Lise's Lens: February 15, 2024
The increasing importance of human skills in the workplace, the meaning of Valentine’s Day, and delightful jazz music are all on my mind this week!
WHAT I’M READING
- My colleague Tara in the Admissions Office shared this New York Times opinion piece with my about the importance of human skills in the age of AI. It makes me think about parents and guardians who are wondering about the best high school choice and college choice for their student. It also demonstrates the increasing value and importance of a CSW education. We are at an inflection point in so many ways, particularly with the increased power of generative AI; many of us still don’t know its full potential, or the impact it will have on the workforce. More than ever, we have to be lifelong learners and thinkers.One comment from the article drew my attention: “Employers will need to be educators not just around A.I. tools, but also on people skills and people-to-people collaboration… Major employers are already exploring ways to put A.I. in the hands of employees so they can spend less time on routine tasks and more time on personal engagement with customers.”I am also pondering this line quoting Minouche Shafik (president of Columbia University) who says: “In the past, jobs were about muscles. Now they’re about brains, but in the future, they'll be about heart.”
WHAT I’M THINKING/TALKING ABOUT
- This year Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday landed on the same day. For some folks like me, it was a day to celebrate; my dad was born on Valentine’s Day. But it was also a day to mourn the passing of an important mother figure to me. Both are matters of the heart, and it’s amazing how our hearts can be a vessel for love, grief, and mending all at the same time. This Instagram post spoke to that so well I thought I’d share it. (Thanks @tillystrauss for this post!).
WHAT I'M WATCHING/LISTENING TO
- The Gann Academy Jazz Ensemble — with the help of a few familiar faces from CSW — put on a spectacular performance at our assembly this week. They performed an ecclectic selection of music bringing together all different genres. The set list is pasted below for those who are interested. I particularly enjoyed the last piece they performed — a hybrid Klezmer-Mambo arrangement. Many thanks to Music Chair Michael Weinstein, and Gann Academy Music Director Aaron Kula for making this happen!1. “Bo Yiddly” Arranged for Jazz Band by Chaim Rubinov2. “Don't Get Around Much Anymore” by Duke Ellington and Bob Russell, Arranged for Jazz Band by Michael Sweeney3. “I Got Rhythm” by George and Ira Gershwin, arranged for Jazz Band by Eddie Santer4. “Fly Me To The Moon,” words and Music by Bart Howard, arranged for Jazz Band by Michael Sweeney5. “Mambo Frailach,” original klezmer tune by Alexander Olshanetsky (1892-1946). Aaron Kula arranged it to fit a Latin Mambo groove.
WHAT CAUGHT MY EYE
Here’s a photo from the stellar jazz performance this week! Can you spot the CSW faces?
The Cambridge School of Weston is a progressive high school for day and boarding students in grades 9–12 and PG. CSW's mission is to provide a progressive education that emphasizes deep learning, meaningful relationships, and a dynamic program that inspires students to discover who they are and what their contribution is to their school, their community and the world.