Our children are our future. Education is at the heart at developing their skills and abilities and yet year after year we hear about the degrading state of our educational system. Our nation has spent trillions of dollars on failed programs that research and experts had promised would work. Achievement gaps persist, performance declines are accelerating and so it is of paramount importance that we explore novel ideas and solutions. You might not agree with many or any of the ideas below, and we certainly are not endorsing policies – our hope is just to create a space where bright, dedicated folks from the community can share their ideas – so that we can all come together and better understand each others experiences, concerns and how we might move forward together to build a brighter future.

Kyla Maciosek

I’m passionate about transforming the education system to better prepare students for a fulfilling life and career. One crucial change I advocate for is integrating more play-based learning into the curriculum. Research consistently emphasizes the significance of play in holistic child development. To build a strong educational foundation, we must prioritize experiential learning over early academic pressure. What “we” (the collective) often forget is that we have to lay a great foundation in order to build upon it. When we shove pencils into little hands that don’t have the muscle strength to hold them yet we’re trying to build the walls before the floor. When we make children memorize facts before they’ve had the chance to explore their own unique environment we’ve put up walls without ever putting in a door. Read more>>

Adrian Doty, Esq.

It is amazing how law school does little to prepare students on how to actually practice law. Law school focuses on the black-letter law and how to pass the Bar Exam. However, students are not taught the day-to-day of being a lawyer. For example, most law grads do not know how to file a lawsuit. Other than taking courses that are subjects on the Bar Exam, law students should also focus their education on skills that they will actually utilize when they become attorneys. For example, my Trial Advocacy and Counseling/Negotiation courses were the most important subjects for me as they directly relate to my current practice every single day. They were far more helpful than general subject courses like Business Associations or Constitutional Law. Read more>>

Lindsey Daugherty

Every child, regardless of their background, deserves access to an excellent education that empowers them to reach their full potential. In Colorado, our education system faces numerous challenges, from racial inequities to students’ unmet mental health needs. But if we truly want to set up our youth for fulfilling futures, we must prioritize better support for our teachers. In the Colorado legislature, we’ve made progress by implementing loan forgiveness programs, offering stipends for new educators, and pushing for more competitive salaries. However, we still have a long way to go to truly elevate this essential, invaluable profession. Read more>>

Patrick Butler

When I was growing up I didn’t think it was possible to be creative for a career. To be honest it never even crossed my mind. I sort of figured when I grew up I’d be doing some job that I really don’t like. For me, the most important thing to do in education is to keep young people feeling inspired and excited about learning. As an adult, I’ve rediscovered a love of learning. The things I’m most interested in and good at can be channeled into a successful career. That realization is invigorating. Read more>>

Holly Berkley

I think it’s important for students to understand how they can get more hands-on education and skills they can use right away in the workforce. I also think having more guest speakers who can provide real world advice in a way that perhaps parents and teachers can’t, is essential to helping students choose a path that would help them live a more fulfilling life by understanding the benefits (ands struggles) of certain career paths early on. Invite business owners, nutritionists, athletes, social media experts, people who are working in fields that students are interested in. Read more>>

Mary Montague

I would love for meditation to be taught in schools, in the simplest way and accessible to all. Here are examples of how it could be implemented: 1.) After lunch, students come into their classroom where the lights are dimmed and soft music is playing. They sit at their desks for 2-5 minutes in silence. Then academic work begins. Read more>>

Alexander F.L. Newberry

Primary education needs to be gamified as much as possible. Science tells us that kids learning through games do so more quickly and effectively. Numberella Deluxe is a game that proves this. For two years running, kids playing for only 1 hour per week improved their end of year exam grades twice as much as their peers in the control group (in the same grade level, at the same school) who had not being playing the game. Poor numeracy costs the economy billions of dollars and denies millions of children (usually from low income households) the chance to fulfil their potential. It doesn’t need to be like this! Read more>>

Kasey Brandenburg

I would change the education system to add in the business/customer service side of the industry, not just the basics of our craft. I went to a school that taught me how to not only create a positive atmosphere for my clients and their service but also how to retain the client, educate the client, and other resources to use to ensure my future in the industry is successful. It was very honest in the fact that it’s going to take hard work, dedication and continued education to grow and and be successful. I’m noticing alot of “newbies” going out on their own, relying only on social media to bring the clients in and getting frustrated by the lack of work and money being generated. Read more>>

Maddy Mandon

While building and running Disco Decorum, I also teach 5th-grade math and science in a New Orleans public school. Educational experiences vary so wildly across our country that effectively defining a fulfilling life & career for students requires a deep understanding of the many variants among communities. Socioeconomic access can place different lenses on defining success. Students must be exposed to different definitions of success and choices to truly participate. Through my experience with Disco Decorum, I have been able to use skills & strengths that traditional education did not allow space for me to try. Teachers can support students in pursuing a fulfilling life & career by creating space for students to be their authentic selves. Developing an understanding of self will foster genuine career paths. Read more>>

Johnnie Sanchez

Children are extremely important to me. I’m a big supporter of Kate’s Club in Atlanta. Kate’s Club is a community for children and teens, their families, and young adults experiencing the death of someone close to them. This is close to my heart because both of my parents opposite sex parent died when they were young. I think the government needs to fund schools basic needs – period. I also think society would be expereience a decrease in depression and mental health issues if we ensured that our children were given access to higher emotional wellness tools. This includes learning about emotions, affect regulation, breathing exercises, receiving healthy meals, less homework, etc. Read more>>

Meridith Ford

I think we focus too much on a college degree. We need more focus on vocational education. The pandemic proved that we don’t have enough plumbers, carpenters, engineers, etc. The system in Europe is a good model. Read more>>