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.

Rebecca Dollard

The biggest thing students need for a more fulfilling life and career is emotional IQ and resilience. Emotional IQ is the ability to understand, use, and manage your own emotions in positive ways. EQ is commonly defined by self- management, self-awareness, social awareness, and relationship management. Read more>>

Gordon Lyng

I have worked in education for the last 10 years all over the country. I have held a plethora of positions and can proudly say I have impacted over 1200 students nationwide and have collaborated with 100’s of educational professionals. I can confidently say that this industry is one I care deeply for. Read more>>

Rachel Averch

I would change the educational system to a Montessori curriculum and Montessori Pedagogy because I believe that it is the best method of education for helping children reach their full and unique potential. We can prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career by helping them find their own passions, be adaptable, be self-motivated, and have strong intrinsic motivation for learning and for life goals. Read more>>

Lindsay Jones

Life today is over-structured and over-scheduled. Children bear the brunt of parental stress from managing households, schedules, life, and work all while attending school and trying to grow/learn. The education system had an opportunity to re-establish goals and adapt following COVID and it hasn’t, yet. I truly believe that children grow best when given ample opportunity to play, socialize, and create. Allowing children to grow and develop their own personalities and ways of thinking prior to forcing structured and over-scheduled life would change the world we live in. Read more>>

Lindsy Richards

To be honest, I believe that most of the educational system borders on useless for today’s world. There is too much focus on ‘classic subjects’ and not enough on the relevant and practical. I’m in favor of students acquiring actual skills that empower lives and set up the foundation for launching true interests and passions. The paradigm of memorizing and regurgitating information is soul sucking, and most of us are not inspired to learn that way. Plus we have the internet now, people! If I had a school these would be some classes that would be required at the Lindsy Richards Academy of Kicking A$$. Read more>>

Sarah Clayborn

Back when I was in high school, I’ve always wondered why it wasn’t required to teach students about different careers they could have. It was always y=mx+b, but never lessons on how to grow your business rapidly. I understand not everyone wants to be part of the typical job list like a business owner, lawyer, doctor, etc. There are other ways students can learn to make money that schools fail to teach; for instance, the stock market, Amazon FBA, yoga instructors, artists, social media influencers, food styling, Read more>>

Azulita

Students today are facing a world with many more distractions and pressures than in the past. Schools are having budgets slashed with expectations on educators being increased exponentially. While we, as a small business, have little sway over the politics and funding of education, we have made it a mission to support and inspire learners and educators. We create interactive materials and activities, appropriate for all learners, that help them embrace their authentic selves while setting goals for fulfilling lives. Read more>>

carrie gustafson

Without question a business class should be implemented into any art education program.  Pricing, shipping, insurance, marketing.  Across the board artist’s of immeasurable talent struggle with how to run a business.  And I have soaring admiration for my peers who have been able to navigate these areas and maintain their creative spirit. Read more>>

Briah Duncan

The greatest change the education system could find advantageous is the active encouragement of creativity as a means of problem solving. I remember being in high school, I would often get called out for doing math “Backwards.” This meant, coming to the same final answer, but with a different method than how the teacher often taught it. Read more>>

Stephen Wolf

As an educator, I see all types of students pass my way, from the overachievers to those who have so much going on at home, they can barely function in a classroom setting. We have a strong emphasis on content knowledge and I believe that is important. However, few students will make it as doctors and lawyers or as sports professionals. We need other options for students to find their passions. We need plumbers and electricians, mechanics and restaurant workers. We need opportunities for students to shine in areas they never thought to experience before. Read more>>