Gabriel McCormick - Humanizing Education #BLC15

The industrial factory model of education was designed to support a social and employment structure that no longer exists; yet we retain the trappings of this antiquated and inequitable system in our public schools. I want to solve this problem. I want to rebuild the system from root to branch, eliminating constructs that force students to meet arbitrary benchmarks and replacing antiquated structures with a system that challenges students and pushes them to exceed expectations through meaningful and authentic learning. I've helped students achieve individual success and overcome otherwise paralyzing barriers and want to share that success and scale it for the larger system of public education. Where others see a failing system I see potential and opportunities for successful restructuring.

In education we create our future. High quality education is essential for the maintenance of our democracy because it creates a citizenry that can effectively engage with public issues and think critically about the potential consequences of decisions. Education is also the surest path to breaking cyclical poverty because it provides previously unavailable options. Schools are of the utmost importance and it takes the collaboration of all sectors to rebuild schools to meet the needs of our culture, our economy, and our democracy. I look forward to moving into the policy sector and helping to create and improve systems that encourage teachers to do their best work while improving the quality and accessibility of education for all students.