🐴 How to live a fulfilled life. (#136)

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💡 THOUGHT

WHERE FULFILLMENT COMES FROM

A decade and a half later, this quote from David McCullough Jr’s famous "You Are Not Special" graduation speech hits different for parents choosing their kids' education path.

Are they collecting gold stars or actually learning? Are they chasing grades or solving real problems?

Stop chasing achievements and start pursuing what matters.

📊 TREND

EDUCATION IS OPENING UP IN KANSAS

OpenEd is thrilled about our new partnership with Augusta Public Schools, bringing personalized learning to K-8 students across Kansas.

To our early OpenEd families: You saw it first. The flexible, personalized approach you helped pioneer is becoming mainstream. Forward-thinking districts like Augusta aren't fighting the shift away from one-size-fits-all education – they're embracing it.

As Augusta Superintendent Matt Ward puts it: "The landscape for education has changed, and it will continue to evolve."

And this is just the beginning. Know a family in Kansas who’s ready to build an education that fits their child? Tell them about OpenEd!

🔨 TOOL

THE MCCULLOUGH STARTER PACK

In case you were wondering, yes, David McCullough Jr. – the high school teacher who delivered the famous graduation speech – is the son of the late historian David McCullough Sr., who left us an incredible toolkit for teaching history in a way that captures young minds.

Here's your McCullough starter pack for bringing history to life:

For Young Readers (Ages 10+):

• "The Wright Brothers" - Perfect for showing how persistence and real-world problem-solving lead to innovation

• "The Johnstown Flood" - A gripping tale of disaster and human resilience that reads like an adventure story

For Teens:

• "1776" - Makes the American Revolution feel immediate and relevant

• "The Great Bridge" - The Brooklyn Bridge story teaches engineering, politics, and human determination

The best history isn't about memorizing dates – it's about understanding human stories and learning from them.

Pro tip: Start with the audiobooks. McCullough Sr.'s voice (he narrated many himself) makes history feel like storytelling around a campfire.

That’s all for today!

– Charlie (the OpenEd newsletter guy)

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