A better way forward . . . 
These inspirational videos are helpful in understanding where we are, how we got here, and where we should be going. 
​​Sir Ken Robinson, PhD 

Do schools kill Creativity? is the most-watched video in the history of TED Talks. Ken Robinson posits that our outdated industrial educational system should be replaced with a personalized, organic approach to learning, and utilize technology and professional resources to engage all students.

Robinson's second video here, How to escape education's death valley, focuses more on the role of leadership in education, and the importance of changing it from a command and control model to one of creating a climate of possibilities. 

​Robinson is Professor Emeritus at the University of Warwick and was knighted in 2003 for his services to the arts. 
Sugata Mitra, PhD

Sugata Mitra's “Hole in the Wall” experiments demonstrated that, in the absence of supervision and formal teaching, children can teach themselves and each other -- if they’re motivated by curiosity. Mitra is a professor of educational technology at Newcastle University.
Rita Pierson, PhD

A professional educator since 1972, Rita Pierson brought a special energy to her profession -- a desire to get to know her students, show them how much they matter, and support them in their growth, even if it was modest.
Ted Dintersmith, PhD

Ted Dintersmith has become one of America's leading advocates for education policies that foster creativity, innovation, motivation, and purpose. He has visited all fifty U.S. states, meeting with governors, legislators, educators, parents, and students, and encouraging communities to work collectively to re-imagine school and its purpose.
Geoffrey Canada, PhD

Geoffrey Canada has dedicated himself to working with kids in poor neighborhoods. He has appeared on shows as diverse as Oprah and This American Life. He was named one of "America's Best Leaders" by U.S. News and World Report and was listed as one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world.
Seth Godin

Seth Godin is an entrepreneur, teacher, and worldwide bestselling author of 14 books that have been translated into more than 35 languages. Godin's blog is one of the most popular in the world. His eBook, STOP STEALING DREAMS (also the title of this TED Talk) can be downloaded absolutely free here. 
Peter Gray, PhD

Peter Gray is a research professor at Boston College, author of Free to Learn. He has conducted and published research in comparative, evolutionary, developmental, and educational psychology. 
Joe Ruhl

Joe Ruhl is a high school science teacher in Lafayette, Indiana. He has been honored at the White House as Indiana's recipient of the Presidential Award for Science Teaching. His approach to teaching has received praise for inspiring creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and communication in the classroom. 
Jonathan Levi

Jonathan Levi is a Silicon Valley entrepreneur and angel investor, and one of the top instructors on Udemy. His insights into memory and how we learn best have proved revolutionary, effective, and popular. His desire is for schools to teach HOW to learn, not just WHAT to learn.