My Future in Education
I have a new job. A full-time, back-into-the-corporate-world new job. And I’m very excited about it.
When I was young, and I imagined my life’s trajectory, I always saw myself teaching once I hit my 50’s. Which surprised me… since I had no plans to become an educator. But today I’m getting closer to that imaginary scenario than I ever thought possible.
I’ve been working at KC Distance Learning for five months, full time. And I’m going “back in” to run marketing for the organization. My long-term stint there is why I’ve gone “dark” here and in many other social media venues since June, causing some to forget me, and some to wonder whether I’ve forgotten them… (I can assure you, I haven’t!)
I’ve been focused. On a new market, education, which is ripe for change.
When I started there, I was shocked to learn that 30% of high school kids across the country drop out. Last spring, congress heard testimony that nationwide:
- 7,000 students drop out every day
- 2,000 US high schools produce more than half of all dropouts
- In the 50 largest cities, only 53 percent of students graduate on time
Why? I’m sure there are 7,000 unique reasons kids drop out every day. But something has to be done.
What’s KCDL doing about it? We are helping school districts deliver middle school and high school classes online through our iQ Academy and Aventa Learning brands. We power a private, online middle and high school experience for kids in the US and in scores of countries around the world with Keystone National School.
Technology is a natural tool to help revolutionize education. Kids in rural areas can take world-class courses in Mandarin, and Flash programming, for example, using an online delivery platform and subject-and state-certified teachers. Adjudicated kids can continue their courseware while serving their terms.
But technology isn’t enough. People from many different disciplines are taking the opportunity to change the way kids learn, as private organizations attack this very public problem.
So, dear readers, I plan to continue to post and tweet. And know that my new focus on education is highly likely to be reflected here.
And maybe we’ll all learn something new.
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