Lerner S. - Kids who think outside the box (2005)(en)

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expeditions to the American West. Following my undergraduate education I pursued my masters at San Diego, where I came in contact with an exceptional group of young scientists and learned how to do research. From there I went to Yale University to work on my PhD. Even though my interests wavered (at one point I was studying the molecular genetics of transposons in maize), when I finished my PhD I realized that I was really good at science.

I left with the feeling that I could work on almost anything. No matter what it was, it was just another data set that needed to be looked at rationally and empirically. When I was offered my job at the American Museum of Natural History, I had never worked on dinosaurs. They simply put the question to me “If we hire you will you work on dinosaurs?” Throughout all this I stayed focused on what made me interested in science as a child, always wondering why and how you can use theory and evidence (data) to understand some basic things about how the world works.

Even though I work on the past, it is very important to think in the present and beyond. Curiosity and imagination are crucial, and you should instinctively look for the next best thing, the thing that is just beyond the horizon. But this is not enough. A common saying in my field is that ideas are cheap—even good ones. It is their implementation and development that is difficult. There is no substitute for hard work, and there is no excuse for not finishing projects and other things in a timely fashion. If I look around, I have known some amazing thinkers. Those who were finishers went on to become luminaries. That does not make them necessarily any smarter than many of the rest. It has, however, made them more successful.

All of us will have setbacks during our careers and lives. Personal tragedy, illness, and the like—these are not pleasant things. Looking back, there are things that I would change

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and much that I wished that I never experienced. Nevertheless, the spectrum of experience is good and makes an archive that is my most important tool in going forward with my work and life.

The idea of a wide spectrum also forms the core about my philosophy of education. People should learn as much about as many different things as possible—and not just academic subjects. You would be surprised how knowing how to fix a car, install drywall, or cook a soufflé aids a scientist. And for inspiration? Each person is inspired in a different way. My own comes just from living and realizing that I have an obligation to my family and others. Ideas come at weird times— recently I’ve gotten a lot of thinking done just walking around listening to Metallica and old punk rock—Sex Pistols, X, and the like.

My advice: work hard, play hard, think hard, finish stuff, surround yourself with the same kind of people, listen to them, be an information magnet, experience all you can. Combined with a little luck, this will take you a long way.

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■John A. Hays

Deputy Chairman, Christie’s, North and South America

aving been with Christie’s auction house for more than H20 years, John Hays is involved in developing business strategies for the sale of top American art collections. Hays joined Christie’s in 1983, and ever since has played an instrumental role in bringing innovation and record-setting sales to the field of American furniture and folk art. In addition to being Deputy Chairman, he is Principal Auctioneer and oversees the age-old practice of buying and selling things of value and interest for collectors. Mr. Hays has orchestrated and presided over a record-breaking series of Americana sales.

How does an all-American boy end up selling to the eclectic and elite collectors of the world? He set his mind to it.

John A. Hays

You Can Do Anything If You Set Your Mind to It

If you know you can get out from the bottom—you won’t be afraid to try your moves on the top.

was lucky. I came from a family that believed their children Icould do anything they wanted—no matter how unrealistic the idea or far-fetched it sounded. In some ways this made it difficult, as we really believed we could do anything and for a brief moment I thought I would like to be a sculptor. But looking back on the experience, I remember how seriously everyone took me and the awful clay mounds that I created. Still, my effort did make me realize that confidence was everything. If people believed in you, you believed in yourself.

Source: Printed with permission from John A. Hays.

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I went to Phillips Exeter Academy and made the varsity wrestling team in the 10th grade. The coach, Ted Seabrooke, was a former “Big Ten” wrestling champ from Oklahoma A&M. He had a gift for making skinny 130 pound kids feel like they could beat anybody in this sport—and we did. He used to say “If you KNOW you can get out from the bottom—you won’t be afraid to try your moves on the top.” And so we worked hard at that strategy and ended up winning matches against kids far stronger than we were but who didn’t have the confidence we had! I remember being in the finals of a tournament where I was behind 10 to 1. The other guy got a little careless and I got free and pinned him with only a few seconds left. Never give up!

I went to Kenyon College (a bit “outside the box” since my family traditionally went to Harvard University). I fell in love with the Art Department and one thing led to another. I actually got a job in the art world when I graduated. Today, at Christie’s, I am a principal auctioneer for the firm, but I think of those days wrestling at Exeter whenever I step into the podium to take a sale: confident that I can run a sale no matter who I’m in front of, believing that you can do anything if you set your mind to it.

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■Joseph Denofrio

Senior Vice President for Fashion, Macy’s

oseph Denofrio, a New Jersey native, completed 16 years of Jeducation in the Catholic school system. Graduating from Seton Hall University with a BA in government, he immediately began a retail career with Macy’s through its college recruitment program.

Although home has never exceeded a 10 mile radius, business travel for product development has provided exposure to various cultures, life styles, and standards of living around the world.

Looking back on his school years, Joe credits the Boy Scouts National Honor Society and serving as business manager of his high school’s yearbook as key experiences that prepared him for the business world. Eventually, he became Senior Vice President of Fashion for Macy’s and spent much time developing his expertise in women’s and men’s fashion, to complement his retail experience in home furnishings.

Joseph Denofrio

Aim High

I guess aiming high works as well in the candy business as it does in the courtroom.

ime goes by quickly when we’re having fun and doing Tsomething we like. That is the one thing that we all have in common, and that’s how I feel about the years that I have spent working in the retail business. It’s been a lot of hard work, mind you, but always fun. No matter what else I’ve

Source: Printed with permission from Joseph Denofrio.

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tried, no matter where others attempted to lead me, the one consistent source of fun for me was, and still is, the search for that perfect item on my shopping list.

These items have changed over the years. The earliest search that I can remember was for a box of 64 Crayola Crayons with the built-in pencil sharpener. I found it and have been shopping ever since. My most recent search has been for a log cabin built on a lake. I am happy to say that as of this writing, I am sitting in the kitchen of my dream home, overlooking that lake.

In between the crayons and the lake is more than 35 years in the retail business that has brought me from my first job in the world’s smallest candy store to Macy’s—“the world’s largest department store.” When I was 12, the owner of my local candy store asked me if I wanted to work for him during my summer vacation. I started working four hours a day for a dollar an hour and still remember receiving my first $20 bill in a bank envelope. Looking at pictures of myself during this time in my life, I think I must have spent my entire pay right there in the candy store!

Carl, the owner of the store, was the first of several role models who over the years taught me about personal proprietorship. Carl’s name was on that store, and he worked hard to ensure that it was the best that it could possibly be. I remember, even at 12, feeling very proud that he had entrusted me with certain duties that he said no one did better than I. Today, I delegated a task to someone at work and told him it was because he could perform it better than I could. He did. Thanks Carl.

This job continued through my high school years. I did great at school. I scored very high on the standardized tests and received a lot of advice to aim for a conventional profession. The guidance counselors kept repeating “law school,” but my mind was on planning the best candy and ice cream

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presentations anywhere. I guess aiming high works as well in the candy business as it does in the courtroom.

College was very important. I attended a university that had its own law school and I did well during my four years there. I was accepted to continue on, and join the law program. The two most important realizations that I had during my college years were:

1.That there were a lot of talented and capable people sitting next to me in class and working hard would be the only way that I could measure up.

2.I couldn’t wait until 4:00 PM every weekday. That was the time that I went to my job at the local department store.

Putting realizations 1 and 2 together, I accepted a job in Macy’s Executive Training Program, after a college recruiter came to visit my campus.

Twenty-five years later, I was still working hard at what I loved. I felt as energized before retirement as I did the day I started. I have now covered every level of management from executive trainee through senior vice president. Some jobs during the years were harder than others. I stuck with it because the retail operation never stopped exciting me. As I climbed through management, I never forgot how proud my first boss Carl was to have his name on the front of his store. I guess you can call me “Joe Macy.” I’ll always appreciate that someone recognized dedication and talent in me. I’d like to return that favor to all of you talented future retailers.

Always remember:

Put your name on it,

Find your role models,

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Discover what it is that no one else can do better than you,

Keep your eyes open for the talents in others,

And most important,

Have fun and you’ll have a happy and successful career.

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■John R. Passarini

Educator, Coach

ohn R. Passarini is a phenomenal educator because to him Jit all begins with caring and heart. The second you engage him in conversation, he teaches by example that if you respect people for who they are, it enhances their self-esteem. That’s who John Passarini is! John R. Passarini has been a teacher for 34 years. He holds an EdD in Special Education. He taught physical education and health in the Waltham Public Schools for 18 years, and founded the Waltham High School wrestling team, which he coached for 13 years. For the past 16 years John has taught adapted physical education in the Wayland Public Schools. He is in the process of retiring from teaching with the goal of becoming an educational consultant.

In 2002, John was named the Adapted Physical Education National Teacher of the Year by the American Association for Active Lifestyles and Fitness and in 2003, he received the prestigious honor of being named the Disney Outstanding Teacher of the Year. A parent of one of John’s students said, “To me, Coach Pass personifies the truth that each child is worth it, and it was his incredible faith in Katie that set her spirit free.”

He is a national teaching treasure. He teaches out of the box.

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John R. Passarini

Limited Only by Our Thoughts

If you set goals, love what you do, stay focused, and pursue your dreams with passion and perseverance, your teachers will appear.

grew up in a bilingual home with lots of love, lots of sup- Iport, and good food, but few books. My mother, Dorina, was born in Italy and only got through the third grade. My father, Adolpho, was born with cerebral palsy and contracted polio at age 6. He did not walk until he was 14 years old and because of his physical and learning challenges, he did not graduate from high school until he was 20. He never complained.

My parents taught me how to be a good person and how to love life, but my language and reading skills lagged behind. When I was forced to repeat second grade in 1955, I was disappointed and confused. Nobody ever explained why this happened and for several years I was sad and self-conscious.

In May 2001, I received my doctorate in education from Boston University. In 2003, I was named Disney’s Outstanding Teacher of the Year. What happened? My strong athletic and social skills carried me through elementary school. I was embarrassed by my poor academic skills, but I had good self-esteem, lots of friends, and a positive attitude. Most important, I had clear goals and a strong desire to succeed.

My academic struggles continued in junior high school until I met Warren E. Priest. Warren was an English and social studies teacher who recognized my potential and appreciated my desire to improve my academic skills. When I met Warren I was “ready” to learn. Warren had me read aloud. He

Source: Printed with permission from John R. Passarini, Teacher, Leader.