well thank you I apologize in advance because the very play the very nature of
because the very play the very nature of
because the very play the very nature of the theme of this event my comments are
the theme of this event my comments are
the theme of this event my comments are gonna be somewhat self-indulgent since
gonna be somewhat self-indulgent since
gonna be somewhat self-indulgent since the theme is Who am I and I’m intending
the theme is Who am I and I’m intending
the theme is Who am I and I’m intending what I’m going to share with you
what I’m going to share with you
what I’m going to share with you primarily for the teenagers and young
primarily for the teenagers and young
primarily for the teenagers and young adults in the audience so let’s go so
adults in the audience so let’s go so
adults in the audience so let’s go so Who am I I’m a lot of different people
Who am I I’m a lot of different people
Who am I I’m a lot of different people teacher educator an author a journalist
teacher educator an author a journalist
teacher educator an author a journalist I’ve spoken at three TEDx is prior to
I’ve spoken at three TEDx is prior to
I’ve spoken at three TEDx is prior to this one which no doubt you’ll question
this one which no doubt you’ll question
this one which no doubt you’ll question after you see his performance I’m a
after you see his performance I’m a
after you see his performance I’m a lapsed jazz musician software developer
lapsed jazz musician software developer
lapsed jazz musician software developer consultant professor friend stepparent
consultant professor friend stepparent
consultant professor friend stepparent grandfather recently to Prince Theodor
grandfather recently to Prince Theodor
grandfather recently to Prince Theodor in the matching outfit and I’ve had a
in the matching outfit and I’ve had a
in the matching outfit and I’ve had a great number of joyous accomplishments
great number of joyous accomplishments
great number of joyous accomplishments in my rather bizarre untrod path of a
in my rather bizarre untrod path of a
in my rather bizarre untrod path of a life I’ve been teaching teachers how to
life I’ve been teaching teachers how to
life I’ve been teaching teachers how to be better at what they do and make the
be better at what they do and make the
be better at what they do and make the world a better place for kids since I
world a better place for kids since I
world a better place for kids since I was 19 years old I taught graduate
was 19 years old I taught graduate
was 19 years old I taught graduate school before I had a bachelor’s degree
school before I had a bachelor’s degree
school before I had a bachelor’s degree I worked in the first schools where
I worked in the first schools where
I worked in the first schools where every kid had a laptop computer and
every kid had a laptop computer and
every kid had a laptop computer and helped teachers all over the world make
helped teachers all over the world make
helped teachers all over the world make sense of the future I created one of the
sense of the future I created one of the
sense of the future I created one of the first line line master’s degree programs
first line line master’s degree programs
first line line master’s degree programs I’ve taught everything from preschool
I’ve taught everything from preschool
I’ve taught everything from preschool students through to through doctoral
students through to through doctoral
students through to through doctoral level I’ve traveled more than two and a
level I’ve traveled more than two and a
level I’ve traveled more than two and a half million miles co-authored a book
half million miles co-authored a book
half million miles co-authored a book earned the PhD in science mathematics
earned the PhD in science mathematics
earned the PhD in science mathematics education have been to the Grammy Awards
education have been to the Grammy Awards
education have been to the Grammy Awards twice ten years apart for a project I
twice ten years apart for a project I
twice ten years apart for a project I helped out on one-one-one lost I’ve been
helped out on one-one-one lost I’ve been
helped out on one-one-one lost I’ve been invited to the White House I’ve been
invited to the White House I’ve been
invited to the White House I’ve been able to work with many of my
able to work with many of my
able to work with many of my professional heroes Seymour papper
professional heroes Seymour papper
professional heroes Seymour papper that’s Jerome Bruner Marvin Minsky and
that’s Jerome Bruner Marvin Minsky and
that’s Jerome Bruner Marvin Minsky and I’ve also gotten to spend a great deal
I’ve also gotten to spend a great deal
I’ve also gotten to spend a great deal of time with some of the world’s finest
of time with some of the world’s finest
of time with some of the world’s finest jazz musicians and those two ideas of
jazz musicians and those two ideas of
jazz musicians and those two ideas of being able to spend time in the company
being able to spend time in the company
being able to spend time in the company of people who help me learn and bring
of people who help me learn and bring
of people who help me learn and bring joy and purpose and a sense of belonging
joy and purpose and a sense of belonging
joy and purpose and a sense of belonging to the world are really important themes
to the world are really important themes
to the world are really important themes that it’s talk
that it’s talk
that it’s talk so who cares about what I think how did
so who cares about what I think how did
so who cares about what I think how did all this happen that’s a photograph of
all this happen that’s a photograph of
all this happen that’s a photograph of me during my magician period I went back
me during my magician period I went back
me during my magician period I went back and forth between wanting to be a
and forth between wanting to be a
and forth between wanting to be a magician and J Edgar Hoover was kind of
magician and J Edgar Hoover was kind of
magician and J Edgar Hoover was kind of a troubled childhood
a troubled childhood
a troubled childhood so something convenient truths k12 was a
so something convenient truths k12 was a
so something convenient truths k12 was a quite miserable experience for me I
quite miserable experience for me I
quite miserable experience for me I realized around first grade that most of
realized around first grade that most of
realized around first grade that most of what the teachers wanted me to learn
what the teachers wanted me to learn
what the teachers wanted me to learn really didn’t matter and that turned out
really didn’t matter and that turned out
really didn’t matter and that turned out to serve me very well to this very day
to serve me very well to this very day
to serve me very well to this very day when I was in fourth grade I realized
when I was in fourth grade I realized
when I was in fourth grade I realized that if I painted everything black on a
that if I painted everything black on a
that if I painted everything black on a regular basis I could get the Child
regular basis I could get the Child
regular basis I could get the Child Study team to come in and evaluate me
Study team to come in and evaluate me
Study team to come in and evaluate me all the time and that was a lot more
all the time and that was a lot more
all the time and that was a lot more interesting than spelling or penmanship
interesting than spelling or penmanship
interesting than spelling or penmanship or you know the five kinds of
or you know the five kinds of
or you know the five kinds of invertebrates they were trying to teach
invertebrates they were trying to teach
invertebrates they were trying to teach me despite my miserable school
me despite my miserable school
me despite my miserable school experience two things stand out one is
experience two things stand out one is
experience two things stand out one is public schools where I fell in love with
public schools where I fell in love with
public schools where I fell in love with music politics computer programming all
music politics computer programming all
music politics computer programming all the things that bring joy and purpose
the things that bring joy and purpose
the things that bring joy and purpose and meaning and beauty to my life were
and meaning and beauty to my life were
and meaning and beauty to my life were things that I learned in a public middle
things that I learned in a public middle
things that I learned in a public middle school in Wayne New Jersey and one of
school in Wayne New Jersey and one of
school in Wayne New Jersey and one of the reasons why I’m so passionate as an
the reasons why I’m so passionate as an
the reasons why I’m so passionate as an advocate for making schools better
advocate for making schools better
advocate for making schools better places for kids is because I’ll be
places for kids is because I’ll be
places for kids is because I’ll be damned if anyone else will deprive kids
damned if anyone else will deprive kids
damned if anyone else will deprive kids of that quality of experience for future
of that quality of experience for future
of that quality of experience for future generations
generations
generations school has a fundamental responsibility
school has a fundamental responsibility
school has a fundamental responsibility to introduce children to things they
to introduce children to things they
to introduce children to things they don’t yet know they love and I fell in
don’t yet know they love and I fell in
don’t yet know they love and I fell in love with things that I didn’t know
love with things that I didn’t know
love with things that I didn’t know about because of teachers who loved what
about because of teachers who loved what
about because of teachers who loved what they did and were expert at it I always
they did and were expert at it I always
they did and were expert at it I always hung out with teachers even the ones who
hung out with teachers even the ones who
hung out with teachers even the ones who abuse me
abuse me
abuse me I started me Berkeley College music on a
I started me Berkeley College music on a
I started me Berkeley College music on a scholarship then my sitter beau lack of
scholarship then my sitter beau lack of
scholarship then my sitter beau lack of talent caught up with me and I decided
talent caught up with me and I decided
talent caught up with me and I decided to become an educator I spent seven and
to become an educator I spent seven and
to become an educator I spent seven and a half years as an undergraduate
a half years as an undergraduate
a half years as an undergraduate full-time sometimes summers included
full-time sometimes summers included
full-time sometimes summers included it’s not because I was failing
it’s not because I was failing
it’s not because I was failing everything was because I spent three and
everything was because I spent three and
everything was because I spent three and a half years taking courses that looked
a half years taking courses that looked
a half years taking courses that looked interesting and then found out that that
interesting and then found out that that
interesting and then found out that that wasn’t allowed you had to take courses
wasn’t allowed you had to take courses
wasn’t allowed you had to take courses that were prescribed I don’t regret a
that were prescribed I don’t regret a
that were prescribed I don’t regret a minute of that I skipped my master’s
minute of that I skipped my master’s
minute of that I skipped my master’s degree I got a BA in elementary
degree I got a BA in elementary
degree I got a BA in elementary education I earned the PhD
education I earned the PhD
education I earned the PhD in mathematics and science education by
in mathematics and science education by
in mathematics and science education by creating an alternative environment
creating an alternative environment
creating an alternative environment inside a prison for teenagers in the
inside a prison for teenagers in the
inside a prison for teenagers in the state of Maine so what a responsible
state of Maine so what a responsible
state of Maine so what a responsible advice can I share based on this bizarre
advice can I share based on this bizarre
advice can I share based on this bizarre career path and life trajectory that
career path and life trajectory that
career path and life trajectory that I’ve experienced my simple advice is
I’ve experienced my simple advice is
I’ve experienced my simple advice is care less care less about prerequisites
care less care less about prerequisites
care less care less about prerequisites the name of the University you might or
the name of the University you might or
the name of the University you might or will attend there are eight universities
will attend there are eight universities
will attend there are eight universities in the world that are hard to get into
in the world that are hard to get into
in the world that are hard to get into and tens of thousands of others where
and tens of thousands of others where
and tens of thousands of others where you can enjoy a fantastic education you
you can enjoy a fantastic education you
you can enjoy a fantastic education you should find the place that set suits you
should find the place that set suits you
should find the place that set suits you you should apply to the universities
you should apply to the universities
you should apply to the universities that you have a reasonable chance of
that you have a reasonable chance of
that you have a reasonable chance of getting into don’t just apply to NYU
getting into don’t just apply to NYU
getting into don’t just apply to NYU because it’s easy to spell find the
because it’s easy to spell find the
because it’s easy to spell find the faculty member whose life’s work is
faculty member whose life’s work is
faculty member whose life’s work is something that you care about who might
something that you care about who might
something that you care about who might mentor you and go there despite having a
mentor you and go there despite having a
mentor you and go there despite having a pretty solid C average in high school
pretty solid C average in high school
pretty solid C average in high school with zero AP classes and and SAT scores
with zero AP classes and and SAT scores
with zero AP classes and and SAT scores that were quite mediocre if there was
that were quite mediocre if there was
that were quite mediocre if there was never a moment of doubt that I was going
never a moment of doubt that I was going
never a moment of doubt that I was going to go to university after high school
to go to university after high school
to go to university after high school that’s that’s one of the greatness the
that’s that’s one of the greatness the
that’s that’s one of the greatness the greatest aspects of the kind of Western
greatest aspects of the kind of Western
greatest aspects of the kind of Western tradition we should care less about
tradition we should care less about
tradition we should care less about dubious traditions and conventional
dubious traditions and conventional
dubious traditions and conventional wisdom and other people’s expectations
wisdom and other people’s expectations
wisdom and other people’s expectations and preparing for the real world
and preparing for the real world
and preparing for the real world when I hear educators in particular
when I hear educators in particular
when I hear educators in particular talking about preparing kids for the
talking about preparing kids for the
talking about preparing kids for the real world I know one of about two
real world I know one of about two
real world I know one of about two things two things is about to follow one
things two things is about to follow one
things two things is about to follow one something the real world is really bad
something the real world is really bad
something the real world is really bad and two they have no clue what the real
and two they have no clue what the real
and two they have no clue what the real world is like they have this cartoon
world is like they have this cartoon
world is like they have this cartoon version of it that we’re preparing kids
version of it that we’re preparing kids
version of it that we’re preparing kids for the past rather than an uncertain
for the past rather than an uncertain
for the past rather than an uncertain future the best thing that educators can
future the best thing that educators can
future the best thing that educators can do is teach kids how to solve the
do is teach kids how to solve the
do is teach kids how to solve the problems that no educator is even
problems that no educator is even
problems that no educator is even anticipated so what should you care more
anticipated so what should you care more
anticipated so what should you care more about you can’t worry about yourself
about you can’t worry about yourself
about you can’t worry about yourself other’s politics the planet and find
other’s politics the planet and find
other’s politics the planet and find ways to bring joy beauty peace and
ways to bring joy beauty peace and
ways to bring joy beauty peace and purpose to your life
purpose to your life
purpose to your life you never have to ask why do I need to
you never have to ask why do I need to
you never have to ask why do I need to know this when you’re doing something
know this when you’re doing something
know this when you’re doing something that matters to you and asking why do I
that matters to you and asking why do I
that matters to you and asking why do I need to know this is a legitimate
need to know this is a legitimate
need to know this is a legitimate question your teen years are the years
question your teen years are the years
question your teen years are the years when you become Olympians chefs dancers
when you become Olympians chefs dancers
when you become Olympians chefs dancers musicians scientists politicians even if
musicians scientists politicians even if
musicians scientists politicians even if your crummy at it and more importantly
your crummy at it and more importantly
your crummy at it and more importantly even if you change your mind later you
even if you change your mind later you
even if you change your mind later you get to do that I don’t have a laser
get to do that I don’t have a laser
get to do that I don’t have a laser pointer but I’m the creepy trumpet
pointer but I’m the creepy trumpet
pointer but I’m the creepy trumpet player with the maracas dressed like an
player with the maracas dressed like an
player with the maracas dressed like an Italian busboy in that photo you know
Italian busboy in that photo you know
Italian busboy in that photo you know every kid should be prepared for college
every kid should be prepared for college
every kid should be prepared for college in the real world even if they decide to
in the real world even if they decide to
in the real world even if they decide to become a plumber but school shouldn’t
become a plumber but school shouldn’t
become a plumber but school shouldn’t decide who gets to make those decisions
decide who gets to make those decisions
decide who gets to make those decisions and adults should stop lying to children
and adults should stop lying to children
and adults should stop lying to children about what it means to be prepared for
about what it means to be prepared for
about what it means to be prepared for university in the real world so I want
university in the real world so I want
university in the real world so I want to tell you about my daughter Yvonne for
to tell you about my daughter Yvonne for
to tell you about my daughter Yvonne for a moment I have three adult children
a moment I have three adult children
a moment I have three adult children Yvonne is the youngest Yvonne came home
Yvonne is the youngest Yvonne came home
Yvonne is the youngest Yvonne came home from school in ninth grade and she was
from school in ninth grade and she was
from school in ninth grade and she was putting her schedule together for the
putting her schedule together for the
putting her schedule together for the next year and we said what are you gonna
next year and we said what are you gonna
next year and we said what are you gonna take and she said I want to take art we
take and she said I want to take art we
take and she said I want to take art we said great take art she says yeah they
said great take art she says yeah they
said great take art she says yeah they won’t let me so what do you mean they
won’t let me so what do you mean they
won’t let me so what do you mean they won’t let you know they’ll be mad at me
won’t let you know they’ll be mad at me
won’t let you know they’ll be mad at me they want me to take math and at least
they want me to take math and at least
they want me to take math and at least in California where I live children are
in California where I live children are
in California where I live children are now taking algebra in utero so that by
now taking algebra in utero so that by
now taking algebra in utero so that by the end of ninth grade somehow you can
the end of ninth grade somehow you can
the end of ninth grade somehow you can already have four years of high school
already have four years of high school
already have four years of high school math under your belt and I said well
math under your belt and I said well
math under your belt and I said well you’ll take more math in a couple of
you’ll take more math in a couple of
you’ll take more math in a couple of years when your schedule fins out but
years when your schedule fins out but
years when your schedule fins out but take art it’s not they’re really kind of
take art it’s not they’re really kind of
take art it’s not they’re really kind of not gonna allow it
not gonna allow it
not gonna allow it I said I’ll write a letter dear guidance
I said I’ll write a letter dear guidance
I said I’ll write a letter dear guidance counselor please allow Yvonne to take
counselor please allow Yvonne to take
counselor please allow Yvonne to take art instead of math if you have any
art instead of math if you have any
art instead of math if you have any questions don’t hesitate to call
questions don’t hesitate to call
questions don’t hesitate to call unfortunately the phone rang the next
unfortunately the phone rang the next
unfortunately the phone rang the next day and I answered it it was the
day and I answered it it was the
day and I answered it it was the guidance counselor who said hi I’m
guidance counselor who said hi I’m
guidance counselor who said hi I’m Yvonne’s guidance counselor we received
Yvonne’s guidance counselor we received
Yvonne’s guidance counselor we received your letter I just want to let you know
your letter I just want to let you know
your letter I just want to let you know that we think it’s a very bad idea for
that we think it’s a very bad idea for
that we think it’s a very bad idea for her to take art instead of math I said
her to take art instead of math I said
her to take art instead of math I said great thanks for calling and she don’t
great thanks for calling and she don’t
great thanks for calling and she don’t know no don’t hang up
know no don’t hang up
know no don’t hang up and I said no we actually like her to be
and I said no we actually like her to be
and I said no we actually like her to be in or instead of math yeah we find it’s
in or instead of math yeah we find it’s
in or instead of math yeah we find it’s very unconventional why well if the kids
very unconventional why well if the kids
very unconventional why well if the kids skip math for a year we find that it
skip math for a year we find that it
skip math for a year we find that it leaks out well I don’t subscribe to the
leaks out well I don’t subscribe to the
leaks out well I don’t subscribe to the math leaking theory and I said I really
math leaking theory and I said I really
math leaking theory and I said I really wish you’d honor our request as parents
wish you’d honor our request as parents
wish you’d honor our request as parents so that our child take art instead of
so that our child take art instead of
so that our child take art instead of math from
math from
math from this is very unusual I’m going to have
this is very unusual I’m going to have
this is very unusual I’m going to have to talk to the principal or the Pope or
to talk to the principal or the Pope or
to talk to the principal or the Pope or something
something
something so Yvonne took art that year and then
so Yvonne took art that year and then
so Yvonne took art that year and then she took more math she had a couple AP
she took more math she had a couple AP
she took more math she had a couple AP classes she had pretty good grades she
classes she had pretty good grades she
classes she had pretty good grades she had pretty good scores she got accepted
had pretty good scores she got accepted
had pretty good scores she got accepted to seven of the best liberal arts
to seven of the best liberal arts
to seven of the best liberal arts colleges in America because she was an
colleges in America because she was an
colleges in America because she was an interesting kid who did a lot of
interesting kid who did a lot of
interesting kid who did a lot of interesting things outside of school as
interesting things outside of school as
interesting things outside of school as well as inside school she was at Bard
well as inside school she was at Bard
well as inside school she was at Bard College her first semester and she took
College her first semester and she took
College her first semester and she took a bunch of humanities courses Bard
a bunch of humanities courses Bard
a bunch of humanities courses Bard College is a place where they don’t
College is a place where they don’t
College is a place where they don’t allow you to think about a major until
allow you to think about a major until
allow you to think about a major until the end of your second year you have to
the end of your second year you have to
the end of your second year you have to take courses at about nine different
take courses at about nine different
take courses at about nine different disciplines and she got she got a grade
disciplines and she got she got a grade
disciplines and she got she got a grade in one of her humanities classes that
in one of her humanities classes that
in one of her humanities classes that said and may come up on the report card
said and may come up on the report card
said and may come up on the report card and she thought oh that’s it I got to
and she thought oh that’s it I got to
and she thought oh that’s it I got to take some classes that give me numbers I
take some classes that give me numbers I
take some classes that give me numbers I can’t handle this Enigma stuff so the
can’t handle this Enigma stuff so the
can’t handle this Enigma stuff so the next semester she took calculus
next semester she took calculus
next semester she took calculus professor walked in and said hi I love
professor walked in and said hi I love
professor walked in and said hi I love calculus I’m a mathematician you’re
calculus I’m a mathematician you’re
calculus I’m a mathematician you’re gonna love it too I’m so glad we’re here
gonna love it too I’m so glad we’re here
gonna love it too I’m so glad we’re here together this is gonna be terrific
together this is gonna be terrific
together this is gonna be terrific Yvonne got an A in university calculus
Yvonne got an A in university calculus
Yvonne got an A in university calculus having never seen calculus before I
having never seen calculus before I
having never seen calculus before I don’t think she took trig in high school
don’t think she took trig in high school
don’t think she took trig in high school and I remember when she got the a in
and I remember when she got the a in
and I remember when she got the a in calculus 8 or you remember that time you
calculus 8 or you remember that time you
calculus 8 or you remember that time you like we let you take art instead of math
like we let you take art instead of math
like we let you take art instead of math she said yeah why is it because if you
she said yeah why is it because if you
she said yeah why is it because if you had taken math and more math in your
had taken math and more math in your
had taken math and more math in your high school instead of art you probably
high school instead of art you probably
high school instead of art you probably would have never gone near the calculus
would have never gone near the calculus
would have never gone near the calculus class again let alone enjoyed it as much
class again let alone enjoyed it as much
class again let alone enjoyed it as much as you did so when they spun the barrel
as you did so when they spun the barrel
as you did so when they spun the barrel of the gun behind there and put it to
of the gun behind there and put it to
of the gun behind there and put it to her head and said now you have to pick a
her head and said now you have to pick a
her head and said now you have to pick a major
major
major she said art what Oh where’d that come
she said art what Oh where’d that come
she said art what Oh where’d that come from you know she was always crafty she
from you know she was always crafty she
from you know she was always crafty she could knit and crochet and such she
could knit and crochet and such she
could knit and crochet and such she taught herself she started the knitting
taught herself she started the knitting
taught herself she started the knitting club in high school it was the subject
club in high school it was the subject
club in high school it was the subject of her university essay but you know
of her university essay but you know
of her university essay but you know like parents are insecure you want the
like parents are insecure you want the
like parents are insecure you want the best for your kids and she’s getting
best for your kids and she’s getting
best for your kids and she’s getting AIDS and anthropology in computer
AIDS and anthropology in computer
AIDS and anthropology in computer science and calculus a weird art come
science and calculus a weird art come
science and calculus a weird art come from well of my three University
from well of my three University
from well of my three University educated children the only one who has
educated children the only one who has
educated children the only one who has had a full-time job with health benefits
had a full-time job with health benefits
had a full-time job with health benefits and an apartment every second since she
and an apartment every second since she
and an apartment every second since she graduated university was the art major
graduated university was the art major
graduated university was the art major and she was concerned about her most
and she was concerned about her most
and she was concerned about her most recent job because it was she was gonna
recent job because it was she was gonna
recent job because it was she was gonna have to tell her friends that she was a
have to tell her friends that she was a
have to tell her friends that she was a Normie Normie is someone who goes to the
Normie Normie is someone who goes to the
Normie Normie is someone who goes to the same place every day and does something
same place every day and does something
same place every day and does something for money
for money
for money because she had worked at a non-profit
because she had worked at a non-profit
because she had worked at a non-profit before that but that hasn’t limited her
before that but that hasn’t limited her
before that but that hasn’t limited her finding a finding time and outlets for
finding a finding time and outlets for
finding a finding time and outlets for what she loves the dress on the left is
what she loves the dress on the left is
what she loves the dress on the left is a dress she knit that walked in New York
a dress she knit that walked in New York
a dress she knit that walked in New York Fashion Week last year someone called
Fashion Week last year someone called
Fashion Week last year someone called her five days before Fashion Week and
her five days before Fashion Week and
her five days before Fashion Week and said we thought we could get someone
said we thought we could get someone
said we thought we could get someone else to do this we can’t any chance you
else to do this we can’t any chance you
else to do this we can’t any chance you can do it so she worked all day came
can do it so she worked all day came
can do it so she worked all day came home and knit a dress in a workbook
home and knit a dress in a workbook
home and knit a dress in a workbook Fashion Week and this semester she
Fashion Week and this semester she
Fashion Week and this semester she enrolled at New York Institute of
enrolled at New York Institute of
enrolled at New York Institute of Technology and she’s taking an
Technology and she’s taking an
Technology and she’s taking an industrial knitting club course where
industrial knitting club course where
industrial knitting club course where she’s using two story high machines
she’s using two story high machines
she’s using two story high machines they’re computer-controlled
they’re computer-controlled
they’re computer-controlled to tune it and we even make fabric and
to tune it and we even make fabric and
to tune it and we even make fabric and to do things that I am confident
to do things that I am confident
to do things that I am confident guidance her guidance counselor would
guidance her guidance counselor would
guidance her guidance counselor would never thought was a possibility I have
never thought was a possibility I have
never thought was a possibility I have two friends who are professional
two friends who are professional
two friends who are professional television show carpenters I don’t mean
television show carpenters I don’t mean
television show carpenters I don’t mean they make things for television shows I
they make things for television shows I
they make things for television shows I mean they make things on television Pete
mean they make things on television Pete
mean they make things on television Pete Nelson the treehouse master and I have
Nelson the treehouse master and I have
Nelson the treehouse master and I have worked together a couple of times
worked together a couple of times
worked together a couple of times Paulie DeMaio the carpenter on Extreme
Paulie DeMaio the carpenter on Extreme
Paulie DeMaio the carpenter on Extreme Home Makeover is a friend Pete was an
Home Makeover is a friend Pete was an
Home Makeover is a friend Pete was an economics major in college again I’m
economics major in college again I’m
economics major in college again I’m confident his school guidance counselor
confident his school guidance counselor
confident his school guidance counselor didn’t tell them you can make seven
didn’t tell them you can make seven
didn’t tell them you can make seven figures a year building treehouses on
figures a year building treehouses on
figures a year building treehouses on television we have no idea what lies
television we have no idea what lies
television we have no idea what lies ahead so we need to do whatever it takes
ahead so we need to do whatever it takes
ahead so we need to do whatever it takes to become good at something you need to
to become good at something you need to
to become good at something you need to do whatever it takes to become good at
do whatever it takes to become good at
do whatever it takes to become good at something the best artists scientists
something the best artists scientists
something the best artists scientists entrepreneurs business leaders political
entrepreneurs business leaders political
entrepreneurs business leaders political figures are driven by what bugs them and
figures are driven by what bugs them and
figures are driven by what bugs them and they have a laser-like persistent focus
they have a laser-like persistent focus
they have a laser-like persistent focus on fixing that which bugs them we need
on fixing that which bugs them we need
on fixing that which bugs them we need to find Mentors you need to spend time
to find Mentors you need to spend time
to find Mentors you need to spend time in the company of interesting adults and
in the company of interesting adults and
in the company of interesting adults and this is one of the big ideas you need to
this is one of the big ideas you need to
this is one of the big ideas you need to get off the couch I go to 50 to 80
get off the couch I go to 50 to 80
get off the couch I go to 50 to 80 concerts a year and I am active on
concerts a year and I am active on
concerts a year and I am active on social media and I have 22,000 followers
social media and I have 22,000 followers
social media and I have 22,000 followers most of them are educators from around
most of them are educators from around
most of them are educators from around the world and occasionally someone will
the world and occasionally someone will
the world and occasionally someone will say to me wow you go to a lot of
say to me wow you go to a lot of
say to me wow you go to a lot of concerts how do you do that and say okay
concerts how do you do that and say okay
concerts how do you do that and say okay you have a pink piece of paper and a
you have a pink piece of paper and a
you have a pink piece of paper and a pencil are you ready I buy tickets
pencil are you ready I buy tickets
pencil are you ready I buy tickets and I go the reason why I’ve been able
and I go the reason why I’ve been able
and I go the reason why I’ve been able to work with all of my heroes why I’ve
to work with all of my heroes why I’ve
to work with all of my heroes why I’ve been able to be at the right place at
been able to be at the right place at
been able to be at the right place at the right time to have been in engaged
the right time to have been in engaged
the right time to have been in engaged in some of the most pioneering exciting
in some of the most pioneering exciting
in some of the most pioneering exciting work and educational technology over the
work and educational technology over the
work and educational technology over the last 35 years is the reason why I met
last 35 years is the reason why I met
last 35 years is the reason why I met mr. Rogers was because I went to where
mr. Rogers was because I went to where
mr. Rogers was because I went to where they were you know when I was in high
they were you know when I was in high
they were you know when I was in high school
school
school I’ll just end with this story there’s no
I’ll just end with this story there’s no
I’ll just end with this story there’s no clock so I have no idea what time it is
clock so I have no idea what time it is
clock so I have no idea what time it is when I was in high school you know I
when I was in high school you know I
when I was in high school you know I wanted to be a jazz musician and the
wanted to be a jazz musician and the
wanted to be a jazz musician and the local college was only 23 miles from New
local college was only 23 miles from New
local college was only 23 miles from New York City so they had a really fine jazz
York City so they had a really fine jazz
York City so they had a really fine jazz program and there were about a dozen
program and there were about a dozen
program and there were about a dozen Sundays a year where there were
Sundays a year where there were
Sundays a year where there were world-class concerts that we went to as
world-class concerts that we went to as
world-class concerts that we went to as kids and one Sunday there was a concert
kids and one Sunday there was a concert
kids and one Sunday there was a concert that just blew my mind and the funny
that just blew my mind and the funny
that just blew my mind and the funny thing about memory is I have no idea
thing about memory is I have no idea
thing about memory is I have no idea what it was but I couldn’t sleep that
what it was but I couldn’t sleep that
what it was but I couldn’t sleep that night and all day in school the next day
night and all day in school the next day
night and all day in school the next day I couldn’t get the concert out of my
I couldn’t get the concert out of my
I couldn’t get the concert out of my head I had just gotten my driver’s
head I had just gotten my driver’s
head I had just gotten my driver’s license this was 12th grade and as soon
license this was 12th grade and as soon
license this was 12th grade and as soon as the bell rang at my high school I
as the bell rang at my high school I
as the bell rang at my high school I threw my trumpet case in the trunk of
threw my trumpet case in the trunk of
threw my trumpet case in the trunk of the car and I drove my car to the
the car and I drove my car to the
the car and I drove my car to the University and I parked illegally and I
University and I parked illegally and I
University and I parked illegally and I took my trumpet case out of the trunk
took my trumpet case out of the trunk
took my trumpet case out of the trunk and I walked into the Music Building and
and I walked into the Music Building and
and I walked into the Music Building and I put it down on the floor and I sat on
I put it down on the floor and I sat on
I put it down on the floor and I sat on my trumpet case and 15 seconds later the
my trumpet case and 15 seconds later the
my trumpet case and 15 seconds later the doors to the rehearsal hall flung open
doors to the rehearsal hall flung open
doors to the rehearsal hall flung open and his very large imposing gentleman
and his very large imposing gentleman
and his very large imposing gentleman named Chico Mendoza who was a local
named Chico Mendoza who was a local
named Chico Mendoza who was a local radio host and composer and bandleader
radio host and composer and bandleader
radio host and composer and bandleader said hey kid is that a trumpet and I
said hey kid is that a trumpet and I
said hey kid is that a trumpet and I sheepishly said yes it is sorry get in
sheepishly said yes it is sorry get in
sheepishly said yes it is sorry get in here and as he was dragging me just by
here and as he was dragging me just by
here and as he was dragging me just by sort of waving his arms into the room I
sort of waving his arms into the room I
sort of waving his arms into the room I was mumbling I don’t go to school here
was mumbling I don’t go to school here
was mumbling I don’t go to school here this might be a problem and he said I
this might be a problem and he said I
this might be a problem and he said I pointed to the empty music stand and
pointed to the empty music stand and
pointed to the empty music stand and said third and I played the rehearsal
said third and I played the rehearsal
said third and I played the rehearsal and had the time of my life and at the
and had the time of my life and at the
and had the time of my life and at the end of rehearsal I said thank you very
end of rehearsal I said thank you very
end of rehearsal I said thank you very much sir it was a real honor to play
much sir it was a real honor to play
much sir it was a real honor to play with your band he said you’ll be here
with your band he said you’ll be here
with your band he said you’ll be here next week right I said I don’t go to
next week right I said I don’t go to
next week right I said I don’t go to school here and he said I don’t care I
school here and he said I don’t care I
school here and he said I don’t care I need a trumpet player
need a trumpet player
need a trumpet player and then he found out that I wanted to
and then he found out that I wanted to
and then he found out that I wanted to be an arranger and he came to my house
be an arranger and he came to my house
be an arranger and he came to my house it gave me lessons for free and he paid
it gave me lessons for free and he paid
it gave me lessons for free and he paid me to copy the parts from the
me to copy the parts from the
me to copy the parts from the compositions he wrote for the band and
compositions he wrote for the band and
compositions he wrote for the band and that in no small part led to the
that in no small part led to the
that in no small part led to the scholarship that I had – one of the best
scholarship that I had – one of the best
scholarship that I had – one of the best music conservatories in the country and
music conservatories in the country and
music conservatories in the country and I’ve had a number of those kinds of
I’ve had a number of those kinds of
I’ve had a number of those kinds of experiences in my life where we’re a the
experiences in my life where we’re a the
experiences in my life where we’re a the kindness of a stranger of someone of
kindness of a stranger of someone of
kindness of a stranger of someone of much higher stature a much greater
much higher stature a much greater
much higher stature a much greater accomplishment has contributed in
accomplishment has contributed in
accomplishment has contributed in remarkable ways to my development and
remarkable ways to my development and
remarkable ways to my development and the best advice that I can give any of
the best advice that I can give any of
the best advice that I can give any of the any kids that I ever have the
the any kids that I ever have the
the any kids that I ever have the opportunity to talk with is find those
opportunity to talk with is find those
opportunity to talk with is find those people that matter to you send them a
people that matter to you send them a
people that matter to you send them a letter go to where they are realize not
letter go to where they are realize not
letter go to where they are realize not everyone uses plura course Skype or
everyone uses plura course Skype or
everyone uses plura course Skype or whatever the latest thing is some of
whatever the latest thing is some of
whatever the latest thing is some of your favorite authors actually write
your favorite authors actually write
your favorite authors actually write books longhand still so you may actually
books longhand still so you may actually
books longhand still so you may actually have to write a physical letter or send
have to write a physical letter or send
have to write a physical letter or send a fax or talk to them when they’re when
a fax or talk to them when they’re when
a fax or talk to them when they’re when it’s a convenient time for them but
it’s a convenient time for them but
it’s a convenient time for them but people who are accomplished in what they
people who are accomplished in what they
people who are accomplished in what they do are great teachers because they have
do are great teachers because they have
do are great teachers because they have that laser-like focus on fixing
that laser-like focus on fixing
that laser-like focus on fixing something that bothers them and as a
something that bothers them and as a
something that bothers them and as a result they’re able to articulate how it
result they’re able to articulate how it
result they’re able to articulate how it is that they do what they do and they’re
is that they do what they do and they’re
is that they do what they do and they’re quite willing to share what it is that
quite willing to share what it is that
quite willing to share what it is that they know with young people because they
they know with young people because they
they know with young people because they care about their work and their legacy
care about their work and their legacy
care about their work and their legacy continuing you know I’ve had the great
continuing you know I’ve had the great
continuing you know I’ve had the great privilege of knowing some really smart
privilege of knowing some really smart
privilege of knowing some really smart people including some of the world’s
people including some of the world’s
people including some of the world’s leading mathematicians and one of the
leading mathematicians and one of the
leading mathematicians and one of the things that occurred to me was that no
things that occurred to me was that no
things that occurred to me was that no mathematician has ever made me feel
mathematician has ever made me feel
mathematician has ever made me feel stupid I know I’ve met John Conway i
stupid I know I’ve met John Conway i
stupid I know I’ve met John Conway i know stephen wolfram at worked with
know stephen wolfram at worked with
know stephen wolfram at worked with seymour papert and marvin minsky but
seymour papert and marvin minsky but
seymour papert and marvin minsky but plenty of math teachers that made me
plenty of math teachers that made me
plenty of math teachers that made me feel stupid and and had took a giant
feel stupid and and had took a giant
feel stupid and and had took a giant chunk out of my self-esteem as a kid and
chunk out of my self-esteem as a kid and
chunk out of my self-esteem as a kid and told me that despite the fact that I was
told me that despite the fact that I was
told me that despite the fact that I was the best programmer any of them had ever
the best programmer any of them had ever
the best programmer any of them had ever seen and that I had been programming for
seen and that I had been programming for
seen and that I had been programming for six years before I graduated high school
six years before I graduated high school
six years before I graduated high school I couldn’t study computer science
I couldn’t study computer science
I couldn’t study computer science because I wasn’t good at math
because I wasn’t good at math
because I wasn’t good at math and then I couldn’t continue being a
and then I couldn’t continue being a
and then I couldn’t continue being a music major because I didn’t want to
music major because I didn’t want to
music major because I didn’t want to play the trumpet anymore I wanted to
play the trumpet anymore I wanted to
play the trumpet anymore I wanted to compose and that wasn’t an option yet I
compose and that wasn’t an option yet I
compose and that wasn’t an option yet I still keep playing an instrument so you
still keep playing an instrument so you
still keep playing an instrument so you have the power within you to find the
have the power within you to find the
have the power within you to find the path that will allow you to reach your
path that will allow you to reach your
path that will allow you to reach your potential you don’t have to care about
potential you don’t have to care about
potential you don’t have to care about what other people care about and in
what other people care about and in
what other people care about and in closing you should just remember it’s
closing you should just remember it’s
closing you should just remember it’s just school millions of people have
just school millions of people have
just school millions of people have survived it before you you will too
survived it before you you will too
survived it before you you will too thank you very much
thank you very much
thank you very much [Applause]
”
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