Smart People, Caring People, Fascinating People

One of the great things about working in the education field is having daily encounters with wickedly smart people. It’s odd, but I enjoy being around people who are scary-smart. Had a chance to sit down with Katrina Stevens recently and her intelligence, knowledge and insights were overshadowing. The encounter made me wonder what I’ve been thinking about and doing for the last ten years. People like Katrina challenge me to think more broadly, deeply and precisely.

Perhaps the only thing better than being around super smart people is being around deeply caring people. People who are deeply passionate about the things that matter to them -- and part of what matters to them is connecting and sharing with other people. These people open my heart wider and keep me wanting to be part of something that serves the greater good on a massive scale.

But there’s a third group whom I find downright intriguing. They are the fascinating people. People can be fascinating for all sorts of reasons. Some are fascinating because they are different or think very differently about the things that matter. Some are fascinating because of the journey they’ve been on, the path they’ve chosen or the experiences they’ve had. Some are fascinating because of the projects, programs and initiatives they are involved in or leading. Some are fascinating because of the idiosyncratic way they approach life and the personal qualities they model just by being who they are. Some are fascinating because of how big they think and the challenges and risks they are willing to take for the things in which they deeply believe. Some are fascinating because they are just odd, eccentric examples of the wonderful diversity of humanity.

On September 27th some of the smartest, most caring and fascinating people in education will be spending an evening together at the Bammy Awards in Washington, D.C. As I look at the list I see at least two dozen people I would love to have coffee or a beer with, and I’m thrilled to have a chance to meet them face to face. Who are these people? They span the spectrum from classroom teachers like Jon Bergmann and Aaron Sams, who are flipping the education world on its head; to the CEO of National Geographic; to Joshua, the amazing -- a diminutive 12-year-old boy with a gargantuan afro and an enormous heart, who has already contributed to the greater good on a massive scale.

As they say here in California I am soooooo looking forward to spending this one evening with this eclectic group of smart, caring and fascinating people who have at least one thing in common: the belief that it takes a village to educate a child.

See who’ll be attending the Bammy Awards here