Another Busy Morning

In truth going to bed on West Coast time and waking up on East Coast time is beginning to take it's toll on this blogger. But in keeping with the superhero theme of the conference, I am pushing through the pain.

I started the day at a great session on 21st century technology eduction for parents. The metaphor the presenters used was that of a school bus where the kids are driving the bus and the parents are in the very back or running along side, yelling out instructions - slow down, don't go down that road, etc. - and the kids can't hear them. As both an educator and a parent, I very much feel that way at times when it comes to technology. The presenters, from Abington Friends School (PA), provided two really helpful resources for parents and educators. Common Sense Media, is an organization "dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology." Facebook for Parents offers courses for parents and also a free newsletter that helps parents keep up on the basics as well as the more nuanced aspects of Facebook. Needless to say, this is really helpful stuff. I looked at both quickly this morning, but I'll definitely be going back for more.

The morning general session started with two more great students performances, one by the Bay Area Schools Combined Choir and another by the San Francisco School Ensemble. Again, it was great to see talented, passionate kids doing what they love. I'd be quaking in by loafers if I were on stage in front of 4000 people, so I really admire them.

Our keynote speaker today was Juan Enriquez, managing director of Excel Venture Managment in Cambridge, MA. He warned us that hearing from a geneticist first thing in the morning was bound to make us drowsy. Quite to the contrary, what he had to say was so fascinating it's difficult to describe. In truth, I'm not sure I even understood a lot of it. Dr. Enriquez's basic premise was that code is changing the world and creating wealth. He spoke of both computer code and, even more to the point, genetic code and made the case quite compellingly. In addition to being very smart, Dr. Enriquez is also quite funny. I thought I could do dry humor well, but this guy had the whole room in stitches and never cracked a smile. In the end he told the story of his youth - he arrived at Andover from Mexico speaking fluent English but unable to write at all - and thanked us for the difference we make for our students, helping them "stay curious, stay smart, and able to adapt to change." They'll need all three to be successful in the increasingly fast changing world. Everyone with whom I spoke after his talk was blown away.

Finally, I attended the NAIS Diversity Leadership Award ceremony, where Reveta Bowers was the worthy honoree. Reveta is the grande dame of heads of color in our schools. She's been at the helm of the Center for Early Eduction for 35 years and has been on the leading edge of diversity work in independent schools ever since. Simply put, the opportunities for people of color, like me, in independent schools exist in no small way because of Reveta  and a few others. She is a powerful force for good, and I'm proud to count her as a mentor and friend.