![\"A](\"https:\/\/sandiegodowntownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/IMG_8375.jpg\")
In his afternoon session with the 400 high school students, Zhao advised young people to use their passion to add value to the lives of others. Whether students launch their own businesses or work for someone else, they benefit from the entrepreneurial spirit that seeks to solve real problems. He uses the example of eighth-through-eleventh grade students he mentors who developed a series of children\u2019s books that teach English to primary readers in China. \u201cThese students are meeting a real need and solving a real problem,\u201d Zhao said.<\/p>\n
When considering whether or not an idea is worth pursuing, Zhao challenged e3 Civic High students to answer three questions venture capitalists ask start-up companies seeking support:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Does this solve a problem worth solving?<\/li>\n
- Why are you the person to solve it?<\/li>\n
- Why is now the right time for this solution?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Zhao told the students that a key to their success is creating a unique, individual, and authentic profile. This is a long process, he explains. But the result is \u201cthe right mix\u201d of passions, skills, and attributes that enhance the quality of life for others in a meaningful way.<\/p>\n
That evening, at the Shiley Special Events Center, Zhao had a message for parents and educators in attendance. Every student possesses his or her own unique greatness. He said, as adults, we must help students identify their passion and facilitate learning rather than insist that students conform to a traditional, one-size-fits-all model of learning. Schools should not be like a garden where flowers are selected and planted in formation. He said not only is that type of homogeny stifling to creativity, but in a garden, weeds are uprooted because someone has characterized them as undesirable. Instead, Zhao suggests schools be more like nature reserves where there is beauty and value in biodiversity.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe current educational system is designed to perpetrate an achievement gap,\u201d Zhao said about traditional performance differentials between students in different socio-economic and racial groups.<\/p>\n
\u201cDifferences have to be seen as valuable and every talent has to be valued. Every school should be able to identify unique talents and help students develop them rather than trying to \u2018fix\u2019 kids,\u201d Zhao said.<\/p>\n
When asked about the logistics of creating individualized learning plans for 30 students, Zhao said that the traditional model of teacher-led education was not in the best interests of students.<\/p>\n
\u201cTeachers need to step back and help students get the information they need to learn on their own,\u201d Zhao concluded.<\/p>\n
\u2014Yong Zhao is a Foundation Distinguished professor in the\u00a0School of Education at the University of Kansas. He is also a professorial fellow at the Mitchell Institute for Health and Education Policy, Victoria University in Australia as well as a Global Chair at the University of Bath, U.K. <\/em>His works focus on the implications of globalization and technology on education. He has published more than 100 articles and 30 books.<\/em><\/p>\n