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.

Emily Canibano

If I could change the education system, the first thing I would address is the lack of individualization in public education. Far too often, students are expected to fit into a standardized curriculum that doesn’t account for their unique learning styles, strengths, or challenges. The cookie-cutter approach to education, where all students are expected to meet the same benchmarks at the same pace, does a disservice to those who need more tailored support or advanced challenges. This one-size-fits-all model not only limits academic potential but also fails to foster a love of learning for many students. Read more>>

Marian Hagi Hassan

I’d like to start with having a passion in the arts social behavioral sciences and my major is in political science and criminal defense. My creative side is the artistic approach. Specifically, makeup artistry I use cosmetics to help pour out any negative emotions I’m feeling. For example, I’m a small business owner of a cosmetic line names Marians beauty boutique, the influence and passion that stems from this brand is Mental health meets makeup. My creative approach has uplifted many consuming customers I founded this business to uplift the routine and attitude of selfcare. I have been blessed enough to be recognized in SD v*yager magazine and rewarded best makeup artist of the year 2 years in a row. From runway and fashion shows to celebrity clients of MTV and being recognized by local news station such as Kusi and CBS. Read more>>

Margarita Parsamyan

I can clearly remember how music lessons shaped my value system from a very young age. I started singing in a choir at the age of 5, and we had 3-hour rehearsals twice a week. It sounds intense, right? It was incredibly demanding. I had to learn around 100 songs a month, even before I could read. With the help of my mom, we found the quickest ways to memorize the music, and it trained my brain to perform mental tasks that were far beyond what most 5-year-olds experience—memorizing songs and lyrics in languages I didn’t even speak at the time. I’m so grateful for this experience because it instilled in me discipline, focus, and determination at an early age. Read more>>