I have spent a lot of time thinking lately how my past has impacted my direction. I am a firm advocate that education has a direct correlation to the success and empowerment of people everywhere. I would be nowhere with my public education, and it taught me so much besides the actual education I received. My public school education prepared me for college in more ways than I can count.
I learned how to interact with a myriad of different people: I grew up in a relatively affluent area, but still. Public school was open to everyone, and therefore, everyone attended. It has been unspeakably helpful in understanding how to talk and work with people who do not inherently agree with you or how you do things.
I learned how to teach myself: This is by no means a bash to my teachers, I had some great ones. However, because the public school system can occasionally be...less than ideal. I had some classes with over thirty students, which is not always the perfect learning situation. I had to teach myself some things, because there wasn't always time to pay individual attention to each student.
I learned how to self-advocate: Ditto the above statement. If you wanted something, you had to go and get it. Public school doesn't always coddle you. This has been the biggest lesson that I have used in college and in life. If you can't stick up for yourself, no one can stick up for you.
I learned how to find a squad and keep it: To navigate the hallways of a big school, you need a solid group to keep you happy and safe. Otherwise you will drown in the sea of people.
I learned how to root for a team: The bigger the school, the bigger the sports. It was a very nice warm up for college and taught me the ins and outs of athletics, especially because my family didn't grow up worshipping a specific team.
I learned how to learn: I am so thankful for this. Every person has a different way of learning, and a different mode of success. By being surrounded by hundreds of different people in different classes throughout the years, I picked up on different ways to study. Through this I could develop a style most effective for me.
Most importantly, I learned why we need to fix it: Not to get too broad or political, or even offer any one specific solution, but the public school system needs some tweaking, at least in Texas. We have passionate teachers who really want to change and mold the minds of students, with none of the time and resources to do so. It is frustrating as I grow up to see the teachers that enriched me with a love of learning restrained because they have to teach to a test or set of standards. Children don't learn best that way. Experiencing this and
