How Education Today Is Killing Our Kids & What We Can Do To Change It!

Ok, yes the title is a little drastic, but it is catchy! However, education today is creating a seismic schism in the creative development and engagement of our young students and the reality of standardized, statistical orientated teaching & learning. When you look back at your days in class, how many times did you feel as though what you were learning had nothing to do with your eventual dreams or goals for your life? Or that schools were so focused on getting the best standardized test the idea of allowing students to be creative was thrown completely under the bus? Sadly, it is worse today more than ever before. Pablo Picasso once said, "All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up". I believe this resonates loudly today with the ever growing iron fist of standardized testing. Students are no longer seen as creative human beings that are capable of so much when given the opportunity and the resources to mold and build their own futures.

Sir Ken Robinson, Ph.D. one of the most well-known experts on creativity, innovation and human resources puts it like this: "In a nutshell, it's that we're born with immense natural talents, but our institutions, especially education, tend to stifle many of them and as a result we are fomenting a human and economic disaster." He goes on to argue that with the advent of mass testing of students, arts and creative development have all been downgraded and teachers are forced to adhere to rigid testing standards and regulations. In a recent 2009 report by the National Commission on Teaching and America's Future, "one of every three new teachers will leave the profession within five years" and "more than a third of the nations 3.2 million teachers could retire over the next four years."

In order for keep this national tragedy from causing major economic and educational disruptions in our nation's schools teachers must be given the tools, resources, and leeway to work with students on an individual level, instead of the traditional means of learning, i.e. chalk/white boards and lectures. In our ever growing tech savvy society, where social networking and innovation are changing the way we get information and share that info with others, we must do more to engage and empower our young people to come out of their shells and explore their own creative and innovative talents with teachers leading the way.

In a recent study by Gallup to measure the hope, engagement, and well-being of America's students, in which 70,078 students in grades 5 through 12 from 335 schools and 59 districts located in 18 states and the District of Columbia were polled, the results were quite powerful.

• Half of students are hopeful; these students possess numerous ideas and abundant energy for the future. The other 50% are stuck or discouraged, lacking the ideas and energy they need to navigate problems and reach goals.
• Half of students are engaged; they are highly involved with and enthusiastic about school. The other half of students are either going through the motions as school or actively undermining the teaching and learning process.
• Nearly two-thirds of students are thriving; they think about their present and future life in positive terms, and they tend to be in good health and have strong social support. Just over one-third of students are struggling or suffering.
• 25% of responding students meet the criteria for classification of hopeful, engaged, and thriving. These students have abundant energy and ideas about the future and are enthusiastic about school and what it has to offer.

Generally, this report in my eyes tells us that we have much more work to do to give our young people the ability and opportunity to share with us their creative talents and to live a life that they enjoy, that is not based on parental or cultural expectations of what they should or should not do with their lives in the realm of career and education. The expectation for most students is finish high school, finish college, get a job, raise a family, and retire. However, this expectation is rooted in the decades past. Educational objectives and wanted outcomes must measure up to the needs and wants of today's generation without barring students from engaging in the arts and real experiential learning.

Lets not kid ourselves, we are in a national crisis. In a recent hearing held by the US House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor, experts testified that "only about 70 percent of students graduate from high school with a regular high school diploma" and "in the 50 largest cities, only 53% of students graduate on time". When students are not in the classroom learning and truly being able to reach their goals and dreams it effects all of us. The McKinsey Corporation recently found "that if minority student performance had reached white students by 1998, GDP in 2009 would have been between $310 billion and $525 billion higher or approx. 2 to 4 percent of GDP". We cannot continue to ignore the economic and cultural impacts of a failed education system that is truly leaving out and ignoring many of our most desperate youth.

Education today seems to be primarily focused on right and wrong--or simply put failure. There is no longer a view in most public schools that making mistakes is a means to learn from this and to grow as an individual and as a creative talent. Students are given rigid standards by way of standardizing testing and if they don't meet those prescribe standards they are considered a failure. We stigmatize those students--they are called dumb, ADD, ADHD, special, etc. Instead we should try and figure out what their creative talents are--what they want to learn, who they are as a human, their hopes and dreams. And with that information, design a curriculum that is based on those individuals goals and ideals, without getting rid of a strong curriculum that includes math, science, reading, writing, etc. I believe that every child deserves a well-rounded education so they have the opportunity to decide their own future aspirations, and not the system deciding for them.

What if we measured student success on the outcome of our students goals and creative talents and not based on a one-size fits-all test? What if we taught students self-leadership, personal development, and creative exploration along with a core college prep curriculum? Lets not merely measure student success on what past generations believed was important, but lets explore the realm of what has not yet been discovered. There is so much to learn from our young people and I believe that the future of education and America's social and economic status in the world depends on.

One of my favorite collection of words by Sir Ken Robinson is this: "Education is about developing human beings, and human development is not mechanical or linear. It is organic and dynamic." And by this I believe he is saying education cannot be forced, it cannot be spoon-fed, but must come up from the hearts, souls, and minds of our young people and their own quest for identity and creative exploration.

Generation Y: How the Creativity of Millennials Can Change the Workplace & The World.

The job search has begun, constant Internet searching and a review of contacts opens some leads, and the perfect job is right around the corner (hopefully)--now it’s time to find that dream company that just so happens to have a position that fits that new young employee just right. As a millennial and young employee in the 21st Century, every day I probably spend 70% of my time thinking of how inefficient, disorganized, non tech-savvy, and mundane some employers can truly be (including my own). Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to have a job with benefits with the way the economy is today. However, with that said, simply paying me is not going to keep me working for an organization I do not fully believe in or feel as though I'm truly making a positive impact on those I serve and for my future. For many young people today or Generation Y, we see our place of employment as an extension of who we are and the ideals we hold for the present and our futures. We ask ourselves, "Is this job going to lead me to a higher paid position?", "does my company pay for graduate school?", "do my co-workers listen to my ideas and opinions?", and "do I come in everyday and feeling as though I'm making a positive difference?".

I'm sure there are hundreds of questions that go through the minds of those young workers under the age of 30. Our generation was created on the idea of achieving anything we put our mind to, that technology is our friend, and that multi-tasking is the norm. We hold ourselves to high standards when it comes to setting goals and achieving them and we expect those around us to treat us as equals regardless of age or educational background. The old school idea of a top-down work structure does not bode well in our minds. We view the work place as a bottom-up structure where we are able to create positive change every single day without having to deal with red tape and four different executive officers for approval. If we have a great idea for a new product or service we expect to be heard!

Another vital characteristic of our generation involves efficiency-do not waste our time in a two hour meeting with no agenda where nothing is accomplished. Older generations are use to a regular 8 hour or more workweek, where even if they have completed assigned tasks or have nothing to do, it is the norm to stay in the office anyways. This is considered a complete waste of time for younger generations. After a certain point it becomes quite depressing to sit in an office space with nothing to do and then to be assigned mundane tasks to simply waste time.

Young employees also view the need for independence and time to decompress throughout the day. Employers that offer yoga, gyms, cafeterias, lounges, etc. allow young employers to relax and refresh their minds. Many companies that year around are voted best workplaces for young people such as Google and Microsoft are all known to have built their work place structures around the habits of Generation Y. When employers invest in the lifestyles of young people and their employees in general they see much greater benefits in the workplace and productivity. Young employees also strive to make big changes in a short period to time. This means employers must allow their young millennial workers to design meaningful projects and tasks that will have a real impact on the company. Mixing in social awareness and volunteer programs is also a positive as our generation has been built on the idea of giving back, making a positive difference in the lives of others, and social change.

Communication is also a vital aspect to connecting with Generation Y. Younger workers, even with all of their technology use, are quite personable. They expect a fast-paced communication stream from phone, e-mail, web conferencing, and any other form of communication that diversifies team work and openness. If workers are capable of working from home once a week with these and other communication means, this would greatly impact the work style of younger workers and the company as a whole. Young people have no problem working from home and are quite use to it--especially with the advent of online courses and assignments. The typical brick and mortar cubical workplace is not conducive to how young people work efficiently. Give them the opportunity to go outside the office and mingle with clients and attend conferences. The more engaged you can keep young employees the more chance you have of retaining them and motivating them to become great innovators within your company.

Those under 30 also have a deep belief in their abilities, accomplishments, and visions for success. When they feel as though they are trusted and their company supports and believes in them this will pay huge dividends in the long run---as trust is vital to build a strong employee-employer relationship. We see the world as our playing ground and we intend to shape it with or without a corporation leading the way. Entrepreneurship and especially social entrepreneurship have both created a new era of business development, that along with the Internet and social networking, has a created a huge swelling of young people becoming quite successful at a young age. Many young workers see their time working for a company as a means to further their own creative ambitions in hopes of running their own business one day. And with the Internet and social networking this has made it easier for young people to find similar people who hold the same ideas and interests to create their own entrepreneurial dreams. Although the 40-Year plan of working with one company and retiring is over, the hard work and innovative talents of our generation will reap major dividends in quite a short period of time as long as employers are willing to accommodate the new work styles of Generation Y.

And lastly, we should not forget about performance management. Young workers take pride in excelling at a high level and achieving set goals and objectives. Ensure that these goals young employees are working on are both measurable and purposeful. Rather than criticizing, encourage and ensure young employees are given the adequate tools and resources to achieve their work plans and mentor them along the way. Many organizations are use to pulling in employees for a quick 20 min. evaluation on his or her work performance--however, instead the approach has to be updated. Instead of micro-managing from afar--use constant communication, team work, and observation so projects are constantly being improved throughout the process, making no need for a twice a year review of an employees work. Young employees will see this as a means for growth and development, instead of a mere attack of his or her perceived mistakes or imperfections.

Generation Y truly is an inspired, motivated, idealistic, and creative workforce. Employers should do more to reach out to this untapped group, where constant thinking and innovative abilities far outweigh the risks. Creating a corporate culture that embraces who Generation Y is will reap major benefits in the short and long-term for company growth. The challenges of our ever growing global economy will only become fiercer and greater, which is why now we should tap into the power of Generation Y today.

Stats from a recent study done by Deloitte Consulting on Generation Y (14-27 years old) and their employment experiences w/ my responses in parenthesis:

• 53.7% prefer opportunities for advancement, while only 7.9% are looking for better job security. (This shows that Generation Y employees are clearly focused on how far and fast they move up in the workplace--the greater impact they can make on the company as a whole and in their career development the better).

• 45.3% of respondents reported the economy will either have a "positive impact" or "no impact" on their marketability in the workforce and just 1 in 10 believes current economic conditions will create greater opportunities for their job skills. (Generation Y truly believes in its abilities in the market place, even with a sluggish economy. They know that they are independent, marketable, and engaging--and the fact they are willing to except reduced benefits/salary for a greater chance to influence major projects within a company says a lot about Gen Y's tenacity.)

• 63.5% cited "opportunities for growth and development" as to what influenced their decision to join their current employer, while only 49.8% cited "salary & benefits". (Generation Y is looking for real opportunities for their own development--so that they will quickly learn the tools and rules of the game. The more developed they are--the more likely salary and benefits will increase and their ability to move in different areas of the job market.)

• 69% are very or somewhat satisfied with their current job; HOWEVER, 47.9% say they intend to leave within 6 months to 2 years. (There is no longer the typical work for 40 years and retire plan--Generation Y has grown up seeing their parents and their friends laid off in the blink of an eye--they will stick around until they feel as though their value has diminished or they the need to do something new and more innovative--employers must learn to keep up.)

• 86.9% indicate they have worked with their current employer for less than 3 years; HOWEVER 49.8% describe themselves as senior level staff or managers. (Members of Generation Y work hard and play hard. They learn quickly and enjoy mingling with the boss--they are focused not only on their own growth, but also making positive change in the work place--and they expect to be rewarded with more responsibility and even more challenging/innovative tasks/positions.)

• 77.7% indicate they have an "effective" or "extremely effective" working relationship with their boss. (Generation Y can learn a lot from their boss and do so quite fondly. They speak their minds, ideals, and feel that with a great boss anything is possible.)

Opening Minds and Empowering A New Generation: Jake Rudin, Cornell '13

The first Young Innovator Profile is Jake Rudin, who graduated from Martin Luther King Jr. Magnet High School in Tennessee, ranked as #41 out of the Top 100 High Schools in America per US News & World Report. He is currently attending Cornell University where he will be attaining his BA in Architecture.

Jake truly understands the importance of sharing knowledge and breaking down barriers between young people and adults. When young people truly love what they are doing in the class it will reflect on their work and aspirations in life. Check out his answers to some pretty interesting questions below!

*How do students learn best in and outside the classroom from your perspective?

Through enjoyment. If a student isn't having fun learning, they won't retain anything. As a student, I could sit in a lecture I enjoyed for hours, not take any notes, and still make a 100 on the test.

*What are important characteristics you see in teachers that are able to truly motivate and empower their students?

Teachers who do the best at their jobs often share a love of learning with their students. They don't mind being corrected in class or hearing stories from students. They want to relate their subjects to everyday life, but not in a cheesy over-the-top way. It comes naturally through their teaching.

*What are some best practices that you have learned as student from MLK, one of the top high schools in America? (study habits, working with others, goal setting, curricula, etc.)?

The best practices I learned were how to remove obstacles that were in the way of my goals and how to be a leader. Removing obstacles was a big part of getting good grades, getting into the college I wanted, and getting recognized as someone special in a school where everyone has talent. Being a leader always came naturally to me, but being in a school where everyone was smart forced me to really focus on my leadership abilities.

*What best practices that you have seen at MLK as a top learning institution that SHOULD and COULD be transferred to other high schools across America?

Wide ranges of choice as far as classes go (again, the more subjects, the more likely it is that students will enjoy what they're learning).

*How can we move from the mentality of just focusing on teacher development to a more holistic approach to developing and empowering & educating young people?

Focus on how students see teachers: not as peers, but as authority figures. Bring the teachers closer to the students and you will see that the two are not so different from one another: they both just want to share their knowledge.

*What are some barriers you see that are blocking true school reform from occurring?

Money is obviously a serious issue. However, tradition and culture also dictate a large portion of how schools teach and what schools teach.

*What are your plans for the future? Where do you see yourself five years down the road?

5 years from now I will be graduating with my Bachelors in Architecture from Cornell University and be working at an architecture firm while I finish my Masters degree.

*Although MLK is known for its academic excellence, what else keeps you driven and poised for success?

The idea of getting into a good college and that my academic performance in high school could positively or negatively affect the next 5 years of my life.

*What are some attributes that you see in your peers that could help others succeed in school and life?

Open-mindedness. Never underestimate the power of an open mind. New ideas are literally the wave of the future, and seeing things through another's eyes can not only lead to a better understanding of yourself and your own morals, but to a better understanding of an idea and its effect as a whole.

*How can schools play a vital role in developing and empowering student leaders to become innovative and idealistic social entrepreneurs?

Give them freedom. Letting a student's imagination wonder and letting their creativity flow is the best way to develop and empower a student.

Saving DC Youth: A Call for Action

As a central office employee for DC Public Schools I witness everyday through data, stories, and discussions the issues our students and young people face here in the Nation's capital. We currently graduate only 68% of our students (SY 07-08), which when you look at our 90% daily attendance rate for students, shows there is much work to do in that regard. Some 70% of students receive free or reduced lunch and we have a 19% truancy rate. According to the DC Dept. of Health one out of every 100 young people ages 13 to 24 is HIV infected or has full-blown AIDS. The problems we face are grave and although we have made some strides with closing the achievement gap and increases on standardized test scores, both district and national, the question I always ask is are our young people better off than they were a year before? And simply put no! Until we come to a full realization that we have tragically failed to adequately educate and empower our young people to take control of their lives and understand that the decisions they make have life changing consequences we have failed.

Too many times we simply focus on teacher development, repairing crumbling schools, and discipline policies--ALL of these things are vital for success, however we fail to realize the importance of a new and holistic approach to how we work with young people. There must be an increased focus on youth empowerment and development in the District that starts from Pre-K through graduation. When I look at these declining and troubling statistics I see that we are simply not preparing our young people for the real world nor developing their minds and leadership capabilities. We must help them to remove the obstacles from their paths, so that they too can dream big and achieve the goals they have been destined for. Simply forgetting about this lost generation will only increase the degradation our nation faces in the short and long-term as it relates to crime, poverty, and global competition economically. In order to combat these troubling facts and to once again renew our nation's creed that every child gets an equal education and my belief that every child is equipped with life long tools to achieve at the highest level after graduation we will be developing a new leadership continuum program that will start from Pre-K through 12th grade.

As this process unfolds we will be meeting and talking with DC students, teachers, student leaders and administrators from across the country from some of our nation's top high schools in an effort to learn and share best practices in student leadership, development, and youth empowerment. The program will consist of four vital levels developed from leadership programs at top graduate MBA schools and four-year universities. Each year will have four key focuses (self, community, experiential learning, and global exploration) and will contain independent and group activities,and age appropriate resources that teachers, families, and students can use to strengthen their leadership abilities and empower them to achieve in school and in life.

We believe that this program will give new credence to youth development and leadership outreach within our schools that we hope will build up a more empowered and inspired generation of young people in the District. Over the next few months I will be posting interviews with top students from some of the nation's top schools on school reform, leadership, and empowerment as a means to stoke a conversation on how we can all share best practices to improve the educational experience and lives of some of our most disadvantaged young people. I truly believe that it is never to late to lift up the hearts and minds of our young people--allowing them to experience a true learning environment where they are allowed to imagine, create, perform, and build their dreams and aspirations. This is our calling, our purpose, and mission to truly lift up a lost generation of young people.

I hope you join us in this endeavor to give our young people an educational and life experience they most rightly deserve.

Creating A Generation of Entrepreneurial High Schools

The most important and intriguing experience that a young person can gain from his or her high school is an independent, entrepreneurial drive to succeed in life. Within this environment the student is challenged to think creatively, to challenge him or herself in every subject, work cooperatively with fellow peers, and to truly take ownership of his or her educational success. A great example of a public school doing just these things and ranked by U.S. News three years in a row as America's Top High School is Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Virginia.

Students who attend Thomas Jefferson or TJ as they call it relish in the ability to gain a top notch education without having to attend a private school. Students are encouraged to be actively involved in not just learning through dependence on a teacher, but to challenge themselves and partake in individual projects from building an alternative-energy system for the school to studying the evolution of species. Students who attend TJ truly take education as a means to success not just in the short term, but for their future lives down the road. Not only are they just focused on their studies, but most students are actively involved in over 150 clubs and groups that the school offers from a Latin Honor Society to a speciality club call Stonecutters "which airs reruns of The Simpsons" and other pop culture media(1). All students eat lunch at the same time and are able to do so anywhere they want--many take this time to work on projects and to discuss life and plan for the weekend with friends.

Even with the challenges that TJ provides its students--from AP courses to senior year long science and technology projects, the freedom and ownership that students are entrusted with is a shining example of what the future of education reform should focus on--empowering our young people to succeed and providing them with the tools needed to do so. There are hundreds of top notch public schools across this country that are showing exemplary success every single day. When we start to focus on each student holistically and truly listen to their needs and guide their talents and ideals, education reform simply becomes a product of the dedication and ability of young people. We spend so much money and time developing our teachers as leaders and motivators bringing out their talents and abilities, but we soon forget about the students and their needs as well.

Successful schools should continuously share best practices with those schools who are struggling and those who are aiming to reach the top. Sharing best learning, teaching, and motivation practices will put our nation's schools back on track to once again become brain centers of learning, creating, developing, inspiring, and empowering a new generation of entrepreneurial high schools and students.

(1)-Washingtonian, Oct.2009

Vital tools for improved high school learning and innovation:

*create a network for students, teachers, and school innovators to share best practices
*learning & teaching frameworks from top school districts should be shared
*improved curricula (more career and college track courses)
*innovative student learning (both independent and group learning)

How We Are Failing A Generation & What We Can Do To Change It

By: Joshua Aaron Murphy

Education reform today seems to be entirely focused on measuring success via standardized testing, graduation rates, and teacher accountability. Of course these are all important—but the question still remains—are our young people better off today for today’s national and global challenges than past generations and even comparatively to other developed nations? The answer is NO. We have all seen the studies showing how our students measure up in math and science to other countries and even how students measure up with their peers in America—not so good.

It truly can’t be because we don’t have enough testing and grading---because we do! Nor can it be because we aren’t trying hard enough to implement strategies to graduate students from high schools, because we are! Nor can it be because teachers aren’t being held accountable—because to be perfectly honest, it doesn’t seem school systems in general are holding themselves accountable. I think the key link here that we are missing is the link between success in the classroom and the sense of empowerment, motivation, hope, purpose, and success our young people feel once they are in school and out of school.

Do our young people feel as though they have a purpose on this earth? If so, do they feel as though school is helping them reach that purpose or those goals? Do young people feel as though adults listen to them? Do they feel as though their creativity and independence are being encouraged and cultivated in an active, clean, safe, and inspiring learning environment? In a sense, do young people today feel a sense of self-worth and self-motivation derived from a core belief that education in the 21st Century is a means for success not only in the present, but the future? Are we helping to mold our young people, to truly utilize their gifts and talents—whether it is in music, art, football, soccer, technology, science, or a whole myriad of other possibilities and career interests? Is the voice of Generation Y being heard? Do we care? If so, what can we do to implement a new strategy for empowering and engaging a lost generation? We must, we can, and we will—for the sake of not only our nation’s best interest, but for a better society on earth.

I feel as though we have in a sense allowed our own judgment to be clouded by a national educational system in limbo that has never truly been re-calibrated to focus on the needs, ideals, and aspirations of Generation Y. We have to focus not just on the textbooks, the desks, and the buildings, the teachers, or the standardized tests, but on the hearts and souls of our young people. We must not only engage the youth of today, but empower them—shock and awe---to realize that their future is in their hands—and we are all simply a very small, incremental part of that process—guides of sorts---they are the builders, the molders, thinkers, creators, designers, dances, singers, athletes, and dreamers. We are here to listen, to assist, to mentor, to be a light for a brighter, clearer path in their quest for happiness, success, growth, and long-term stability and prosperity.

We can do this by:

A.) Instituting constant communication between young people and adults.
B.) Mentoring, guiding, and rehabilitating those students who are in need of the most help to succeed.
C.) Constant motivation, positive thinking, and support to give our most disadvantaged youth hope for a brighter tomorrow.
D.) Creating a system that cultivates and mixes with the goals, visions, and ideals of our young people—that embraces diversity and independent growth.
E.) Training those who worth with our young people to have empathy for them, to work with them, to be better listeners and guide them to positive directions.
F.) Investing in creating a clean slate in the lives of your people—essentially starting over and giving them the opportunity to write their own destiny, their own future, and vision for life.

We can do this—we must, in order to create a more just, free, open, and prosperous society for today and for the future. Education reform is not just about a building or a book or a teacher, it is truly about the hearts and souls of young people—they need us now more than ever—we cannot leave them now—instead we must focus intently on engaging and empowering them to aim high, to never give up, and guide them through the trials and tribulations of life so that they too will become free, independent, idealistic, and successful individuals.

Best Wishes,
Joshua A. Murphy

Seeking A Lost Generation

Seeking A Lost Generation

As we seek to bridge the divide between past and current generations of young people and adults, there is much still to learn. Many young people feel lost, without a purpose and without hope for a better tomorrow. However, they must know that each generation has faced untold challenges, controversies, and failures. With these challenges comes the opportunity of success, prosperity, innovation, and idealism.

In order to truly engage and positively influence young people today, we must do more to empower them, to educate them, and to truly engage them. Young people thrive for independence, creativity, individuality, and purpose. They seek out those who will listen to them, who will help them grow, and who will guide them as they seek to influence the culture and society around them. Young people today must be challenged to think boldly and differently—and that failure is not reason to quit, but even more reason to explore and truly understand his or her path and future in life.

In our schools where students spend a large portion of their day—we can do this with experiential learning, actively engaging, involving, and teaching our young people to be independent learners and thinkers in the 21st Century. Young people must learn to reflect on their experiences and interact in a group to solve complex problems—without fear of being “wrong”. Young people must also be listened to and heard. Allowing young people to explore who they are as individuals, as leaders, as thinkers, and builders is vital for true experiential learning to take place inside and outside of the classroom.

While at home, parents must consistently and actively take a hands-on approach with their children—ensuring they are completing assigned tasks and are capable of interacting with different cultural groups and individuals who may not share the same ideals or beliefs. As young people build respect for others starting at home, they will go into a world based on the idea of embracing others who are different, not shunning or ridiculing those who are not just like them or their way of life. Parents should also seek to assist their children in their exploration and discovery of their goals and visions for life. Many children at a young age show signs of their future interests. Parents should be willing to engage their children in these activities and others to create big picture thinking and life exploration.

Communities also play a vital role in engaging and empowering a new generation of young people. Communities—which includes businesses, both profit and non-profit, and leaders---must invest in a strong self-sufficient environment that embraces art, culture, education, creativity, and social independence. Communities should embrace young people and include them in different councils and policy making decisions, and economical growth and prosperity. Young people hold a wealth of ideas and creativity that should be encouraged and utilized from an early age. Teaching a new generation about hard work, independence, and the need for continued economic innovation is vital for success in the 21st Century.

I truly believe that we can engage and empower a new generation of idealistic builders, thinkers, and artists. We must be willing to learn from the youthful and energetic minds that are crying to be heard and understood.

Best Wishes,

Joshua A. Murphy

Empowering A Generation: Replicating Success and Building Self-Worth

Having spent a year and some change in the nation's capitol, I have been disheartened with the quality of life and support that many residents of the district live in every single day--especially that in which our young people must endure. Their lives intertwine with many citizens across the world that are impoverished, uneducated, dimensioned, and unheard. Their cries for help are ignored and their basic needs are unmet within their communities. For decades many of our leaders have outright ignored millions across this great nation who have been left behind. As we have seen in this current global economic crisis no one is left unscathed when our own greed and self-interest take hold over basic principles of ethics, humanity, and social responsibility.

The saddest part when we choose to ignore the plight of those less fortunate is that those most affected are the most vulnerable to start with--young people. Many never know that they are being treated as second-rate humans--without such basic needs as shelter, clothing, food, health care, or even a good education. In the end we all suffer, as success and self-worth are seen as two commodities that many are not able to reach or even imagine. The idea that we can fail our young people day in and day out and not feel their pain or hear their cries for help is astonishing. In order for America and the world to truly rise from its own failures and unjust ways, we must begin to put people first. We must understand that this generation of young people will soon inherit this planet.

When I went into a DC Public School to perform a student audit I was somewhat surprised, even though I had worked in a DC school for a year and knew the failures of the education system here and the strides we are attempting to make. However, some classes that should have had at least 25 students in them had 5 or 6--the other students were nowhere to be seen--a matter of fact, some had only showed up once in a 2 or 3 week period. I was truly alarmed and saddened that somehow we have accepted this as the status quo. However, I also knew how badly schools, the local government, and parents in the region had failed to truly understand and provide for the many young people across the district. And as I walked into every classroom I had a chance to interact with the students--many of them wondering why this young looking employee from the Chancellor's Office was in their classroom and others not really caring one bit.

I was excited to see teachers teaching and students learning--although many slept at their desk or had an iPod in as the teacher taught--but this essentially is what they are expected to do. Not many people praise them, believe in them, motivate them, support them, or even care about them. Many go home every single day to an empty house where they care for there brothers and sisters. Their only lunch and dinner will be what they have at school (which isn't the healthiest of foods) or a quick stop to McD because it's inexpensive and quick, especially when they are in a one parent home (mom is working two jobs). For many in DC and the nation, this is a cycle and recipe for failure and disaster. Not only do these young people live in social environments that breed violence, drugs, lack of innovation, etc., but they head to a neighborhood school that is an extension of that community. Instead of being a model for success, independence, hope, education, and constant learning, schools simply become just another place to act up, get in trouble, and essentially learn absolutely nothing.

The question then remains, how do we break this cycle? How do we instill within our young people that life can be successful, that their goals and visions for a better life can be realized, no matter what their past or present life is like. No matter the toughness of their path or lack thereof, anything is possible if you truly believe in yourself, put in the time to succeed, and never give up. Living a life of self-worth, happiness, and success and happiness is no easy task, especially with the negative forces surrounding us each and everyday, but it is possible. I believe that there are some important ingredients to creating lasting self-worth and success in ones life, no matter what he or she has done in the past or what condition they live in or how their school looks or how good their parents are. Each one of us has within us the ability to formulate and create a life of ultimate success and self-worth.

1.) Faith--young people must have faith in themselves and their abilities to positively change their lives and the environment around them. It starts out with simply imagining a better home, a better life, a better neighborhood, and knowing that you can be a part of that vision and that hope.

2.) Living With A Purpose--I think for many young people, they simply don't see a purpose to this whole thing called life. They question their parents, they question their teachers, they question learning and simply put--they question life. When you can wake up every single day with a reason for doing so--knowing that that new day is a another opportunity to succeed at your dream, your vision--it truly becomes a miracle and the positive energy you put into that day will reap many benefits.

3.)Innovative Drive--When you have the purpose--excel at it, stay determined, and never give up. If you believe in your own innovative ideas and abilities you can't fail--at least not due to your own doing. The worst way to fail is because you caused that failure. Do all in your power to succeed and surround yourself with positive/uplifting people who can help you on your path to success.

4.) Individuality--It's important to be yourself--whatever that entails--enjoy life to the fullest and know what you stand for--never compromising your beliefs and ethics for positive social change. It is impossible to enact success and know your self worth if you don't know you! Individuality also entails constantly learning--education is not just during school or in college--but learning is something you should always embrace and partake of all the days of your life.

5.) Be The Change--Represent what you truly believe in and stand for! Give back to your community and others--knowing that by serving others, in the end you are serving the well-being of mankind. Spread your ideas and hopes so others can join your quest--live the life you were meant to live. Everyone has a purpose and no one deserves not to live a full and prosperous life.

I truly believe that every young person can and should believe in him or herself in all that they do. They should also be given the tools and resources necessary they need to succeed and have self-worth. The problems America and the world face are too big to leave a whole generation left behind. My hope is that I will be able to spread this message through words and sound to as many young people as possible--as a mentor, friend, and leader.

Have Faith In Yourself

As I reminisce on the passing of the Liberal lion Ted Kennedy and all that he did for this country--from Civil Rights to Health Care to Education, he was truly a man of many ideals and a belief that government could truly be a equalizer and fighter for those with no voice or foundation. This was a man, who like most of us, was not perfect by any means. He had his demons, but overtime picked himself up and became a true model and shining light for those who needed a helping hand. In our day and age it is hard to find those stories of true and lasting faith in oneself, even in the darkest hour--many people simply allow their worries and troubles to overtake their lives and never get back on the path to success.

Life is truly defined by our ability as humans to right the wrongs we witness, to fight for something greater than ourselves, and to consistently strive for perfection in all that we do. No one is perfect, however each day should be a positive step to fulfilling each our own life stories--stories that will travel different paths, new dreams and goals, and hopefully one day that will cross with someone else who holds the same visions and passions as you do. Believing in oneself takes a bold stand to never dwell on the past, but to always live in the present and prepare for the future. There is nothing wrong with doubt, however never allow it to over power the idea of hope and a promise that each and everyday is a new day to fulfill in our lives.

The future may be somewhat frightening for many--with the loss of jobs, health care, and many wars, however, there is always hope for a better tomorrow--that one day the sun will shine brighter, the sky will be bluer than the prettiest ocean, and that our lives will be a beacon of opportunity and innovation for generations to come.