Starting With Why

Simon Sinek said in his now‑famous 2014 TED Talk, “If we want to feel an undying passion for our work, if we want to feel we are contributing to something bigger than ourselves, we all need to know our WHY.”

My “why” for writing this blog is not to preserve the current state of education exactly as it is; in fact, there are aspects that should be changed or reimagined. Some practices and mindsets have simply grown outdated. I am writing this as a parent, an educator, and a voting citizen.

The purpose of this blog is to present a series of call‑to‑action letters addressed to the next educator. While the idea of writing letters may seem outdated in the 21st century, to me it is a lost art. Unlike emails, letters carry a personal and authentic tone. They capture a moment in time—reflecting the writer’s thinking, intentions, and hopes for their audience both now and in the future.

When I say “educators,” I am referring to far more than those who work in classrooms. Educators include teachers, support staff, and administrators—but also students themselves. We are all lifelong learners, and that learning should never stop. Parents are children’s first educators, guiding them from birth through school readiness and far beyond.

Local school boards, district leaders in all 50 states, and state legislatures make decisions that shape the educational experiences of today’s students and those who will follow. Our broader community—businesses, colleges, taxpayers—also plays a vital role in sustaining and enriching our educational ecosystem. Today’s students will one day join that community, contributing to the same system that once shaped them.

Every one of these groups impacts education in some way. If you participate in this work—directly or indirectly—you are part of the process. You have already dipped your toes into the educational waters. You are, in fact, an educator.

The thoughts I share here come from my experiences as a student, teacher, parent, and American who is both a product and an employee of the public school system. This is a blog rooted in hope—hope for what is possible when all educators, in every role, recognize the profound impact they can have on a child’s education and, more importantly, on a child’s life. We all hope for a better tomorrow for our children. To create that tomorrow, we must understand the part we play and what we can do to make things better.

Some readers may find themselves represented in only one of these roles, while others may see themselves in several. Each role is interconnected, much like the woven fibers of a single piece of cloth. The intention of this blog is to unite us—regardless of political affiliation—in prioritizing what is best for all children, their education, and their future. Politics has no rightful place in the classroom, and our differences must be set aside for the betterment of our students.

For far too long, we have operated like a new driver learning to handle a stick shift: stalling, lurching forward, and struggling to find a smooth transmission. We have remained stuck in an unnecessary tailspin, often because we disagree about what is best for our children. Meanwhile, our children deserve the best education possible. It’s time to move past the pointless semantics and return our focus to what matters most: their educational experience and their long-term happiness.

We must inspire one another to imagine what the future of education could be—if we work together.