Carrie, Mother of 2, Designer @ Wolverine, MI

“There seems to be a fear of failure [in schools]. School should teach kids that being challenged is the process of learning, and that not knowing or failing is okay.”

Carrie is a designer for Wolverine and a mother of 2 beautiful children. Her children both attend a bilingual immersion school in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was interviewed by her cousin, Nicole.

Imagine your child (or one you care about deeply) is now in their 30s – out of school and starting into adult life.  What do you hope for them about their life?  What would make it a ‘good’ life?

I want my kids to be exposed to more than one culture, especially living in a predominately white community. I want them to see the world outside of the bubble and to gain acceptance and understanding of others. Success to me means that you carry yourself a certain way and are confident in your abilities. I’ve also learned from my children’s immersion program how important it is to let your children be problem solvers, to not take things for what they are and think critically.

“I want them to see the world outside of the bubble and to gain acceptance and understanding of others. ”

What role do you think schooling should play in achieving that ideal good life?

The world is so big, and I would want school to help students get out into the real world and experience other cultures. These outside experiences may help kids think about what they want to pursue. The more real-life experiences that schools can provide for kids, the more you get their eyes seeing it, the more interest they will have in school.

What is the problem in schooling?

There seems to be a fear of failure [in schools]. School should teach kids that being challenged is the process of learning, and that not knowing or failing is okay.