Possibility Day Reflections: Education

To keep you connected to current topics discussed in the Flagship Program, LT shares reflections and resources from our Possibility Days. Last year, we changed the name from Challenge Days to Possibility Days to reflect our focus on how leaders can work collectively toward solutions and possibilities. We hope these reflections from two LT'24 class members help bring the program and conversations to life for you.

To get a feel for the day and resources, you can read the agenda here . Our Education Possibility Day, which took place on May 9, was designed to support these Flagship Program goals:

* Community and Belonging: Build a diverse multi-sector learning community in which participants can find belonging, inspiration, and support for action during and after the program year.

* Regional Challenges and Opportunities: Introduce a range of regional challenges and opportunities through the lenses of equity and antiracism; envision and explore examples of policies, institutions, and systems that promote equity.

* Leadership: Build a toolkit of leadership skills for individual and collective action so that organizations, communities, and the region may thrive.

Angela's Reflections

Angela Bahng, LT'24, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

A week before our Education Possibility Day, my daughter came home in tears saying she wanted to be home-schooled or do online learning. As a former teacher, current education funder, and life-long nerd, I was alarmed. As I listened, it became clear that Lila had some legitimate 12-year-old concerns: teachers that she didn’t connect with, work that was too challenging or too easy, and overall wondering why she was in class for 6 hours when she could learn the same thing in 2-3.

I thought of the other things that were likely contributing factors. She had dyslexia and a 504 with accommodations she was reluctant to use, a sister on the spectrum with school anxiety, and she had moved across the country in 3rd grade to attend a new school only six weeks before Covid hit.

As we discussed equity, teacher burnout, public funding, and special education throughout our Possibility Day, I realized Lila was not alone. On one hand, our education system was far too broken to solve as an individual parent, employee, or leader. Would we just have to accept the status quo? On the other hand, was the answer to pull my child from the public system, consider private school, and feel guilty about my decision?

During our panel with Dr. Kelly Aramaki, Superintendent of the Bellevue School District, Dr. Brent Jones, Superintendent of Seattle Public Schools and Erin Okuno, Director of Washington State Governor's Office of Education Ombuds, a different path began to emerge. There was a future we could imagine where schools were a safe space for students who didn’t have that at home, a place of belonging and community that couldn’t be experienced individually, a place that elevated the voices of those unheard and unseen. I thought of the one bright spot among Lila’s concerns. She liked her friends and the social aspect. Not a small thing when talking about 7th grade.

Do we have all the answers and a strategic plan to move forward? I don’t. But whether it’s a universal solution, or even one for my children, I’m inspired to see dedicated experts, leaders, and a community who have the courage to innovate. Thank you, LT, for creating the time and space to think deeply about this issue and to dream about the possibilities together.

Diane's Reflections

Diane Twitchell, LT'24, Community Leader

Heading into our Education Possibility Day, I was unsure of what I could contribute as a childfree person. However, I was humbly reminded that we all have a collective impact on the futures of young people.

One of our speakers, Dr. Kelly Aramaki, Superintendent of the Bellevue School District, reminded us that humans are designed to be in community and our actions affect one another. This inspired me to imagine how I can help foster an environment that supports a well-rounded education for young people — by being a mentor, offering tutoring, providing a support system for parents, or by being a good role model. I remembered the amazing experience I had years ago mentoring a high school junior through her senior year and witnessing her college graduation a few years later. I’ve been inspired to find a local mentorship program to support the young folks in my community.

Another speaker, Brad Brown, Executive Director of Puget Sound ESD, shared that in his role, he often faces difficulties, such as budget cuts, staff shortages, and unhappy parents, but he makes sure to lead through those challenges with opportunity. When going through a challenge, he asks, “How do you make sure you are picking up the nuggets [of learnings], instead of just getting through it? How do you capture the blessings and challenges and turn them into opportunities?”

Throughout the day, a thread woven throughout my LT experience continued to show up: imagination, which aligns with one of the four pivots, from problem to possibility. I was (once again) reminded that by focusing on problem solving, we limit ourselves to what currently exists, what’s expected, or what’s been done before. I don’t need to be a parent to positively impact the educational future of our youth. There are many ways I can be involved, and I’ve only scratched the surface. Using our imagination to create, discover, and dream of possibilities beyond “the norm” is where real transformation happens.