to be a teacher here in North Shore and kind of how a difficult
North Shore and kind of how a difficult
North Shore and kind of how a difficult it is to say goodbye so I’ll try to read
it is to say goodbye so I’ll try to read
it is to say goodbye so I’ll try to read it well he began teaching at North Shore
it well he began teaching at North Shore
it well he began teaching at North Shore at Engle more high school in 1972 party
at Engle more high school in 1972 party
at Engle more high school in 1972 party line within the limits of time learning
line within the limits of time learning
line within the limits of time learning to say goodbye is really saying you know
to say goodbye is really saying you know
to say goodbye is really saying you know lightly acknowledge that an end does
lightly acknowledge that an end does
lightly acknowledge that an end does exist that the truth is it is been there
exist that the truth is it is been there
exist that the truth is it is been there waiting since the first days smell the
waiting since the first days smell the
waiting since the first days smell the familiar smell of a wax classroom floor
familiar smell of a wax classroom floor
familiar smell of a wax classroom floor holding desks which held students who
holding desks which held students who
holding desks which held students who help books that held ideas that other
help books that held ideas that other
help books that held ideas that other words all the while forming numerous
words all the while forming numerous
words all the while forming numerous circles of motion that whose details now
circles of motion that whose details now
circles of motion that whose details now have become faint memories as they to
have become faint memories as they to
have become faint memories as they to fade away which to a large degree allows
fade away which to a large degree allows
fade away which to a large degree allows you to keep all the tomorrow’s you ever
you to keep all the tomorrow’s you ever
you to keep all the tomorrow’s you ever planned for still it’s the small way
planned for still it’s the small way
planned for still it’s the small way ever there is you now look as it
ever there is you now look as it
ever there is you now look as it out over what will forever be an empty
out over what will forever be an empty
out over what will forever be an empty classroom I think that’s a powerful way
classroom I think that’s a powerful way
classroom I think that’s a powerful way to communicate perhaps a more powerful
to communicate perhaps a more powerful
to communicate perhaps a more powerful than a mento learning leads to change
than a mento learning leads to change
than a mento learning leads to change and change leads to growth and new
and change leads to growth and new
and change leads to growth and new possibilities learning into the future
possibilities learning into the future
possibilities learning into the future is a precondition for growth of a
is a precondition for growth of a
is a precondition for growth of a passageway into the life they all
passageway into the life they all
passageway into the life they all imagine for one another as we embrace
imagine for one another as we embrace
imagine for one another as we embrace learning into the future and the
learning into the future and the
learning into the future and the creative possibilities necessary we also
creative possibilities necessary we also
creative possibilities necessary we also have an ethic within our schools and
have an ethic within our schools and
have an ethic within our schools and community to steadily advance toward
community to steadily advance toward
community to steadily advance toward accomplishing our aspirational goals for
accomplishing our aspirational goals for
accomplishing our aspirational goals for all of our students and the hopes and
all of our students and the hopes and
all of our students and the hopes and dreams of our community our courage and
dreams of our community our courage and
dreams of our community our courage and conviction will provide the strength be
conviction will provide the strength be
conviction will provide the strength be here in North Shore need to become the
here in North Shore need to become the
here in North Shore need to become the global model for public education join
global model for public education join
global model for public education join our journey and edge of the
our journey and edge of the
our journey and edge of the possibilities and thank you
possibilities and thank you
possibilities and thank you [Applause]
”
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