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!
"A lot of people are angry in the world right now. I think a lot of it is that they are overwhelmed at how hard life is and they want someone with answers to solve their problems. If they had a deeper understanding of the complexities of human affairs and of their own souls, they would be at peace with their own complexities."
Read MoreRead More“If happiness was easily measurable, I wonder if that would become more prioritized in the classroom. It’s the most important thing of all.”
"I think [school] is really about developing values and there are so many ways to do that. Curriculum matters less and less the more I think about it. But, that's not feasible in our society; we are beholden to these content driven standards. But, I think that…deriving the ability to think deeply, to communicate and ask questions, to recognize beauty and be inspired by it… that's ideally what schools do and those are the skills that kids remember and hold on to.”
Read More"Schools should provide facilitation…providing opportunity without spoon-feeding a prescribed path or stairway for getting to that happy point. School should make it possible to have a productive journey there, but I don't think they should decide what the productive journey is and then enforce it.”
Read More“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"
"Success looks different for everyone. For me, it’s about self-sufficiency, both emotionally and financially, as well as having confidence in yourself. Success is more of an emotional state than an end point. I also understand that Maisie may feel differently about success than I do—she will have her own definition and if that’s what brings her joy, then I support that."
Read More“In terms of happiness, I don’t want to assign intelligence or humor or some other quality because it’s not set for each person as to what makes them happy but I mean happiness in terms of being confident and content with your life as it is”
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 MoreI think if you do what you're passionate about and what you love, the idea of economics isn't as big because you're fulfilled in different ways.
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"To me, happiness is family, and friends, and doing something that’s meaningful in your life. And it’s also partly making enough money that you don’t have to worry about things. You can do the things you want to do. You don’t have to worry about your next meal or how you’ll pay for your kids’ college. You can afford the necessary things and some fun things as well."
Read More“The other thing I would add is that teachers definitely inspire you and there are a lot of lessons you learn in school about how to be a good person and behave appropriately aside from what your parents teach you”
Read MoreI think that school should help each child figure out what their potential is and what their gifts are.
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.”
Read MoreEveryone needs to do their part and communicate to understand each individual child’s gifts and talents and what they are interested in.
Read MoreThere 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.
Read More“Simple and most direct answer that I have always given is that I want my children to be happy. I want them to be happy and productive adults and good citizens that contribute to society.”
Read More“Personally, as a parent you just want them to be peaceful with their life and happy with it. That brings me peace.”
Read More“This cut-throat mentality is put down into schools instead of creating relationships that they need to build good lives. You're not grooming your child to think of anyone but themselves.”
Read MoreI was raised by European immigrant parents who taught me that school wasn’t about making money it’s there for the knowledge. You’re valued for the knowledge you have, not for how much money you’re making from it.
Read More
