We partner with individuals, classrooms, schools, and organizations to foster new conversations and a new vision for schooling at the local and national levels.
Here we share the stories from students, educators, parents, leaders, and community members across the country. Each story is an expression of an individual's hopes, fears, joys, and aspirations. Each story is unique and powerful on its own. Together they are the collective dreams of a nation.
We hope you will enjoy browsing and sharing your thoughts. You can search for your state, or people you know by using the search bar. Intrigued, Inspired?! Sign up to be a Catalyst!
"Yes. Humanity. Schools should teach humanity, because if we would have humanity, we wouldn’t have present situations in the world which we have, which are above and beyond any reasoning. After the horror of the wars, we should have learned something. We didn’t learn anything.
Read More"Who knows! When you talk about the 80’s in Miami, a lot of dangerous stuff was happening - who knows what kind of trouble I could’ve gotten into - jail, getting shot, who knows. That teacher turned me around, and showed me that there was a positive way to expend my energies. So when I got elected in 1999 I had him come administer the oath of office to me, because no doubt, he’s responsible for that. That’s a pretty powerful example of school making a difference - one individual making a difference."
Read More“Schools shouldn’t try to compare children. Both my daughters were very different students. My sister and I were the same way. I had some of the same teachers as my sister, and I’ll never forget that one day I spelled the world nickel wrong (I’m still not sure if it’s –el or –le), and my teacher said “A sister of Pat’s spelling nickel wrong?” At this time, my sister Patricia was getting her PhD in Chemistry.”
Read More"I want them to find a passion, whether that is work, or a "life's endeavor." I want them to have something that drives them to fill their days with, and that they feel is contributing to the betterment of themselves or those around them. It all leads back to happiness."
Read More“I think back to the one-on-one parent-teacher conferences that I had when I said, ‘Your child is reading below grade level, here are some flashcards you can do with him,’ instead of saying, ‘You know what? Your child is really compassionate. He always wants to help others and problem solve, and reading will come.’”
“I think that school helps you navigate life and tap into your purpose. School should allow students to explore different areas of interest without fear of failure or judgment.”
Read More“I think that every kid has the same potential, but it’s the environment that they are exposed to that impacts their life outcomes. You see successful people, and I don’t mean rich, but someone who is really enriching a community or society because they were fed into by the right people. That’s why it’s so scary to choose who is going to educate my child.”
Read More“Schools should connect lessons to the real-world, to form a connection to what happens after high school. Not what is going to help you pass this state-wide test, but on skill sets that you’re going to take outside to the world.”
Read More“I want to make sure her wealth doesn’t hinder her at all in the experiences she has and understanding other people around her.”
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