Education should represent an enlightening experience and that students of all schools should enjoy enriching supports to foster their curiosity. Depending on where we look, the picture is not always so bright. In various ways, inequality across schools robs students of many precious opportunities that their more privileged counterparts enjoy.

And yet, having fewer resources does not define students' eagerness to learn. I am reminded by students' words: when they had worked hard trying to solve a problem and finally figured it out, they often exclaimed, "oh, I feel so much smarter now!", "wow, that was hard, my brain hurts! (with a big smile)". These students in urban schools where resources are lacking are no less interested in learning and fully realizing their potentials than those born having more. They too should have empowering teachers and access to supportive learning environments.

Since the days of John Dewey, the fields of education, teacher training and developmental psychology have continued to advance in learning about how children learn and what are effective in classrooms. Student-centered ideas will create even more productive learning environments. Building on the many roles I have served, I look forward to more opportunities to work with other educators, researchers, innovators, policy makers, parents and students. Together, we can better understand the needs of those underserved and find proven ways to kindle curiosity and learning. Equipped with skills that help them make sense and reason about the world around them, children of all backgrounds will have what they need to be inspired and create new experiences that will better this beautiful world.

Showcase:Academic | Consulting | Causes | Hobby