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.

Codie Henry

In the world of beauty, the educational system is subpar at best. With licensure the end all be all of education curriculum, it begins to look more like a roadblock than an opportunity.

The business of beauty is complex. Schools should divert resources to teaching the next generation the basics of business and labor laws. Read more>>

Calvin Chiu

To give you a little background on myself—I spent six years at the University of Michigan, earning a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering and a master’s in biomedical engineering. At the time, it just felt like the “right” move—safe, respected, and stable. But looking back, no one really encouraged me to stop and ask the deeper questions: What do I actually care about? What kind of life do I want to live? Read more>>

Yahnnica Tate

Growing up, my grades were never anything to brag about, but when it came to subjects that truly sparked my interest and real-life experiences, I was always an overachiever. Writing and building relationships have always been my passions, and I’ve managed to turn those interests into a fulfilling career. Read more>>

Jeffrey Garrett

I think we have for too long taken for granted the system of public education in this country, and the immense accomplishment it represents as a physical embodiment of our commitment to democracy. Like with all great social endeavors, it has certainly not been without its flaws. But in this moment, as public education is under unprecedented attack from the federal government, and in many states across the nation, we must start any conversation about the future of education by grounding in the basic principle that public education is an indispensable public good, and that all people in this nation have a right to a high quality, free, public education. Read more>>