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.

Ves Marinova

I would start by shifting the focus from a one-size-fits-all approach to a more holistic, individualized learning experience. The traditional education system often emphasizes rote memorization and standardized testing, which doesn’t nurture the full spectrum of a student’s potential. Instead, I would advocate for a curriculum that blends practical business skills, emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and personal development alongside academic subjects. By teaching students how to manage their emotions, build resilience, and connect with their purpose, we could create future leaders who are not only knowledgeable but also deeply self-aware and emotionally intelligent. Read more>>

Marshella Lie

If I could change one thing about the education system to better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career, it would be to place a much greater emphasis on emotional intelligence, real-world problem solving, and self-discovery—starting at a young age. As we are all aware of, education often focuses on memorization and standardized testing, but doesn’t leave enough room for students to explore who they are, what they care about, and how they want to contribute to the world. Read more>>

Vantrel Mainor

Having been in Higher Education for almost 19 years and still counting, one of the things I would change is incorporating more courses that address soft skills. Critical thinking, problem solving, conflict resolution, etc. are just some of the examples of what students will need to maintain a competitive advantage. Earning a degree is the expectation, but possessing strong soft skills makes a student exceptional. From my experience, I have observed students who have exhibited these skills; however, I have seen just as many who struggle with these skills. Read more>>

Hillary Caltagirone

In my own educational experience, I wish there was more of a focus on practical business skills and discussions on the potential to be an entrepreneur, rather than just leading kids to assume the best option is for them is to get a degree and go work for a company. I think this is true across the board, but especially so with creative occupations and the trades. Read more>>

Natalie Lanners

Although I am a full time wedding hair stylist now, my original career was as an elementary school teacher. Unfortunately I did not teach very long, but it did give me a glimpse into the education system and how I believe it is failing both its teachers and students because of the lack of support, standardized testing, and the push for 4 year college. Read more>>

Mahara Wayman

The kindest thing anyone has ever done for me is to truly believe in me. My parents raised me with the unwavering conviction that I could accomplish anything I set my mind to. This foundation of confidence shaped who I became.

This gift continued throughout my professional life. An early boss, David Peak, offered me the rare opportunity to lead and learn without the fear of judgment, creating a safe space for growth and development. Read more>>

Erin Cruz

One of the challenges I’ve witnessed in the yoga industry, especially in large cities/metro areas is saturation of the market. Where I live in DFW, there are countless studios – private, chains, gyms, etc. – which means job opportunities for teachers, but a lot of competition within the community. To take that one step further, many studios offer teacher training programs to remain profitable, but that also adds saturation to the pool of teachers. Even with specialization such as sound healing, breathwork and retreats, all of which I offer, there are a lot of talented folks in my area doing very similar things. The key for me has been remaining true to myself and my own strengths as a teacher, not trying to do it all, and the realization that this will attract the students and folks I’m meant to work with. Read more>>