Taking Calls Less Literally, Missing Children, and Black-Market Calories

Teacher Magazine ’s take on education news from around the Web, Feb. 18-24.

That old trope about it never being too late to make a first impression has never been more true than in Scottsdale, Arizona. Callers to the school district office are now greeted by the voice of the Director of First Impressions , formerly known as the receptionist. If a parent calls to complain about a late school bus, the Director might transfer him to somebody in charge of the bus driver—er, Transporter of Learners. Or if the caller has a curriculum question, she could please hold for—ahem—the Executive Director for Elementary Schools and Excelling Teaching and Learning (the guy who used to be an assistant superintendent). All these highfalutin title inflations owe their existence to superintendent John Baracy, whose own title remains unchanged. “This is to make a statement about what we value in the district,” he explained. Liz Ryan, a former human resources professional who founded a Web site about women’s workplace issues, had a slightly different take: “ ‘Director of First Impressions’ makes...