California has some of the brightest young people in the country — but our education system isn’t setting them up for real success. Too many students graduate without practical skills, job readiness, or a clear path to independence. We teach them to pass tests, but not to build a future. We tell them to “dream big,” but we don’t give them the tools to make those dreams real.
That has to change.
Education is more than classrooms and curriculum — it’s preparation for life. And right now, too many young Californians are entering adulthood unprepared, overwhelmed, or unsure of where they fit in the world. That’s not a student failure — it’s a system failure.
Where the System is Falling Short
Here are the biggest problems I see with education in California:
• Schools focus heavily on theory but not enough on life skills
• Students don’t learn about financial literacy, credit, taxes, or entrepreneurship
• Career pathways are limited — college is pushed as the “only” next step
• Trade fields and skilled labor opportunities are underrepresented
• Teachers are under-supported and burning out
• Parents are often sidelined instead of treated as partners
We measure student “success” by test scores instead of life outcomes. That’s backwards.
My Approach: Education That Leads to Opportunity
When I talk about improving education, I’m not just talking about raising test scores — I’m talking about preparing students to earn a living, solve real problems, and build meaningful futures.
Here’s how we get there:
✔ Life Skills in the Classroom
Financial literacy, civics, credit management, entrepreneurship, digital responsibility, and basic household economics should all be part of standard education.
✔ Multiple Career Pathways
College is valuable, but it should not be the default or only path. Trade programs, apprenticeships, certification tracks, and paid internships must be equally encouraged and available.
✔ Real-World Partnerships
We should be connecting students to local businesses, innovators, and skilled workers who can mentor, train, and employ young people right out of high school.
✔ Support for Teachers
Classrooms thrive when teachers are respected, supported, and empowered — not micromanaged and restricted.
✔ Parental Inclusion
Parents should not be treated as outsiders. Education works best when families and educators are on the same side working together.
Helping Students Find Purpose Early
Too many young people hit adulthood with no idea what career direction to pursue. That leads to anxiety, debt-based decisions, and detours they could have avoided if someone helped them identify strengths and pathways earlier.
My vision is to introduce:
• Career discovery as early as middle school
• Skills-based learning tied to real industries
• Exposure to entrepreneurship and innovation
• Mentorship programs led by local business leaders
A student who understands their strengths is a student with direction.
Safer and Healthier School Environments
Education isn’t just academics — it’s emotional and social development. That means:
• Stronger mental health supports on campus
• Anti-bullying enforcement with real accountability
• School resource teams trained in mediation and support
• Prevention strategies, not just disciplinary responses
Students learn best when they feel safe and supported.
Preparing Students for the Economy They’re Actually Entering
The world our kids are growing up in is changing faster than our classrooms. Technology, digital careers, AI, remote work, and new trades are creating opportunities that schools are barely touching.
We need to prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow, not the jobs of yesterday.
That means:
• Modernizing curriculum for modern industries
• Teaching digital literacy and business ownership skills
• Highlighting trades as high-earning and high-demand
• Giving students exposure to innovation early
A student shouldn’t have to “figure life out later” — life preparation should begin in school.
Measuring Success the Right Way
Success should be measured in outcomes like:
✅ Did this student gain real skills they can earn a living with?
✅ Can they support themselves as young adults?
✅ Are they mentally and emotionally prepared for independence?
✅ Do they have confidence, direction, and purpose?
In other words — did we prepare them for life?
A Smarter Future for California’s Youth
If we want a stronger California tomorrow, we must invest in our young people today — not just with funding, but with relevance, direction, and purpose.
Education should be a launchpad, not a waiting room. It should build confidence, not confusion. It should connect students to opportunity, not leave them hoping they stumble into it later.
When our students succeed, our communities succeed. When we give young people direction, we give the state a future. And when we prepare the next generation for real life, we give California the chance to thrive for decades to come.
