A year ago, I found out that I was a semi-finalist for the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow program. There were a lot of feelings, most of them centered on what I would do if I was selected. Did I really want to do this? Did I really want to step away from my family, my colleagues, my students? Would I accept if I was offered the chance?
A month later, I was informed that I had been selected for a spot on Capitol Hill. I didn't hesitate- at that point my mind was made up that if selected, I would jump at the opportunity of a lifetime. I look back at time now, and while I know it was the right decision for me, I was completely nuts, totally bonkers, and all out crazy. This group of fellows I have gotten to know over the past 6 months is incredibly talented, inspiring and certifiably (Pardon my language) bat-shit crazy.
From 1997-2002, Apple's major advertising campaign was entitled "Think Different". It highlighted those people in history who make huge contributions to human race by not being normal. People like Picasso, Jane Goodman, Ghandi, John Lennon and Jim Henson. The words that went along with the TV advertisements still strike a chord with me. As part of my midyear presentation, I read some of those words:
“You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only think you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. While some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”
The 15 fabulous fellows pictured above are not the only crazy ones (though they are exceptionally so), EVERY teacher has to be a bit crazy to do the job of teaching, but that's exactly what makes them all so special.
So to all the teachers out there- today we celebrate crazy. We celebrate you.
Thank you for changing the world, one student at a time.
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