Point of Learning Peter Horn

Shayfer James discusses his songwriting process. And, you know, lots of
other things.

On 5 March 2024, Peggy McIntosh was inducted into the National Women’s Hall
of Fame. In honor of this momentous occasion, I’m re-sharing our 2019
conversation.

One hundred and eighty years ago, on 19 December 1843, the first edition of
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol was published. To celebrate, I’m
releasing a special version of the story produced in 2001 with William R.
Mathews and The Westfield Chorale.

The heart of this special episode is the Back-to-School Address to Oakland,
CA faculty and staff by Superintendent Dr. Marcus A. Foster, given in the
fall of 1973. You will hear a singular voice in U.S. education urging
teachers, administrators, and support staff to keep students at the center
of their work—while also honoring the complexity of the challenge.

Capt. John Havlik knows a thing or two about stress. He retired in 2014
after more than 30 years of distinguished military service, nearly all of
them as a Navy SEAL. He graduated from West Virginia University as the
first swimmer in school history to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Swimming
Trials. He served as tri-captain of the first undefeated men’s swim team in
WVU history his senior year.

Just this spring, he defended his doctoral dissertation at the University
of Pennsylvania, a study comparing stress-management strategies of U.S.
National Team swimmers and Navy SEALs. Today’s conversation focuses on four
key commonalities:

1. Absolute trust in their training

2. Adherence to a strict routine

3. Focusing only on what they could control

4. Utilizing healthy and adaptive distractions

My remarks from the Winter Institute of the New York State Council of
School Superintendents in March 2023.