22 Game Changing Ideas for the Field of Education

In the fall of 2001, I officially became a professional educator, and I have loved every minute of it, starting off as a 5^th grade Social Studies teacher and working my way up the K-12 and higher education ranks. Since then, I have gleaned a bevy of insights about the field of education from Pre-K, all the way to doctoral level studies.

As I write these words, I am sitting in an airport, headed to an edtech conference in Europe. I am thankful for all of the blessings that the education field has afforded me, so when I have time to give back, I do, usually in the form of an article or op-ed. I have about 40 minutes before my next flight boards, so I decided to write a new piece, about 22 game-changing ideas for the field of education.

1. Let’s completely revamp teacher education.
2. Every school should have a fully funded art and music program.
3. Don’t complain, show parents how to engage in their child’s educations.
4. Students shouldn’t receive grades.
5. Get rid of retention and promotion.
6. School districts should take the lead in reducing student homelessness.
7. Embrace artificial intelligence.
8. Reinstate the accountability movement.
9. Have a student signing day for high school for students who have secured jobs and will begin after graduation.
10. Have students to create their own learning paths.
11. Stop hiring teachers who have not proven that they can add value to their students.
12. Stop hiring education administrators that do not have a track record of success in the classroom.
13. Let students make up their own rules.
14. Stop wasting Title 1 funds on things that do not positively impact student success.
15. Stop giving students the impression that not attending college will ruin your life.
16. Allow elementary students more time to play.
17. Schools should partner with education researchers.
18. Allow elementary students to take an hour nap after lunch.
19. Allow students to bring snacks to school.
20. Double teacher’s salaries.
21. Every child performing below grade level should be assigned a tutor.
22. All K-12 students should be given breakfast, lunch, and snacks.
23. All schools should operate between 9am-5pm to accommodate parents’ schedules.
24. Tear down/rebuild or renovate dilapidated school buildings.

What did I miss?