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.

Collin Johnson

The education system does not sufficiently prepare youth today for the challenges of the real world. I believe it’s imperative for them to begin learning about trades- that not everyone is cut out for college, and that’s ok.
We should be teaching them about personal finances- how to create a budget, what a credit score is, and how to file taxes.
We should be showing them how to apply for jobs, build a resume, and proper interview etiquette. Read More>>

Jonathan Andrews

I believe that aptitude tests should be standard in high school. To help young people to figure out what they can excel at and start training that direction. For some kids, that is college. For some it is technical schools. For others, school may not be the best thing for them, and they can develop a skill and market it with minimal training. Lawn guys and House cleaners are honest hard work, and should be seen as respectable jobs. Apprenticeships would also be a valuable option for young people. Read More>>

Michael O’Neill

Working with students today, my biggest challenge is engagement. One of the biggest changes in society in the last 10 years has been how pervasive digital devices have become, and for students who grew up with them, it is becoming increasingly difficult for students to sustain meaningful interactions without being distracted. As an educator, I’m working hard to make my engagement with students personal, focused and meaningful, I know that when these student enter the workplace, they will be expected to connect in an authentic way with employers and clients. Read More>>

Chris Overlay

There were two big things missing from my college education: sales and a focus on small/medium sized business models. I earned my degree in Business Administration with a focus on marketing. The overall curriculum was solid, don’t get me wrong. It was fascinating to learn from excellent case studies on major brands like Coca-Cola and Sears and how they faced different market conditions. Buyer behavior was an especially interesting topic to me. However, my 12+ year career in marketing has been primarily focused on working with small and medium-sized businesses. Furthermore, every single position I’ve held as some form of Marketing Account Manager has involved sales. Read More>>