Future of Education - How Education Needs to Improve

Education has been a topic of interest and passion for me going all the way back to 3rd grade and having one of the best role models and teachers ever (shoutout to you Mr. Agasa)! As I progressed through school I had ups and downs. The awkwardness and lack of confidence of middle school. Finding community and new growth in High School through student government. College experience trying to find my spot all over again and watching how the model of education really seamed to be a roll of the dice.

Education, teachers, and new experiences can truly be unlocking experiences but overall is it really living up to what it can be? I know I was blessed but I have been reminded again and again how it is leaving students behind or selling a broken vision.

I have learned a lot about school both from within the structure, as a researcher and entrepreneur in the space, and just my curiosity and exploration of others experience going through it. The main conclusion that I have found is that our industrial era education model is failing more and more at preparing young people for the emotional, economic, and quickly changing reality of the world.

What do we do than? There are of course new models of schooling, innovators, and leaders in the space - but when more than 10 young people a day are taking their own lives and we get reports of record breaking anxiety, loneliness, stress, and feelings of unpreparedness at what point do we start to call things out as failing. And again - what do we do?

Well big problems are tackled little by little by collecting information, spreading awareness, raising up of new ideas, and bringing together a team of people who are willing to put in the energy to move things in the direction of positive change. Of course in many states and especially here in Colorado we need to raise funds for teachers, counselors, and support staff. The staff at schools make a huge difference and we need to support those doing the work now.

In terms of where it goes... well that is a longer conversation. I have heard good things from community models and other innovative approaches. Allowing for college credits in high school has been huge for students and families but is there more we could do to allow affordability and exploration? We also see that start times and additional programming helps benefit outcomes and wellbeing of students. Social, emotional, and collaborative learning too can lead to preparedness through and after school. For now though the conversation continues as we connect and talk to stakeholder groups, make this a pillar of our campaign, and see what is possible within the structures and systems we do have.