so first off thank you so much for having me this is an incredible
having me this is an incredible
having me this is an incredible opportunity and thanks again to all the
opportunity and thanks again to all the
opportunity and thanks again to all the students who put this so education you
students who put this so education you
students who put this so education you know if all of the issues you’re gonna
know if all of the issues you’re gonna
know if all of the issues you’re gonna hear about today I would argue that
hear about today I would argue that
hear about today I would argue that education is the worst and not the worst
education is the worst and not the worst
education is the worst and not the worst that like physically harms us the most
that like physically harms us the most
that like physically harms us the most it’s just the worst you know we’ve all
it’s just the worst you know we’ve all
it’s just the worst you know we’ve all we all grew up went through the same
we all grew up went through the same
we all grew up went through the same education system and it makes us feel
education system and it makes us feel
education system and it makes us feel tired it makes us feel despair it makes
tired it makes us feel despair it makes
tired it makes us feel despair it makes us feel frustrated you know even Brock
us feel frustrated you know even Brock
us feel frustrated you know even Brock Obama can’t get through a class without
Obama can’t get through a class without
Obama can’t get through a class without you know ball and svet head back and
you know ball and svet head back and
you know ball and svet head back and saying is this really the best way and
saying is this really the best way and
saying is this really the best way and every month it’s like we hear another
every month it’s like we hear another
every month it’s like we hear another study came out Oh a new international
study came out Oh a new international
study came out Oh a new international test in America’s last or America fell
test in America’s last or America fell
test in America’s last or America fell you know American students they’re
you know American students they’re
you know American students they’re really confident but you know not that
really confident but you know not that
really confident but you know not that bright and so education is this
bright and so education is this
bright and so education is this seemingly intractable issue but it’s
seemingly intractable issue but it’s
seemingly intractable issue but it’s unique in that we’ve all experienced it
unique in that we’ve all experienced it
unique in that we’ve all experienced it and so what’s strange is why is this why
and so what’s strange is why is this why
and so what’s strange is why is this why is the system so terrible because when
is the system so terrible because when
is the system so terrible because when you think about the idea of learning
you think about the idea of learning
you think about the idea of learning which is this act that the education
which is this act that the education
which is this act that the education system is meant to facilitate that
system is meant to facilitate that
system is meant to facilitate that actually produces completely different
actually produces completely different
actually produces completely different feelings in our mind yeah I bet even
feelings in our mind yeah I bet even
feelings in our mind yeah I bet even hearing that word is this idea of
hearing that word is this idea of
hearing that word is this idea of unleashing our minds becoming better
unleashing our minds becoming better
unleashing our minds becoming better versions of ourselves exploring our
versions of ourselves exploring our
versions of ourselves exploring our curiosity you’re feeling motivated
curiosity you’re feeling motivated
curiosity you’re feeling motivated feeling empowered even today in today’s
feeling empowered even today in today’s
feeling empowered even today in today’s world with digital connectivity I would
world with digital connectivity I would
world with digital connectivity I would argue learning something new and the
argue learning something new and the
argue learning something new and the idea of that even is you know dare I say
idea of that even is you know dare I say
idea of that even is you know dare I say cool and this is me if you’re curious
cool and this is me if you’re curious
cool and this is me if you’re curious ninth grade
ninth grade
ninth grade and yes that is a real go T it took me
and yes that is a real go T it took me
and yes that is a real go T it took me about 18 months to grow this this was
about 18 months to grow this this was
about 18 months to grow this this was the only time in my life where I was
the only time in my life where I was
the only time in my life where I was cool it’s my license to cool phase but
cool it’s my license to cool phase but
cool it’s my license to cool phase but you know going through college that’s
you know going through college that’s
you know going through college that’s when my intellectual curiosity really
when my intellectual curiosity really
when my intellectual curiosity really took off and like many of us I feel like
took off and like many of us I feel like
took off and like many of us I feel like we shared that experience and so I
we shared that experience and so I
we shared that experience and so I started asked myself why is this why is
started asked myself why is this why is
started asked myself why is this why is the education experience and system so
the education experience and system so
the education experience and system so intractable and so boring and at the end
intractable and so boring and at the end
intractable and so boring and at the end of my emery experience I graduated back
of my emery experience I graduated back
of my emery experience I graduated back in 2012 I was a philosophy major so my
in 2012 I was a philosophy major so my
in 2012 I was a philosophy major so my career path wasn’t exactly carved out
career path wasn’t exactly carved out
career path wasn’t exactly carved out and Teach for America actually provided
and Teach for America actually provided
and Teach for America actually provided me with the opportunity to jump into the
me with the opportunity to jump into the
me with the opportunity to jump into the classroom and find out what exactly was
classroom and find out what exactly was
classroom and find out what exactly was up in in education so I became a high
up in in education so I became a high
up in in education so I became a high school teacher I taught ninth and tenth
school teacher I taught ninth and tenth
school teacher I taught ninth and tenth grade social studies here in
grade social studies here in
grade social studies here in Lana and it was almost a cliche where I
Lana and it was almost a cliche where I
Lana and it was almost a cliche where I taught at this point I taught at
taught at this point I taught at
taught at this point I taught at Banneker high school so it’s a great
Banneker high school so it’s a great
Banneker high school so it’s a great school here in Atlanta but at the time
school here in Atlanta but at the time
school here in Atlanta but at the time it was struggling 42 percent graduation
it was struggling 42 percent graduation
it was struggling 42 percent graduation rate you know 97 percent of the students
rate you know 97 percent of the students
rate you know 97 percent of the students qualify for free and reduced lunch which
qualify for free and reduced lunch which
qualify for free and reduced lunch which means they’re at or below the poverty
means they’re at or below the poverty
means they’re at or below the poverty line and you know just historically in
line and you know just historically in
line and you know just historically in the last 10-15 years Banneker was not
the last 10-15 years Banneker was not
the last 10-15 years Banneker was not having a lot of success and in my first
having a lot of success and in my first
having a lot of success and in my first year I ran into a lot of the same
year I ran into a lot of the same
year I ran into a lot of the same problems you’d expect oh we need more
problems you’d expect oh we need more
problems you’d expect oh we need more teachers or the the standards are
teachers or the the standards are
teachers or the the standards are outdated the books are outdated now we
outdated the books are outdated now we
outdated the books are outdated now we just we just need more culture we need a
just we just need more culture we need a
just we just need more culture we need a better energy but none of those really
better energy but none of those really
better energy but none of those really felt like the fundamental issue because
felt like the fundamental issue because
felt like the fundamental issue because something wasn’t right something wasn’t
something wasn’t right something wasn’t
something wasn’t right something wasn’t hidden for me so my second year I
hidden for me so my second year I
hidden for me so my second year I actually figured out I think I had a
actually figured out I think I had a
actually figured out I think I had a moment and it’s when I met Natasha my
moment and it’s when I met Natasha my
moment and it’s when I met Natasha my second year I was teaching world history
second year I was teaching world history
second year I was teaching world history 10th grade class and in Georgia like in
10th grade class and in Georgia like in
10th grade class and in Georgia like in many states world history is actually a
many states world history is actually a
many states world history is actually a required course in order to graduate and
required course in order to graduate and
required course in order to graduate and so was second semester and every
so was second semester and every
so was second semester and every semester you get a you know new set of
semester you get a you know new set of
semester you get a you know new set of kids Natasha was in my fourth period
kids Natasha was in my fourth period
kids Natasha was in my fourth period class on my bday 38 kids in the
class on my bday 38 kids in the
class on my bday 38 kids in the classroom it was it was really a show I
classroom it was it was really a show I
classroom it was it was really a show I must say but Natasha was not like every
must say but Natasha was not like every
must say but Natasha was not like every other student in the class she wasn’t a
other student in the class she wasn’t a
other student in the class she wasn’t a tenth grader
tenth grader
tenth grader she was actually a twelfth grader she
she was actually a twelfth grader she
she was actually a twelfth grader she was 18 year old and she had failed world
was 18 year old and she had failed world
was 18 year old and she had failed world history the first time around and so it
history the first time around and so it
history the first time around and so it was spring time her last semester and
was spring time her last semester and
was spring time her last semester and she needed to pass my class in order to
she needed to pass my class in order to
she needed to pass my class in order to graduate so here she is start of the
graduate so here she is start of the
graduate so here she is start of the semester really motivated I’m motivated
semester really motivated I’m motivated
semester really motivated I’m motivated we start off well she’s doing okay but
we start off well she’s doing okay but
we start off well she’s doing okay but it was quickly became clear to me that
it was quickly became clear to me that
it was quickly became clear to me that Natasha like a lot of her peers and
Natasha like a lot of her peers and
Natasha like a lot of her peers and anybody who’s taught in underserved
anybody who’s taught in underserved
anybody who’s taught in underserved schools know this is actually a
schools know this is actually a
schools know this is actually a widespread issue that she was well
widespread issue that she was well
widespread issue that she was well behind academically you know her reading
behind academically you know her reading
behind academically you know her reading and writing were probably actually
and writing were probably actually
and writing were probably actually closer to her fifth or a sixth grade
closer to her fifth or a sixth grade
closer to her fifth or a sixth grade level her math is probably in that area
level her math is probably in that area
level her math is probably in that area as well and my course is a lot based on
as well and my course is a lot based on
as well and my course is a lot based on writing and reading and all that kind of
writing and reading and all that kind of
writing and reading and all that kind of stuff that she do in world history and
stuff that she do in world history and
stuff that she do in world history and so over the course of the semester
so over the course of the semester
so over the course of the semester Natasha’s Breanna struggle
Natasha’s Breanna struggle
Natasha’s Breanna struggle fast-forward we’re a week away from when
fast-forward we’re a week away from when
fast-forward we’re a week away from when I have to submit grades and I look up
I have to submit grades and I look up
I have to submit grades and I look up and at my grade book in the Tosh’s
and at my grade book in the Tosh’s
and at my grade book in the Tosh’s grades at a 55 now in Georgia or in
grades at a 55 now in Georgia or in
grades at a 55 now in Georgia or in Fulton County I should say you need a
Fulton County I should say you need a
Fulton County I should say you need a 70% in order to pass a class at that
70% in order to pass a class at that
70% in order to pass a class at that moment I knew there was no statistical
moment I knew there was no statistical
moment I knew there was no statistical way than Natasha could pass this class
way than Natasha could pass this class
way than Natasha could pass this class and I offered her tutorial I’d offer
and I offered her tutorial I’d offer
and I offered her tutorial I’d offer extra credit recovery packets extra
extra credit recovery packets extra
extra credit recovery packets extra tests these are all things that in
tests these are all things that in
tests these are all things that in underserved schools were oftentimes
underserved schools were oftentimes
underserved schools were oftentimes almost forced to do by our principals
almost forced to do by our principals
almost forced to do by our principals because our students are struggling
because our students are struggling
because our students are struggling being so behind and yet here Natasha is
being so behind and yet here Natasha is
being so behind and yet here Natasha is at 18 and she’s got a 55 so this is
at 18 and she’s got a 55 so this is
at 18 and she’s got a 55 so this is where I was put into a dilemma that also
where I was put into a dilemma that also
where I was put into a dilemma that also sparked some inspiration I was sitting
sparked some inspiration I was sitting
sparked some inspiration I was sitting there and I was deciding do I pass a
there and I was deciding do I pass a
there and I was deciding do I pass a Natasha or do I fail her now I bet
Natasha or do I fail her now I bet
Natasha or do I fail her now I bet everybody’s sitting here and your gut
everybody’s sitting here and your gut
everybody’s sitting here and your gut reaction was the same exact as mine
reaction was the same exact as mine
reaction was the same exact as mine Natasha earned a 55 it’s unfortunate
Natasha earned a 55 it’s unfortunate
Natasha earned a 55 it’s unfortunate she could have made better choices she
she could have made better choices she
she could have made better choices she could have taken advantage of extra
could have taken advantage of extra
could have taken advantage of extra credit of recovery of tutorial and so
credit of recovery of tutorial and so
credit of recovery of tutorial and so Natasha
Natasha
Natasha earned a 55 and I need to stand on the
earned a 55 and I need to stand on the
earned a 55 and I need to stand on the integrity of the class stand on the
integrity of the class stand on the
integrity of the class stand on the principle of the class and all the
principle of the class and all the
principle of the class and all the students who actually put in a lot of
students who actually put in a lot of
students who actually put in a lot of work and got passing grades and so
work and got passing grades and so
work and got passing grades and so Natasha should earn her failing grade I
Natasha should earn her failing grade I
Natasha should earn her failing grade I think viscerally that just feels like
think viscerally that just feels like
think viscerally that just feels like the right thing because she she’s you
the right thing because she she’s you
the right thing because she she’s you know facing the consequences of her
know facing the consequences of her
know facing the consequences of her actions however at this point in time I
actions however at this point in time I
actions however at this point in time I decided to take a step back and I said
decided to take a step back and I said
decided to take a step back and I said to myself okay well let’s look at the
to myself okay well let’s look at the
to myself okay well let’s look at the other side of the coin what happens if I
other side of the coin what happens if I
other side of the coin what happens if I fail natasha natashas 18 she comes from
fail natasha natashas 18 she comes from
fail natasha natashas 18 she comes from a school where a lot of kids drop out
a school where a lot of kids drop out
a school where a lot of kids drop out most don’t actually finish and so if I
most don’t actually finish and so if I
most don’t actually finish and so if I fail Natasha she’s not going to graduate
fail Natasha she’s not going to graduate
fail Natasha she’s not going to graduate yeah maybe she’ll come back in the
yeah maybe she’ll come back in the
yeah maybe she’ll come back in the summer or in the fall to get that one
summer or in the fall to get that one
summer or in the fall to get that one credit back up but the likelihood of
credit back up but the likelihood of
credit back up but the likelihood of that actually happening is really slim
that actually happening is really slim
that actually happening is really slim and so to me was is Natasha responsible
and so to me was is Natasha responsible
and so to me was is Natasha responsible completely let me definitely bear some
completely let me definitely bear some
completely let me definitely bear some responsibility but it all her fault
responsibility but it all her fault
responsibility but it all her fault but she ended up in world history again
but she ended up in world history again
but she ended up in world history again spring semester senior year and her life
spring semester senior year and her life
spring semester senior year and her life trajectory could be altered because of
trajectory could be altered because of
trajectory could be altered because of the fact that she couldn’t master my
the fact that she couldn’t master my
the fact that she couldn’t master my world history class where we’re talking
world history class where we’re talking
world history class where we’re talking about stuff that happened 5,000 years
about stuff that happened 5,000 years
about stuff that happened 5,000 years ago that honestly is not that relevant
ago that honestly is not that relevant
ago that honestly is not that relevant to her not that relevant to me but here
to her not that relevant to me but here
to her not that relevant to me but here we are and so if I fail her I’m gonna
we are and so if I fail her I’m gonna
we are and so if I fail her I’m gonna drastically alter her life prospects
drastically alter her life prospects
drastically alter her life prospects without a high school diploma in our
without a high school diploma in our
without a high school diploma in our country and in our world right now it’s
country and in our world right now it’s
country and in our world right now it’s really really challenging you really do
really really challenging you really do
really really challenging you really do not have a ton of options and so I asked
not have a ton of options and so I asked
not have a ton of options and so I asked what would you do you know do you pass
what would you do you know do you pass
what would you do you know do you pass her and you know you know honestly save
her and you know you know honestly save
her and you know you know honestly save her trajectory save her prospects
her trajectory save her prospects
her trajectory save her prospects or do you fail her and stand on
or do you fail her and stand on
or do you fail her and stand on principle because if you stand on
principle because if you stand on
principle because if you stand on principle you’re not actually gonna fix
principle you’re not actually gonna fix
principle you’re not actually gonna fix the system in that moment and that’s
the system in that moment and that’s
the system in that moment and that’s when it hit me why am I in this scenario
when it hit me why am I in this scenario
when it hit me why am I in this scenario why is a teacher am i sitting there
why is a teacher am i sitting there
why is a teacher am i sitting there having to face this ethical dilemma that
having to face this ethical dilemma that
having to face this ethical dilemma that you know in all truthfulness came up
you know in all truthfulness came up
you know in all truthfulness came up many times for me and many other
many times for me and many other
many times for me and many other teachers I knew that’s kind of beauty of
teachers I knew that’s kind of beauty of
teachers I knew that’s kind of beauty of teaching America’s you get to know a lot
teaching America’s you get to know a lot
teaching America’s you get to know a lot of teachers at different schools and we
of teachers at different schools and we
of teachers at different schools and we all face very similar problems and I was
all face very similar problems and I was
all face very similar problems and I was seeing myself why why is this happening
seeing myself why why is this happening
seeing myself why why is this happening I feel like I’m in the dark I feel like
I feel like I’m in the dark I feel like
I feel like I’m in the dark I feel like there’s no guiding principle I don’t
there’s no guiding principle I don’t
there’s no guiding principle I don’t know what the education system is meant
know what the education system is meant
know what the education system is meant to be doing and so I don’t know how to
to be doing and so I don’t know how to
to be doing and so I don’t know how to make this decision for Natasha and
make this decision for Natasha and
make this decision for Natasha and that’s where the question came to me
that’s where the question came to me
that’s where the question came to me what is the goal of Education after all
what is the goal of Education after all
what is the goal of Education after all can anybody agree upon it dude does
can anybody agree upon it dude does
can anybody agree upon it dude does anybody have an agreed-upon definition
anybody have an agreed-upon definition
anybody have an agreed-upon definition of education why we do it in the first
of education why we do it in the first
of education why we do it in the first place what’s the vision where are we
place what’s the vision where are we
place what’s the vision where are we going with this and now that I’ve worked
going with this and now that I’ve worked
going with this and now that I’ve worked in education and policy and the
in education and policy and the
in education and policy and the nonprofit sector and in the classroom I
nonprofit sector and in the classroom I
nonprofit sector and in the classroom I realized nobody really knows if you
realized nobody really knows if you
realized nobody really knows if you asked everybody in this room and
asked everybody in this room and
asked everybody in this room and everybody in education you would get
everybody in education you would get
everybody in education you would get tons of different answers some people
tons of different answers some people
tons of different answers some people today say the point of Education is to
today say the point of Education is to
today say the point of Education is to make everybody college and career-ready
make everybody college and career-ready
make everybody college and career-ready you know other people say it’s to
you know other people say it’s to
you know other people say it’s to develop a love of learning or a globally
develop a love of learning or a globally
develop a love of learning or a globally competitive workforce or to earn a
competitive workforce or to earn a
competitive workforce or to earn a college degree you go to college or to
college degree you go to college or to
college degree you go to college or to get a job even you know all these things
get a job even you know all these things
get a job even you know all these things depend on who you ask so if we think
depend on who you ask so if we think
depend on who you ask so if we think about Natasha you know in that scenario
about Natasha you know in that scenario
about Natasha you know in that scenario if it’s college and career-ready well
if it’s college and career-ready well
if it’s college and career-ready well what does that mean I mean she’s
what does that mean I mean she’s
what does that mean I mean she’s definitely not college ready from a
definitely not college ready from a
definitely not college ready from a skill standpoint she could be career
skill standpoint she could be career
skill standpoint she could be career ready depending on what’s career talking
ready depending on what’s career talking
ready depending on what’s career talking about but we don’t really know because
about but we don’t really know because
about but we don’t really know because no one’s told us no one’s decided no
no one’s told us no one’s decided no
no one’s told us no one’s decided no one’s define what that means if it’s
one’s define what that means if it’s
one’s define what that means if it’s develop a love of learning how do you
develop a love of learning how do you
develop a love of learning how do you measure that how do you teach that you
measure that how do you teach that you
measure that how do you teach that you know globally competitive workforce that
know globally competitive workforce that
know globally competitive workforce that could be something completely different
could be something completely different
could be something completely different and so as teachers and as educators
and so as teachers and as educators
and so as teachers and as educators there is no North Star there is no
there is no North Star there is no
there is no North Star there is no guiding light there is no purpose
guiding light there is no purpose
guiding light there is no purpose there’s no clearly defined goal and
there’s no clearly defined goal and
there’s no clearly defined goal and that’s the problem so why is it so
that’s the problem so why is it so
that’s the problem so why is it so difficult why is this question and this
difficult why is this question and this
difficult why is this question and this system so intractable at this point I
system so intractable at this point I
system so intractable at this point I think it comes down to two things the
think it comes down to two things the
think it comes down to two things the first one’s fairly obvious the education
first one’s fairly obvious the education
first one’s fairly obvious the education system as we know it was started in the
system as we know it was started in the
system as we know it was started in the Industrial Revolution and it was not
Industrial Revolution and it was not
Industrial Revolution and it was not meant for what it is today
meant for what it is today
meant for what it is today it was originally meant for routine to
it was originally meant for routine to
it was originally meant for routine to teach people basic skills they can
teach people basic skills they can
teach people basic skills they can work in factories or in the
work in factories or in the
work in factories or in the administrative State and it’s just been
administrative State and it’s just been
administrative State and it’s just been growing and growing and growing for the
growing and growing and growing for the
growing and growing and growing for the last hundred years and we’ve just been
last hundred years and we’ve just been
last hundred years and we’ve just been trying to fix it and force everything
trying to fix it and force everything
trying to fix it and force everything that’s a new into it the second is
that’s a new into it the second is
that’s a new into it the second is actually a deeper question education is
actually a deeper question education is
actually a deeper question education is how we prepare ourselves it’s how we
how we prepare ourselves it’s how we
how we prepare ourselves it’s how we prepare our children and so another
prepare our children and so another
prepare our children and so another reason why it’s so challenging for us to
reason why it’s so challenging for us to
reason why it’s so challenging for us to agree on the goal is because deciding
agree on the goal is because deciding
agree on the goal is because deciding what education is about is actually
what education is about is actually
what education is about is actually deciding what our purpose of our lives
deciding what our purpose of our lives
deciding what our purpose of our lives should be you know the purpose of our
should be you know the purpose of our
should be you know the purpose of our lives is to be productive then yeah
lives is to be productive then yeah
lives is to be productive then yeah education should probably be about
education should probably be about
education should probably be about routine and rigidity and and you know
routine and rigidity and and you know
routine and rigidity and and you know just doing the same thing over and over
just doing the same thing over and over
just doing the same thing over and over and so you produce as much as you
and so you produce as much as you
and so you produce as much as you possibly can
possibly can
possibly can if it’s about personal exploration then
if it’s about personal exploration then
if it’s about personal exploration then it should be about discovery it should
it should be about discovery it should
it should be about discovery it should be about challenging ourselves you know
be about challenging ourselves you know
be about challenging ourselves you know exploring each other and collaborating
exploring each other and collaborating
exploring each other and collaborating and all of that if it’s about sitting in
and all of that if it’s about sitting in
and all of that if it’s about sitting in front of screens and phones and TVs all
front of screens and phones and TVs all
front of screens and phones and TVs all day then maybe it should just be that
day then maybe it should just be that
day then maybe it should just be that maybe we should start earlier as you can
maybe we should start earlier as you can
maybe we should start earlier as you can see some people think we’re headed in
see some people think we’re headed in
see some people think we’re headed in that direction already and since we have
that direction already and since we have
that direction already and since we have no agreed-upon goal we’ve ended up in a
no agreed-upon goal we’ve ended up in a
no agreed-upon goal we’ve ended up in a credential driven system so here’s a
credential driven system so here’s a
credential driven system so here’s a short graph from the Georgia Public
short graph from the Georgia Public
short graph from the Georgia Public Policy Institute it’s a research study
Policy Institute it’s a research study
Policy Institute it’s a research study done a few years ago that honestly tells
done a few years ago that honestly tells
done a few years ago that honestly tells us a lot that we already know by 2020 65
us a lot that we already know by 2020 65
us a lot that we already know by 2020 65 percent of all jobs will require a cop
percent of all jobs will require a cop
percent of all jobs will require a cop some college or more and then 88 percent
some college or more and then 88 percent
some college or more and then 88 percent of all jobs will require at least a high
of all jobs will require at least a high
of all jobs will require at least a high school diploma so if Natasha doesn’t
school diploma so if Natasha doesn’t
school diploma so if Natasha doesn’t gather diploma she’s pretty much out of
gather diploma she’s pretty much out of
gather diploma she’s pretty much out of luck I mean there’s very very few job
luck I mean there’s very very few job
luck I mean there’s very very few job prospects and honestly they’re probably
prospects and honestly they’re probably
prospects and honestly they’re probably jobs that aren’t going to lead to
jobs that aren’t going to lead to
jobs that aren’t going to lead to sustained abilities to stability to a
sustained abilities to stability to a
sustained abilities to stability to a feeling of prosperity and so we’re in
feeling of prosperity and so we’re in
feeling of prosperity and so we’re in this credential driven society where a
this credential driven society where a
this credential driven society where a lot of times it doesn’t even matter what
lot of times it doesn’t even matter what
lot of times it doesn’t even matter what you studied for any seniors in the room
you studied for any seniors in the room
you studied for any seniors in the room you probably look at the jobs right now
you probably look at the jobs right now
you probably look at the jobs right now and it just says bachelor’s degree
and it just says bachelor’s degree
and it just says bachelor’s degree required and maybe it lists 10 majors
required and maybe it lists 10 majors
required and maybe it lists 10 majors but they don’t really care what you
but they don’t really care what you
but they don’t really care what you studied they just care can you learn are
studied they just care can you learn are
studied they just care can you learn are you capable are you resourceful but we
you capable are you resourceful but we
you capable are you resourceful but we have what now has turned into a really
have what now has turned into a really
have what now has turned into a really elaborate filtering system you know if
elaborate filtering system you know if
elaborate filtering system you know if Natasha gets that high school diploma it
Natasha gets that high school diploma it
Natasha gets that high school diploma it does not reflect her skillset by any
does not reflect her skillset by any
does not reflect her skillset by any means as I told you she’s on a fifth or
means as I told you she’s on a fifth or
means as I told you she’s on a fifth or sixth grade reading and writing level
sixth grade reading and writing level
sixth grade reading and writing level but she’s got the piece of paper so does
but she’s got the piece of paper so does
but she’s got the piece of paper so does it really matter now I’d ask people to
it really matter now I’d ask people to
it really matter now I’d ask people to imagine if we’re in a credential driven
imagine if we’re in a credential driven
imagine if we’re in a credential driven system what does success look like what
system what does success look like what
system what does success look like what the ideal credential different system
the ideal credential different system
the ideal credential different system look like is it really everybody has a
look like is it really everybody has a
look like is it really everybody has a high school diploma and a bachelor’s
high school diploma and a bachelor’s
high school diploma and a bachelor’s degree I think it takes everybody in
degree I think it takes everybody in
degree I think it takes everybody in this room probably less than five
this room probably less than five
this room probably less than five seconds to realize that that reality
seconds to realize that that reality
seconds to realize that that reality would be horrific it wouldn’t work
would be horrific it wouldn’t work
would be horrific it wouldn’t work everybody would be overqualified for all
everybody would be overqualified for all
everybody would be overqualified for all the jobs that the majority of our
the jobs that the majority of our
the jobs that the majority of our economy is based off of and nobody would
economy is based off of and nobody would
economy is based off of and nobody would want to do them we’re honestly not far
want to do them we’re honestly not far
want to do them we’re honestly not far from that right now and so this can’t be
from that right now and so this can’t be
from that right now and so this can’t be the way this should be when people look
the way this should be when people look
the way this should be when people look at the education system from the highest
at the education system from the highest
at the education system from the highest level and that’s what we really need to
level and that’s what we really need to
level and that’s what we really need to start thinking about because we need to
start thinking about because we need to
start thinking about because we need to find solutions that scale
find solutions that scale
find solutions that scale a lot of people in the state and federal
a lot of people in the state and federal
a lot of people in the state and federal policy levels honestly they look at it
policy levels honestly they look at it
policy levels honestly they look at it like it’s a factory now when you hear
like it’s a factory now when you hear
like it’s a factory now when you hear that you probably think it’s very
that you probably think it’s very
that you probably think it’s very negative and most of times when people
negative and most of times when people
negative and most of times when people talk about factories and education they
talk about factories and education they
talk about factories and education they mean it in a very negative way but I
mean it in a very negative way but I
mean it in a very negative way but I would argue that a factory isn’t a bad
would argue that a factory isn’t a bad
would argue that a factory isn’t a bad analogy because when you think of a
analogy because when you think of a
analogy because when you think of a massive you know the national scale we
massive you know the national scale we
massive you know the national scale we need it to be as consistent as efficient
need it to be as consistent as efficient
need it to be as consistent as efficient as a factory we need it to be repeatable
as a factory we need it to be repeatable
as a factory we need it to be repeatable and consistent where everybody we turn
and consistent where everybody we turn
and consistent where everybody we turn out competent after competent after
out competent after competent after
out competent after competent after competent person who can really push our
competent person who can really push our
competent person who can really push our society forward the problem with this
society forward the problem with this
society forward the problem with this analogy is that we are so far from being
analogy is that we are so far from being
analogy is that we are so far from being a factory we are nowhere close to this
a factory we are nowhere close to this
a factory we are nowhere close to this efficiency and this takes the humanity
efficiency and this takes the humanity
efficiency and this takes the humanity out of learning what we’re actually a
out of learning what we’re actually a
out of learning what we’re actually a lot closer to is something like this if
lot closer to is something like this if
lot closer to is something like this if you guys are familiar with like the Rube
you guys are familiar with like the Rube
you guys are familiar with like the Rube Goldberg concept it’s basically you just
Goldberg concept it’s basically you just
Goldberg concept it’s basically you just put a bunch of random stuff together and
put a bunch of random stuff together and
put a bunch of random stuff together and they all do something that essentially
they all do something that essentially
they all do something that essentially pushes out something really simple so in
pushes out something really simple so in
pushes out something really simple so in this one we’ve got a clock that you know
this one we’ve got a clock that you know
this one we’ve got a clock that you know sets off a firework that hits a bird or
sets off a firework that hits a bird or
sets off a firework that hits a bird or something and then eventually it just
something and then eventually it just
something and then eventually it just wipes the guy’s face with a napkin like
wipes the guy’s face with a napkin like
wipes the guy’s face with a napkin like that’s the goal of it that’s what
that’s the goal of it that’s what
that’s the goal of it that’s what education is right now every year it’s
education is right now every year it’s
education is right now every year it’s something different
something different
something different oh this year it’s standards or its class
oh this year it’s standards or its class
oh this year it’s standards or its class sizes or its stem or its you know the
sizes or its stem or its you know the
sizes or its stem or its you know the the size of the school or we need you
the size of the school or we need you
the size of the school or we need you know more of this type of school it’s
know more of this type of school it’s
know more of this type of school it’s all these little tweaks that we think
all these little tweaks that we think
all these little tweaks that we think are getting at the fundamental problem
are getting at the fundamental problem
are getting at the fundamental problem and it’s just oh it’s just this one
and it’s just oh it’s just this one
and it’s just oh it’s just this one tweak and once we do that then then
tweak and once we do that then then
tweak and once we do that then then we’re good it’ll start turning out more
we’re good it’ll start turning out more
we’re good it’ll start turning out more kids who are ready I’m not here to argue
kids who are ready I’m not here to argue
kids who are ready I’m not here to argue that that is so far from the truth and
that that is so far from the truth and
that that is so far from the truth and that in reality we’re much more like a
that in reality we’re much more like a
that in reality we’re much more like a ship we’re a ship in the dead of night
ship we’re a ship in the dead of night
ship we’re a ship in the dead of night drifting in the dark there’s no compass
drifting in the dark there’s no compass
drifting in the dark there’s no compass there’s no destination there’s no stars
there’s no destination there’s no stars
there’s no destination there’s no stars to guide us
to guide us
to guide us and every year we’re just making these
and every year we’re just making these
and every year we’re just making these slight course corrections thinking that
slight course corrections thinking that
slight course corrections thinking that we’re going in the right direction but
we’re going in the right direction but
we’re going in the right direction but we’re really just drifting and we have
we’re really just drifting and we have
we’re really just drifting and we have no direction and so what I want to do is
no direction and so what I want to do is
no direction and so what I want to do is lay out a few fundamental truths about
lay out a few fundamental truths about
lay out a few fundamental truths about education so that we can stop talking
education so that we can stop talking
education so that we can stop talking about them and start getting past that
about them and start getting past that
about them and start getting past that and think differently about the
and think differently about the
and think differently about the educational experience because we spend
educational experience because we spend
educational experience because we spend most of our time in the education policy
most of our time in the education policy
most of our time in the education policy world argue about the same things so the
world argue about the same things so the
world argue about the same things so the first truth that I’ve recognized and
first truth that I’ve recognized and
first truth that I’ve recognized and everybody needs to come to grips with is
everybody needs to come to grips with is
everybody needs to come to grips with is we will never have an excellent teacher
we will never have an excellent teacher
we will never have an excellent teacher in every single classroom it’s a fact
in every single classroom it’s a fact
in every single classroom it’s a fact it’s a physical reality there is no
it’s a physical reality there is no
it’s a physical reality there is no possible way to have an excellent
possible way to have an excellent
possible way to have an excellent teacher in every classroom there are 3.1
teacher in every classroom there are 3.1
teacher in every classroom there are 3.1 million teachers in America there has
million teachers in America there has
million teachers in America there has never been a 3.1 million person
never been a 3.1 million person
never been a 3.1 million person workforce where everybody is excellent
workforce where everybody is excellent
workforce where everybody is excellent so we need to just accept that fact and
so we need to just accept that fact and
so we need to just accept that fact and move on number two things like charter
move on number two things like charter
move on number two things like charter schools and school choice should be
schools and school choice should be
schools and school choice should be looked at as iterations not as
looked at as iterations not as
looked at as iterations not as innovations and I’m not against charter
innovations and I’m not against charter
innovations and I’m not against charter schools at all I think we need R&D and
schools at all I think we need R&D and
schools at all I think we need R&D and education you know education is unique
education you know education is unique
education you know education is unique in that are our users or us or our
in that are our users or us or our
in that are our users or us or our products and so we need to be thinking
products and so we need to be thinking
products and so we need to be thinking about new ways to do this experience and
about new ways to do this experience and
about new ways to do this experience and charter schools can do that but the vast
charter schools can do that but the vast
charter schools can do that but the vast majority of them and there are a few
majority of them and there are a few
majority of them and there are a few that really pushed the boundaries and
that really pushed the boundaries and
that really pushed the boundaries and challenged the status quo but the vast
challenged the status quo but the vast
challenged the status quo but the vast majority are really just changing and
majority are really just changing and
majority are really just changing and tweaking little things oh this charter
tweaking little things oh this charter
tweaking little things oh this charter school has tiny classes or this school
school has tiny classes or this school
school has tiny classes or this school has a longer school day where this
has a longer school day where this
has a longer school day where this school only serves this type of student
school only serves this type of student
school only serves this type of student again those are tweaks on the existing
again those are tweaks on the existing
again those are tweaks on the existing failing model in my opinion and things
failing model in my opinion and things
failing model in my opinion and things like school choice the idea where
like school choice the idea where
like school choice the idea where students can opt into the lottery for
students can opt into the lottery for
students can opt into the lottery for any school in their city that relies on
any school in their city that relies on
any school in their city that relies on a lot of middle class assumptions that
a lot of middle class assumptions that
a lot of middle class assumptions that students have the wherewithal the
students have the wherewithal the
students have the wherewithal the internet access to get into a lottery
internet access to get into a lottery
internet access to get into a lottery and that they have the transportation
and that they have the transportation
and that they have the transportation actually consistently take advantage of
actually consistently take advantage of
actually consistently take advantage of that school choice and that’s why you
that school choice and that’s why you
that school choice and that’s why you see a lot of cities who have school
see a lot of cities who have school
see a lot of cities who have school choice they show clear gains in the in
choice they show clear gains in the in
choice they show clear gains in the in the short term but then when you dig
the short term but then when you dig
the short term but then when you dig deeper into the data the safe students
deeper into the data the safe students
deeper into the data the safe students are still struggling
are still struggling
are still struggling lastly beyond the fundamentals of
lastly beyond the fundamentals of
lastly beyond the fundamentals of reading writing math critical thinking a
reading writing math critical thinking a
reading writing math critical thinking a hard skills approach to education will
hard skills approach to education will
hard skills approach to education will never keep up so whether it’s cursive or
never keep up so whether it’s cursive or
never keep up so whether it’s cursive or CAD or coding these skills always become
CAD or coding these skills always become
CAD or coding these skills always become obsolete just at the time where we get
obsolete just at the time where we get
obsolete just at the time where we get almost okay at doing them take coding
almost okay at doing them take coding
almost okay at doing them take coding for example that’s like the big skill
for example that’s like the big skill
for example that’s like the big skill today everybody needs to learn coding
today everybody needs to learn coding
today everybody needs to learn coding but as you guys probably are
but as you guys probably are
but as you guys probably are we have these coding boot camps out
we have these coding boot camps out
we have these coding boot camps out there right 12 to 14 week programs to
there right 12 to 14 week programs to
there right 12 to 14 week programs to teach anybody how to code as long as you
teach anybody how to code as long as you
teach anybody how to code as long as you have a high school diploma so you’re
have a high school diploma so you’re
have a high school diploma so you’re telling me we can teach anybody with a
telling me we can teach anybody with a
telling me we can teach anybody with a high school diploma how to code in 12
high school diploma how to code in 12
high school diploma how to code in 12 weeks why would we spend four to eight
weeks why would we spend four to eight
weeks why would we spend four to eight years in the k-12 system teaching them
years in the k-12 system teaching them
years in the k-12 system teaching them that why not make that part of corporate
that why not make that part of corporate
that why not make that part of corporate responsibility to train their own
responsibility to train their own
responsibility to train their own workers they do that anyways the
workers they do that anyways the
workers they do that anyways the majority of and for the students the
majority of and for the students the
majority of and for the students the room majority of what you’re gonna do in
room majority of what you’re gonna do in
room majority of what you’re gonna do in your job you learn on the job I never
your job you learn on the job I never
your job you learn on the job I never trained to be an executive director or a
trained to be an executive director or a
trained to be an executive director or a teacher really even most of my
teacher really even most of my
teacher really even most of my colleagues and my friends didn’t train
colleagues and my friends didn’t train
colleagues and my friends didn’t train to be the position they’re doing today
to be the position they’re doing today
to be the position they’re doing today they’re just resourceful capable
they’re just resourceful capable
they’re just resourceful capable collaborative critical thinkers so
collaborative critical thinkers so
collaborative critical thinkers so focusing on hard skills and trying to
focusing on hard skills and trying to
focusing on hard skills and trying to force them into the educational
force them into the educational
force them into the educational experience will will never keep up okay
experience will will never keep up okay
experience will will never keep up okay so what can we do because I think in our
so what can we do because I think in our
so what can we do because I think in our guts we all know that education can be
guts we all know that education can be
guts we all know that education can be so much more it can be a place where
so much more it can be a place where
so much more it can be a place where intellectual curiosity is fostered every
intellectual curiosity is fostered every
intellectual curiosity is fostered every single day because we’ve all experienced
single day because we’ve all experienced
single day because we’ve all experienced that moment right now we think about
that moment right now we think about
that moment right now we think about engineering the environment we focused
engineering the environment we focused
engineering the environment we focused on the school building we focus on the
on the school building we focus on the
on the school building we focus on the teacher the technology how many kids are
teacher the technology how many kids are
teacher the technology how many kids are in the classroom and this is engineering
in the classroom and this is engineering
in the classroom and this is engineering the environment and these are all
the environment and these are all
the environment and these are all factors that influence education but
factors that influence education but
factors that influence education but they’re not fundamental to the success
they’re not fundamental to the success
they’re not fundamental to the success and I know that because I had different
and I know that because I had different
and I know that because I had different teachers than you I wasn’t a different
teachers than you I wasn’t a different
teachers than you I wasn’t a different school building you I had different
school building you I had different
school building you I had different standards into our different technology
standards into our different technology
standards into our different technology than you my classes were a different
than you my classes were a different
than you my classes were a different size than you and yet we’re all here
size than you and yet we’re all here
size than you and yet we’re all here we’re all in this room achieving some
we’re all in this room achieving some
we’re all in this room achieving some level of success so it can’t be these
level of success so it can’t be these
level of success so it can’t be these things that are fundamental what we need
things that are fundamental what we need
things that are fundamental what we need to do is intent instead get into the
to do is intent instead get into the
to do is intent instead get into the mind of a student really think about the
mind of a student really think about the
mind of a student really think about the student experience how are they
student experience how are they
student experience how are they experiencing these different concepts
experiencing these different concepts
experiencing these different concepts how are they relating them how can we
how are they relating them how can we
how are they relating them how can we get kids inspired instead of keeping
get kids inspired instead of keeping
get kids inspired instead of keeping them in line how can we instead of
them in line how can we instead of
them in line how can we instead of probably promoting compliance promote
probably promoting compliance promote
probably promoting compliance promote creativity and collaboration how can we
creativity and collaboration how can we
creativity and collaboration how can we get students in focus and in flow
get students in focus and in flow
get students in focus and in flow instead of in routine we need to start
instead of in routine we need to start
instead of in routine we need to start thinking about how students experience
thinking about how students experience
thinking about how students experience this so we develop their skills and
this so we develop their skills and
this so we develop their skills and their individuality together and we need
their individuality together and we need
their individuality together and we need to start thinking about it at scale
to start thinking about it at scale
to start thinking about it at scale because until we do more and more
because until we do more and more
because until we do more and more students and educators like myself my
students and educators like myself my
students and educators like myself my colleagues Natasha will be in these
colleagues Natasha will be in these
colleagues Natasha will be in these terrible scenarios where we have no
terrible scenarios where we have no
terrible scenarios where we have no guiding light we have no idea where
guiding light we have no idea where
guiding light we have no idea where we’re going and we make these decisions
we’re going and we make these decisions
we’re going and we make these decisions that end up just crippling our society
that end up just crippling our society
that end up just crippling our society year after year after you
year after year after you
year after year after you and will continue to be teaching in the
and will continue to be teaching in the
and will continue to be teaching in the dark thank you
”
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