Problems and paradise

I'm  thinking of this little story taken from a Twighlight Zone episode that Ray Kurzweil shares in his book The Age of Spiritual Machines as I look forward to the start of school this year...

While robbing a pawnbroker's shop, Valentine [a small time hoodlum] is shot and killed by a policeman. When he awakens, he is met by his afterlife guide, Pip. Pip explains that will provide Valentine with anything he wants. Valentine is suspicious, but he asks for and receives a million dollars and a beautiful girl. He then goes on a gambling spree, winning at the roulette table, at the slot machines, and later at pool. He is also surrounded by beautiful women, who shower him with attention.

Eventually Valentine tires of the gambling, the winning, and the beautiful women. He tells Pip that it is boring to win all the time and that he doesn't belong in Heaven. He begs Pip to take him to "the Other Place." With a malicious gleam in his eye, Pip replies, "This is the Other Place." [Episode synopsis adapted from Marc Scott Zicree, The Twilight Zone Companion.]

We are implementing a new student information system. We are restructuring staff development in technology. We are installing 60+ new "Smart Classrooms." We are having an increased push for the use of our data mining system. We are implementing a new strategic plan for the district. We will be planning our new elementary school building.

LOTS of opportunity for challenges, problem-solving and probably conflict-resolution.

I need to be mindful that challenges are blessings to those of us who are easily bored.

Pay it forward - professionally

Miguel Guhlin at Around the Corner has said some very nice things about my writing's impact on his career. I am far too modest to reprint any here, but not so modest I won't link to the blog entry. In fact, he cites me as one of his "Amazing People." I am indeed, as Ian Jukes would say, a legend in my own mind. I am truly humbled that anyone as thoughtful and articulate as Miguel would say such things. Usually he just teases my about my advancing age.

But here's the way Miguel and anyone else who finds any value in my work can repay me - pay it forward - professionally. Encourage, help, support, identify, mentor, and praise new (not necessarily young) leaders and innovators in education.

That's it.  

 As a way of saying thank you, I had Miguel's oil portrait commissioned.

Career evolution

Consulting: If you're not a part of the solution,there's good money to be made in prolonging the problem. despair.com

 
When I was young I was good at frying eggs.
I went to school and got a degree in frying eggs.
I got a job frying eggs.
I was the best at frying eggs for the company so they had me supervise others frying eggs.
I was the best at supervising those who fried eggs so they had me manage the supervisors.
I gave a conference presentation on how to fry eggs good.
I wrote a book about how to fry eggs good.
I have a blog about how to fry eggs good.
I became an egg frying consultant.

I don't remember how to fry eggs anymore.

Does anybody remember The Peter Principle? - that we all rise in our organizations until we become incompetent and then remain in that position.

You don't much hear it mentioned much anymore. Is it because we are embarrassed?

Has the world become so complex and so fast changing that none of us feel competent?