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.

Dawn Leonard

I work in women’s health and wellness and so I know that this subject is just barely discussed in middle school health class. We live in our bodies all our lives and yet the connection we have with these instruments is at best something that we must master, and at worst disempowered and traumatic. For women and girls the information about our bodies has been systemically removed and often shrouded in shame, guilt and fear. But female bodies are amazing! Read more>>

Keiona Jackson

The change I would like to see in the culinary and hospitality industry; is that students should be required to complete an externship with a business in their field in order to graduate. Formidable Culinary Consultants is an organization I created out of a need for culinarians. Many of my collogues graduated from culinary school and choose to instantly go into business for themselves; the majority has no official training at all. Read more>>

Jennifer Duggins

I taught college level Composition 1 & 2 and then moved to public education where I taught middle school for another 13 years. All of my years teaching in public school were spent at economically disadvantaged campuses-one predominantly Hispanic and the other predominantly black. I did spend one year at a charter school but was disgusted by the practices and false information spread about public schools so I left. Read more>>

Camille Suarez

Trade school is almost unorthodox in nature because the traditional route-post high school-is college. I believe the best thing for someone who is looking for experience-and an occupation within two to three years-is to learn a trade. Prospects are, often times, able to learn, grow a skill and essentially make money before a four-year college student graduates. With that developed skill and experience, they will have the option to enter confidently into the workplace or start their own business, like I did. Read more>>

Latoya Whitfield

If there’s one thing I’d change, it would be to include a course on discovering your purpose. Too often, children are pushed into a predetermined mold, especially when they have big dreams. The usual advice is to go to college and land a high-paying corporate job. While that may seem appealing, everyone’s journey is unique. We must never make children feel inferior for choosing a different path. Read more>>

Naomi Meredith

Growing up, I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher. When I applied for college, I eagerly declared my major in Elementary Education, graduated in 4 years, and got my first teaching job as a 2nd grade teacher right out of college. While starting out teaching 2nd grade in a Title 1 school where students needed a lot more support in a variety of ways, something else stuck out to me. Engaging learning experiences will trump a cute worksheet any day. Read more>>

Vanessa Szymanski

I feel that the biggest flaw in the education system is the disconnect between introducing students to the knowledge and core principles they need to acquire to excel in their field and the actual introduction to the day to day environment they would be working in. It is difficult to make a life path decision on how you will be spending a majority of your living hours on Earth without spending an actual day in the physical working environment. Read more>>

Aquayemi-Claude Garnett Akinsanya

The Claudes SEN Law Campaign, known as GCBR and TCSL Campaign. Personal believe we are required to understand the important difference between Independent Placements,  Specialist  Education, Mainstream from Neurodiverse/Hidden Disabilities  Educational placements, which would be known as Independent  Specialist placements for example trained teachers assistances, 7 class size with support including for Neurodiverse students with additional exam support included. Read more>>

Brianna Williams

As far as my industry goes I would have better training for students who are seeing a career in journalism. Have meetings with professors and professionals at tv/radio stations to come up with a plan to better prepare students for the working wold. I think it happens far too often that what some were taught in school is not what they are required to know for their employer. Read more>>