Sarah E. Galimore's Blog

The Olympic Games are where quite a few dreams are realized and memories made. The memories are often as impacting as the dreams themselves, ranging from the humorous to the absolute nerve-wrecking, as we watch amazing athletes compete for their place in Olympic history. The more alluring aspect of the Games, at least for me, are the stories behind the athletes and what it took for them to get there. In those stories you get a glimpse of what isn’t as obvious. The experiences and forces beneath the surface, that provide the context of just how remarkable many of these athletes are and unfortunately, how fragile dreams can be.

NBC News recently aired a segment that shared one such story and even though it happened over thirty years ago, the relevancy and emotion is palpable. In 1980, then President Jimmy Carter’s decision to boycott the Summer Olympics, stole the hopes and dreams of approximately 150 U.S. athletes and coaches.

Athelete’s Scars Still Evident Decades After 1980 Olympic Boycott

These were men and women who had sacrificed tremendously, dedicating their lives in pursuit of their dream. These were men and women whose hard work, skill, and unfailing focus, had earned them a position as a member of the U.S. Olympic team, and recognition as top-tier, global, elite athletes. These were men and women who deserved the opportunity to compete and realize their dream.

1980 US Olympic Gymnastics Team 30 Year Anniversary Tribute

I am unabashedly proud to say, my Uncle, Ron Galimore is part of this inspiring story. He was the first male African American gymnast to make the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics team. Yes, despite the disappointment, the frustration, and the pain that remains even today, this is story that demonstrates that even when life takes an unexpected turn, your attitude determines whether you emerge in victory or defeat. You may experience setbacks, even defeat, but you can still claim the victory.

My Uncle Ron and in fact, the other three Olympians featured in the recent NBC segment, continued to pursue their dream and passion for their respective sports, just in different ways. I exchanged a few emails about this with my uncle and he had this to say, “Things don’t always go as originally planned, but many times there is a silver lining if you can refocus and look for it.”

That’s a lesson worth teaching and one worth learning: what you do when you fail, how you react when you are disappointed, whether or not you give up when you’re let down, will show you what you’re made of. You know what struck me the most in pondering all of this? Dreams may have to be altered and manifested in different ways, but you will always have them and can draw upon their inspiration to achieve much in life.

 

Have you ever looked for a sign during your life? Something, anything, that gave you a little nudge forward, vote of confidence, or speck of hope? Something that said you’re on the right track and doing what you’re meant to do? Well, I sure look for them and I find them, often in unexpected ways and unique circumstances. In those moments, I am reminded that regardless of the circumstance, I should never give up on my dreams. I should always pursue my interests and endeavor to reach my full potential.

A few years ago, I was flying home after onsite work with a client. Normally, I am not the most chatty person on a flight. I tend to be quiet and introverted. Also, when you’re a road warrior, the flight can sometimes be an opportunity to catch a bit of rest and relaxation. On this particular flight though, the gentleman sitting next to me was pleasant, had a really sweet nature, and we ended up having quite a bit in common. He told me all about his family, so I told him about myself and shared all the details on my pet project, the vision embodied in my educational support program for students. At the time, I was working through a setback and it was weighing on my mind.

What followed was unexpected. I thought I would get the typical nodding of the head and smile or some statement of encouragement. I got neither. The gentleman, a grown man probably in his early forties, started to cry. He wasn’t sobbing or anything, but tears came to his eyes and he sort of stared ahead for a few moments. Then he said to me, “I wish someone like you or a program like yours existed when I was in high school.” He proceeded to share his story, the one shared by many other students, and it gave me confidence when I needed it. His was a story of a student that fell through the cracks, struggled, and didn’t get a glimpse of his potential until much later in life.  These are the stories I hope to help rewrite.

Many similar moments occurred over the past several years and I haven’t given up. If I do, I would be giving up on millions of bright students who I am certain have much to offer. In my last blog post, I talked about the setbacks I’ve had as an entrepreneur and young professional, but just as many wonderful people and experiences provided phenomenal support throughout this journey. Many believe as I do, that education should inspire our students and any effort to do just that, is worth a bit of toil.

In my last blog, I also promised to share the facts and figures that inform the philosophy behind Education Planning Partners (EPP) and our program. It’s all detailed in my book, 10 Things I Wish I Knew in High School, but I am going to hold off on fulfilling my promise just yet. I’ll start the new year off with a series of blog posts that reveal all, but tonight, on this Christmas Eve, I want to share something else. I want to share my Christmas wish.

I hope that every student connects with and holds fast to their dreams, pursues their interests with purpose and alacrity, and recognizes the potential within. I hope they never give up on themselves and find encouragement in the fact that with a bit of focus and determination, they can make their education what they need it to be. They can achieve all they are meant to achieve. I hope that EPP can be a sign, a little nudge forward, a vote of confidence, and source of hope, that puts them on the right track and on their way to something wonderful.

Merry Christmas….here’s to a wonderful 2014!

Last month, the team here at Education Planning Partners announced the launch of our online educational community. After years of hard work and facing obstacles head on, we were ready to launch the marketing campaign and let the world know that EPP was open for business. Unfortunately, our plans were put on hold again and my dream took another hit.

EPP is not a revenue generating company. At present, yours truly – the irrepressible gal who loves to dream – is completely funding the venture. I have carried all of the costs associated with launching this education support program by working full-time while pursuing this dream in my spare time. So when I was let go from my job this month, I had to halt the marketing campaign and once again put my dream on hold. Given economic uncertainty these days, the job market is not always welcoming. Until I landed a new position, I needed to watch my budget. It was a difficult set-back for me, particularly given the nature of how I was let go, but if I have learned anything during this journey, it’s how to take a hit and get back up.

Perhaps it may not seem like a big deal, but if you had worked at something for over seven years, invested your life savings, and risen from the ground over and over, only to have another curve ball knock you down days away from achieving a major milestone, you might be able to relate. So yes, it’s a big deal to take a hit and get back up, again and again and again, until you reach your goal. As I worked to figure out my job situation, I contemplated what I could do to keep things moving with EPP. It gave me an opportunity to reevaluate my marketing plans and a new idea struck me. Rather than throw thousands of dollars into online and social media advertising, which was the focal point of my marketing plan, why not write a book and then launch a promotional campaign? As I looked into this further, the idea became rather appealing. I could focus on writing the book and prepping for the campaign, while settling into a new position.  So look for my book, 10 Things I Wish I Knew In High School, coming soon to a bookstore near you!

What’s the point in sharing this story? The education system needs to equip students for the inevitable hits they will have to survive. When you look at some of the data on academic outcomes and career success for high school and college students, the story it tells is compelling. Too many of our students are simply not prepared for the realities of college and the workforce. The education they receive, in many cases, does not equip them to anticipate, plan for, and overcome the challenges they will undoubtedly face. It does not provide them with well-rounded, comprehensive information and perspectives to make well-informed decisions about their education. It does not factor in the highly personal determinants of success in today’s rapidly changing environment. It does not help them define what success looks like – for them – and identify the best path to get there. Our students are taking hits, but they are struggling to get up and on track. In my next post, I’ll share the facts and figures to back this up, because it’s the truth and students need to hear it, so that they can help themselves.

Perseverance, fortitude, foresight, adaptability, innovation and resilience don’t happen overnight. They have to be cultivated and a series of pre-programmed courses, from cookie-cutter curricula, reinforced by standardized tests, isn’t going to accomplish this. Our students need their education to be so much more in order for them to make it and reach their full potential. So I am putting pen to paper to spell it out, the 10 things I wish I knew in high school that hopefully will not only help students take a hit or two and get back up, but do it with a smile and a bit of their own style.

Today is a big day for the team here at Education Planning Partners. After several years of hard work we are finally able to launch our academic and career planning website. I won’t go into all of the details on what it took to get to this point, but I will say this: where there is passion, there is perseverance. The challenges and obstacles we’ve faced along the way may have seemed insurmountable had it not been for the undeniable passion at the heart and soul of what we’re trying to accomplish.

We hope to help students across the county  connect with their own passion, so that they too persevere and accomplish all that they are able and meant to achieve. For some, this seems like a lofty ambition and indeed, it is. So we start with the basics and go from there. Our program is built on three key components that will help us get there.

Research – we understand that parents and students have a lot on their plates and just researching what their options are, finding the tools and resources that will help, can often be trying. So we’re going to do that for you. We’ll put the tools and information you need right at your finger tips.
Guidance – we are independent and have no other agenda beyond helping students reach their goals. We share the facts, all the different perspectives and then we offer specific recommendations to guide students each and every year, based on their individual needs and interests. We hope that through a simple step by step process, students can get the support they need in an easy to follow manner.
Affordable Access – we aim to accomplish our mission with as little cost to parents and students as possible. Our ultimate goal is to provide the highest level of service at no cost whatsoever. We’re not there yet, but we’ll get there!

We have quite a bit of work ahead of us and we hope you will join us in the journey. Someone recently said that the worth of any goal is measured in the obstacles you are willing to overcome to achieve it. We all know that most things worth accomplishing are not easy to achieve. I believe tailored education for our children is worth it. I believe investing in their potential is worth it. We will continue to persevere here at Education Planning Partners because it is our passion and our purpose.

Today is a big day, but tomorrow will be even bigger.

We hope that you are excited about what we’re trying to do here at Education Planning Partners. We appreciate any help you’re willing to offer in referring students and parents to us. Anyone who registers on our site will be asked to complete a survey within a month of registering. In that initial survey we allow our members to let us know how they heard about us. Anyone who is noted as a referral source will have an opportunity to win a $200 gift card from Amazon.com. Your name will be placed in a drawing every time you are noted as a referral. A drawing will be held periodically throughout the year, though you are only eligible to receive a gift-card once a year.

You’re never too young or too old to pursue a passion. EPP is all about inspiring students to dig deep and find out not only what they want from life, but what they can offer to the world. When you do tap into your passion, not only will you find inspiration for yourself, you just might inspire others as well.

But don’t take our word for it! Read this uplifting article about 16 kids who are already making their mark on the world. They are young – not even out of school – but already thinking about the future. They are tapping into their passion and interests and crafting a vision for themselves and others that is pretty remarkable.

Each and every day we should ask ourselves if we are living up to our potential. Time passes quickly. When today ends, we can never get it back. The sun sets; the day is over. You don’t know what tomorrow holds, but you could certainly have a say in the matter, if you take the time to care….and find your inspiration.

We’re always on the look out for great tools and resources for students. We found one such tool that is particularly exciting because it allows students to explore the career possibilities available to them. In a nutshell, they can get a glimpse into their future!

This wonderful tool is the Virtual Job Shadow. In creating the EPP student development program, career exploration is a major component of our approach. Academics are important, but in the absence of an understanding of how knowledge learned in the classroom translates to actual career opportunities, students may miss out on an important element of meaning in their studies. With the virtual job shadow resource, students can explore career options in a highly interactive way.

Our partners at Virtual Job Shadow are really in touch with our students’ needs. “Our long held belief is that students will stay in school longer and become more engaged in learning if they can better connect academics to real world applications. Living in a digital age makes it possible to bring the real world to the student! This is what VirtualJobShadow.com is all about- providing a window directly into the workplace, empowering students to make informed decisions about their future. Careers by choice, not by chance!”

At EPP we will continue to research information and tools on behalf of our students and parents. We will work to provide you access when you need it and guide you through the process of exploration, decision-making, and celebrate with you when you achieve all we know you can!

“It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education.” Have you ever run across this quote? Many today can relate with Albert Einstein’s sentiments. Though creative, enthusiastic educators and educational institutions abound, far too often regimented, rote-based learning best characterizes the experiences of students in our system. This is particularly evident when we consider the methods of assessment used, such as high-stakes standardized tests upon which so much rides.  As the highly politicized education reform agenda continues to be debated on a national stage, testing practices should remain a key focus of discourse.

A recent post in the Higher Education Management group on LinkedIn, “What Happens When An Adult Takes A Standardized Test” shed some interesting anecdotal insights on this provocative topic.  The post referenced The Answer Sheet blog by Valerie Strauss. She shares colleague Marion Brady’s exploration of the experience and reflections of a school board member who took a standardized test that 10th graders take in his district. The 13 year board member and veteran educator took the test in an effort to investigate long-standing concerns he had as to whether the test results truly reflected a student’s ability.

Mr. Brady shared the following email from the school board member:

“I won’t beat around the bush. The math section had 60 questions. I knew the answers to none of them, but managed to guess ten out of the 60 correctly. On the reading test, I got 62% . In our system, that’s a ‘D,’ and would get me a mandatory assignment to a double block of reading instruction.

“It seems to me something is seriously wrong. I have a bachelor of science degree, two masters degrees, and 15 credit hours toward a doctorate. I help oversee an organization with 22,000 employees and a $3 billion operations and capital budget, and am able to make sense of complex data related to those responsibilities….

“It might be argued that I’ve been out of school too long, that if I’d actuall y been in the 10th grade prior to taking the test, the material would have been fresh. But doesn’t that miss the point? A test that can determine a student’s future life chances should surely relate in some practical way to the requirements of life. I can’t see how that could possibly be true of the test I took.”

Your interest is probably piqued by now. To learn more about this story, be sure to read the follow up post, Revealed: School board member who took test. Its a thought-provoking read.

I am a life long learner and enjoy education. I have three degrees and soon hope to begin work on a doctorate. I’ve had wonderful teachers and went to great public and private schools. I hold education in the highest regard, but somewhere along the way we’ve lost sight on what good education looks like and what is most important for our students to learn. In our effort to validate how learned our students are, we are overlooking and trampling on the elements that produce the greatest results. Testing has its place in education, but if not implemented appropriately, the consequences can be pretty devastating.

This past weekend my sister and I, along with a good friend and her young daughter went to see the new movie Dolphin Tale and what a wonderful surprise. We weren’t really expecting much to be truthfully honest, but we left that theater with so much more than we bargained for. The movie wasn’t just about a dolphin who receives a prosthetic tail and a new lease on life. It isn’t just about a shy, introverted and somewhat depressed 11 year old boy who befriends the dolphin. This movie was so much about the bonds of family, the costs of sacrifice, the rewards of perseverance, and the profound impact of compassion. There was another important element my sister and I noticed as well. Not surprisingly, it was about education. After all, this blog and my passion, is really about the education system, its impact, its value and how it needs to change.

*Spoiler Alert! If you haven’t seen the movie Dolphin Tale, you may want to wait and read this post later!*

The hero in the story, though every person added so much, was 11 year old Sawyer. He was flunking out of all of this classes and subsequently required to go to summer school. We won’t analyze why he was flunking out and what was alluded to on that front. I want to focus on what the mother did that made my heart leap within my chest. Sawyer encounters an injured Dolphin on his way to summer school and helps free her. Marine rescue is called on the scene and whisks the dolphin to their facility for treatment. Sawyer is not far behind and soon begins skipping summer school to visit Winter (they named her!) and aid in her recovery.

Of course, mom finds out and is ready to make Sawyer go back to summer school. Fortunately, through the wise counsel of a relative and letting Sawyer show her what he is up to, mom sees the spark, the passion, the absolute joy Sawyer is experiencing. Mom pleads Sawyer’s case with the teacher, recognizing that the educational experience he is getting , the level of engagement and comprehensive value, was not being achieved in the classroom. The teacher refuses to give Sawyer credit for summer school, yet mom holds firm and allows Sawyer to continue his journey with Winter. The outcome is amazing, so much so, that there is now a movie about it!

I was thrilled to learn about this remarkable tale and yet, I was saddened. I wondered how many “Dolphin Tale” experiences are missed because we focus so much on educating students based on prescribed methodologies and standards or creating elaborate testing requirements to yield quantitative data-driven evaluations and results? I believe every person is unique. What intrigues, excites and grasps the attention of one, may be dull as dirt to another. Just because a student is not engaged, or perhaps may not do well on tests, doesn’t mean that he or she is a failure as a student. It may just mean they need a different experience, an alternative way of learning. We need to find the Dolphin Tale adventure for every student and put their passion first. I believe when we tap into that passion,  learning and educating will be much more personal, that much easier and far more successful.

~Sarah, Founder & gal on a mission

Wait a minute! What in the world am I thinking? Figuring out a solution to the challenges in the education system? Who am I kidding? What could I possibly do or devise that could meaningfully address the startling reality of what’s occurring?

33% of high school students will drop out, 50% when poverty is a factor
Only 51% of college students will graduate within 5 years.
The cost of higher education grew 439% from 1982-2007 and continues to rise.

Just read any of the reports out there such as The Silent Epidemic, by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation www.gatesfoundation.org, or Student Success: Understanding Graduation and Persistence Rates by the American Council on Education www.acenet.edu and you’ll quickly see the enormity of the challenge.

Forget the research and just think about a student or person you know, or perhaps look a little closer to home. How many of us can honestly say that we were well prepared for college? We had a good understanding of what we wanted to do with our lives and could see exactly how to get their after completing our studies? How many can say they are using their degree in their career or are happy and fulfilled in their job? It’s a tall order.

The thing that is so interesting to me is that there are so many programs, products and services out their from personality profiles, test prep and college admissions coaches, tools that help match you to careers and match students to colleges, consulting firms that will help you with your resume, or land that dream job. With so many resources, why do we continue to face these challenges?

After careful reflection and several years of work as a consultant helping businesses address challenges that seemed to parallel some of the issues I was observing in the education system, I came to the conclusion that yes, a viable solution was evident.  Here were the key elements:

Students and parents need easy access to the best tools and resources available. Don’t make them go digging around for it. Do the research, screening and vetting for them and put it at their finger tips.
Give them a very structured, detailed guide. A plan for every year starting in high school and continuing into their professional career. A comprehensive academic and career performance management system. Make recommendations, present options, remind them, coach them. Again, don’t make them have to work for it or pay through the nose for it. Put it at their finger tips.
Make it personal. No one size fits all. There are so many alternative education programs from secondary education through post secondary. Make the journey personal for each individual.
Provide all of this for free and put it on the web! Eliminate some of the biggest barriers, poverty, geographic constraints, stigma, etc.
Drive the no-cost model through an IT enabled service delivery model and a win-win business model (huh? more on this one at a later date!)

And so that’s what I did. I developed a solution based on these elements that provides students with comprehensive support services that are personal, accessible, integrated, timely and extensible, increasing changes of success in high school, college and beyond.

So what do you think? I’ll be asking that question often as I share my thoughts on the pressing topics, issues, and concerns in the education space and what the team at EPP is doing to address them.

~Sarah, Founder & Dream Spinner