John Sexton

I have heard many people say, “These kids are way better than the adults with technology” but in reality, it is our willingness to “push buttons” to see what happens which will ensure continuous learning. That willingness has no age limit. My mom really inspired this thinking as she learned to read and write later in life, but I also have watched her continuously develop in use of technology. She has always been curious and that has not only helped with any new device, but also in dealing with continuous change. I remember reading Adam Grant’s book “Originals” that people who used Google Chrome when Internet Explorer was the browser of (no) choice were less likely to accept the “default” in their lives. They would go out of their way to install and figure out a browser that wasn’t as known as popular at the time because they were looking at improving their experience. This had often carried over to other parts of their lives. That had always stuck with me. I have always been inspired by my parents and decided to try new things, even when I have no clue what I am doing. You can have a tremendous amount of knowledge, but a willingness to not just be curious, but to act upon it, can open up doors that you might currently not know exist. Many people wonder what education will look like ten years from now, but I think it is more important that we equip students with the ability to learn, adapt, and thrive with whatever comes their way. That starts with our own willingness to “push buttons.”