The number one thing we hear from entrepreneurs and artists and creatives when we ask them about their education is about how irrelevant it was to their story. Sure, some folks had wonderful educational experiences, but for many their experiences left them feeling ill prepared for life and their careers. So, we wanted to create a space for folks to share their experiences and ideas for how we can improve our educational system.

Leah Wright

When we consider classes for young kids or teenagers to take to prepare them for the “real world” it is important to remember that there are “real world” jobs in the arts. There are truly so many opportunities available, but they require specific training and education. Most high schools are quick to cut art programs in favor of sports or other extra curricular activities which limits these kids on the actual possibilities that lay before them. Read more>>

Melissa Jacob

You don’t know, what you don’t know… Neither of my parents work in an artistic field. Going into college, I had a grand list of TWO occupations in the art field that I knew I could earn some sort of consistent income: museum curator, or teaching an art class. That was it. Read more>>

Derrius Mallory

If I was given the opportunity to change some things about the educational system, I’d like to say three things at minimum: – Creating better learning paths (curriculum guides) for students.  Increased funding for schools/teachers. – More focus leadership/success coaching positions. I believe that more in-depth focus towards improving these three areas could improve our education system and help prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career. Let’s dive a bit deeper into why! 1. Creating better learning paths (curriculum guides) for students. Read more>>

Kimberly Dixon

Financial literacy is a critical missing component of our educational system. Basic understanding of credit, debt, taxes, earning pathways that include degrees and/ or a trade could go a long way towards graduating students into self sufficient and productive citizens. Read more>> 

Dionna Carter

I have a major fear of failure. This, paired with my unrealistically high expectations of myself, has at times invoked strong feelings of self-doubt and anxiety, and made it difficult to pursue what I am most passionate about. You may ask how this ties into the educational system. Read more>>

Tiera Chin

I spent two years teaching 6th grade math in Baltimore. During that time I met my husband who has been an educator for 10+ years. After teaching, I spent 9 years as a consultant meeting with educators and providing strategic guidance to the highest leaders of various school districts. Consequently, the educational system Is a common topic of discussion in my household. Read more>>

Jamiah Mitchell

I believe that the educational system has lost its way as time passed. There are so many things that are different and so many things that should have remained. My focus is on the real world. From my personal experience, the school system did a poor job in preparing me for the real world. As most can relate, students are not taught to strive for what they’re passionate about. We are taught to get good grades, go to college, and land a good-paying position in whatever it is we get a degree in, which in most cases, never happen. Read more>>

Nathaniel Moore

I went to college pretty much because that was the main option presented to me. Looking back, if I had been presented an opportunity to do a long-term apprenticeship at a marketing firm or record label that would have been much more beneficial. Read more>>

Lancy Stubbs

I think in today’s time, we are in a generation where the traditional thought of going to college for 4 years and getting a degree is really not the way anymore. We see more and more robots taking over jobs that once needed human labor. I think trades should be apart of high school teaching. Show the youth that you can make a great living without the 4 year degree. Read more>>

Akil Eckford

Something I would change in the educational system now is to bring entrepreneurship & Financial literacy as a main subjects in school just like math, English and science is. I feel like that will definitely prepare students for the real world nowadays. Those things aren’t taught in school and it will actually help students out in the long run. Read more>>

David Lance

The industrial age (1760-1840) was a hugely important time in American history. Factories became important and increasing production was the main goal. Schooling became a state-run institution (Common Schools Movement) that moved kids from schoolhouses with all ages of students learning together to one of the successive levels with an age-appropriate curriculum. In 1905, we started measuring student intelligence through tests. Read more>>