Johnson & Orders: Outside the Box

In this mini-episode, we explore two words that have us thinking -- and why they have us thinking about our thinking. "Mercurial" and "Metacognition" are on the OTB Word Wall!

In this two-part feature, we dish with some of the thinkingest people in Central Office, to find out exactly what it means to make the move from a schoolhouse to "The Dark Side." Scores of forward-thinking, creative educators make this move every year; here we ask two leaders to expound upon how they leverage their own personal visions and styles to influence the higher echelons of our educational system.

This one's all about being grateful and giving thanks. Thank you for listening, and Happy Thanksgiving!

In our first episode for Season Two, we sit down with Jeff Brown, principal of Roberto Clemente MS, to discuss the importance of vision and developing a personal style.

With this last [rough-cut & mobile] podcast as active Wolverines, we say "adios" and "hasta pronto!" to many of our well-loved friends. We explore the excitement and vulnerability of heading off to new challenges, just like so many of our graduates. Thanks for listening, and join us in our next iteration... whatever that may be!

So what, we're on break and in different hemispheres? We can still take a couple moments over break to share perspectives and reflections -- albeit in low fidelity.

What can we actually learn about anyone from a 20-minute interview, or from a single test? We discuss limitations of the snapshots offered by various interviews and tests, and explore how we REALLY want to be assessed.

Image credit: K, Karol. “How to Create a Killer 'Hire Me' Page as an SEO, Instead of a 'Meh' One.” SEO Blog by Ahrefs, 27 Oct. 2016, ahrefs.com/blog/hire-me-page/.

(Various sound clips included under Fair Use.)

But a man's reach should exceed his grasp, Or what's a heaven for?

(Robert Browning)

This week we puzzle over what makes us want to try -- and it's not about threats OR treats. How can we find work that is intrinsically motivating, and maximize our effectiveness at doing tasks that matter?

Image Credit: “Using Stick and Carrot To Motivate Employees.” Don't Look Back, douglasemerson.blogs.com/dont_look_back/2010/07/using-stick-and-carrot-to-motivate-employees.html.

The good news -- and the bad news -- is that we are condemned to be free. Free to interpret our world in a way that gives our lives meaning. What you see when you look out at the world around you, and how do you choose to interpret it, makes all the difference.

"The really important kind of freedom involves attention, and awareness, and discipline, and effort, and being able truly to care about other people and to sacrifice for them, over and over, in myriad petty little unsexy ways, every day. That is real freedom. "

-David Foster Wallace, May 2005 ("Kenyon Commencement Speech," a.k.a "This is Water")

Image Credit: Magritte, René. The False Mirror. 1928. Museum of Modern Art, New York. Museum of Modern Art. Web. 21 Jan. 2015.

Had to put off posting this episode until we finished our "real" work...but here it is. We discuss three big reasons why we all procrastinate, and how best to escape the cycle. Don't put it off -- tune in now!

Image credit: “The Art of Jugaad.” IDEX Global Fellowship, www.idexaccelerator.com/blog/2016/12/16/the-art-of-jugaad.