1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:02,879 Speaker 1: Hi, good morning, Rummy. How are you doing today. 2 00:00:03,600 --> 00:00:04,480 Speaker 2: I'm doing great. 3 00:00:05,879 --> 00:00:08,839 Speaker 1: I got to tell you, I am intrigued by your book, 4 00:00:08,919 --> 00:00:11,839 your study, your everything. And the reason why is because 5 00:00:11,880 --> 00:00:14,519 I'm on the opposite side of education in the way 6 00:00:14,599 --> 00:00:18,440 that my students are anywhere between eighteen and sixty four. 7 00:00:19,079 --> 00:00:21,440 And everything that I'm learning about people that are in 8 00:00:21,480 --> 00:00:24,519 school today, high school, middle school, they are no different 9 00:00:24,600 --> 00:00:27,640 than a fifty five year old man or woman. I 10 00:00:27,679 --> 00:00:30,000 swear to God, I feel like I'm reading about my 11 00:00:30,160 --> 00:00:32,359 students when I am reading your study. 12 00:00:33,759 --> 00:00:36,479 Speaker 2: Well, I'm so happy that the study feels meaningful to 13 00:00:36,560 --> 00:00:39,079 your own life, and I agree there's many lessons to 14 00:00:39,200 --> 00:00:40,560 draw from it as an adult. 15 00:00:41,039 --> 00:00:43,240 Speaker 1: One of the things that has always scared me about 16 00:00:43,280 --> 00:00:44,920 young adults, and I do work with a lot of 17 00:00:44,920 --> 00:00:47,039 young adults at the essential job, and that is is 18 00:00:47,039 --> 00:00:49,679 that they're not really looking forward to the future. How 19 00:00:49,719 --> 00:00:52,560 does that really dive into their education. 20 00:00:54,439 --> 00:00:59,759 Speaker 2: It's so important that students feel inspired and motivated about 21 00:00:59,759 --> 00:01:02,840 their futures. And one of the things we're excited about 22 00:01:02,920 --> 00:01:06,640 in this study is that more than ever before, students 23 00:01:06,680 --> 00:01:09,640 are saying they feel ready for the future. Fifty six 24 00:01:09,719 --> 00:01:12,239 percent of gen Zers are saying they feel ready for 25 00:01:12,319 --> 00:01:15,319 their future. That's the highest level we've seen in the 26 00:01:15,319 --> 00:01:18,719 three years we've done this survey. But we also know 27 00:01:18,799 --> 00:01:22,000 that we have more work to do to actually prepare 28 00:01:22,159 --> 00:01:26,120 students for the challenges they will meet and the opportunities 29 00:01:26,159 --> 00:01:29,879 they will meet in life and as they pursue jobs 30 00:01:29,959 --> 00:01:30,640 of the future. 31 00:01:30,920 --> 00:01:32,959 Speaker 1: Don't you think though, that part of those studies and 32 00:01:33,040 --> 00:01:34,959 part of the discipline has got to be that when 33 00:01:34,959 --> 00:01:36,840 they go and land their very first job, they've got 34 00:01:36,879 --> 00:01:39,840 to be held accountable and they can't have leaders that say, well, 35 00:01:39,879 --> 00:01:43,000 they are sixteen or seventeen, you've got to lean on 36 00:01:43,040 --> 00:01:45,640 them and understand when when you know that you and 37 00:01:45,680 --> 00:01:46,920 I were never shaped like that. 38 00:01:48,640 --> 00:01:53,599 Speaker 2: I think that it starts in school, and it starts 39 00:01:52,719 --> 00:01:57,439 in terms of developing the skill sets and mindsets that 40 00:01:57,599 --> 00:02:01,200 students need to succeed, and part of that is grit 41 00:02:01,560 --> 00:02:05,840 and resilience. Only thirty seven percent of students in this 42 00:02:06,000 --> 00:02:09,719 survey say their course work feels connected to the real world. 43 00:02:10,120 --> 00:02:12,840 So we have more work to do to ensure that 44 00:02:12,960 --> 00:02:18,400 students have access to those life experiences and job experiences 45 00:02:18,520 --> 00:02:21,639 at an earlier age so that they start to get 46 00:02:21,680 --> 00:02:24,080 ready and they start to see what it means to 47 00:02:24,120 --> 00:02:26,039 even be part of the working world. 48 00:02:26,520 --> 00:02:28,039 Speaker 1: I tell students to go get a job at a 49 00:02:28,080 --> 00:02:30,280 grocery store, and the reason why is because they're going 50 00:02:30,360 --> 00:02:32,719 to meet doctors, they're going to meet lawyers, they're going 51 00:02:32,759 --> 00:02:34,719 to meet all of these people in the world of 52 00:02:34,759 --> 00:02:37,680 business that will serve as an inspiration to them because 53 00:02:37,759 --> 00:02:40,319 they'll answer their questions for free. I mean, it's like 54 00:02:40,360 --> 00:02:42,599 an internship right there at Register number four. 55 00:02:44,439 --> 00:02:48,680 Speaker 2: I am a big supporter of the idea of work experience, 56 00:02:48,759 --> 00:02:55,000 whether that is through apprenticeships or internships, or career connected learning, 57 00:02:55,039 --> 00:02:59,719 which is about making sure that career experiences and knowledge 58 00:02:59,840 --> 00:03:03,560 are blended into the academic model of a school. And 59 00:03:03,599 --> 00:03:06,240 there are high schools across the country that are taking 60 00:03:06,319 --> 00:03:11,120 really creative approaches to making sure that students even know 61 00:03:11,479 --> 00:03:13,879 what the jobs out there are and the kind of 62 00:03:13,960 --> 00:03:17,199 skills that they require. So I think you're spot on 63 00:03:17,360 --> 00:03:22,159 when you say that we need to expose students. Exposure 64 00:03:22,319 --> 00:03:24,840 is a big part of it, and then also give 65 00:03:24,879 --> 00:03:28,439 them access to the experiences that will prepare them for 66 00:03:28,520 --> 00:03:29,159 what's next. 67 00:03:29,719 --> 00:03:32,400 Speaker 1: Please do not move. There's more with romy Drucker coming 68 00:03:32,479 --> 00:03:37,520 up next. This study is all about students and how 69 00:03:37,560 --> 00:03:40,479 to get them engaged in the realms of the real world. 70 00:03:40,599 --> 00:03:43,520 We're back with Romy Drucker. I totally agree with you 71 00:03:43,560 --> 00:03:45,919 when it comes to the right class can build lasting 72 00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:49,280 skills and confidence. Because Tony sweer Engine in nineteen seventy 73 00:03:49,319 --> 00:03:52,719 eight was my broadcast instructor in Buildings, Montana. I'm forty 74 00:03:52,759 --> 00:03:55,879 six years deep into this career because of Tony swear Engine. 75 00:03:57,719 --> 00:04:00,439 Speaker 2: That's such a great anecdote and it goes to show 76 00:04:00,479 --> 00:04:06,479 what strong mentorship and teachers who inspire and the impact 77 00:04:06,639 --> 00:04:09,919 that makes on a student's life. Seventy eight percent of 78 00:04:10,039 --> 00:04:13,879 students in this survey say they feel more excited when 79 00:04:13,919 --> 00:04:19,279 a teacher makes learning and challenging. So teachers mentors adults 80 00:04:19,319 --> 00:04:23,800 in their lives. It's key to student inspiration. It's key 81 00:04:23,839 --> 00:04:27,000 to helping students find that spark and really tap into 82 00:04:27,040 --> 00:04:30,639 their interests and purpose, which we ultimately know will lead 83 00:04:30,680 --> 00:04:33,560 to a more fulfilling and stable life. 84 00:04:33,920 --> 00:04:36,040 Speaker 1: Falling witness to a lot of students go off to 85 00:04:36,120 --> 00:04:38,560 their first year in college. They seem to be on 86 00:04:38,639 --> 00:04:40,879 the shy side when you ask the question what are 87 00:04:40,879 --> 00:04:43,439 you going to study? I would love to see more 88 00:04:43,439 --> 00:04:45,839 confidence in the students saying, well, you know what, I'm 89 00:04:45,879 --> 00:04:49,600 going into biology, I'm going into this, and that's what 90 00:04:49,639 --> 00:04:50,720 I would love to see. 91 00:04:51,959 --> 00:04:55,120 Speaker 2: I think if high school was a place that really 92 00:04:55,240 --> 00:04:58,079 helped you think about what your interests are in a 93 00:04:58,160 --> 00:05:01,399 more concrete way than and you would see more of 94 00:05:01,399 --> 00:05:04,600 that kind of response. And I do want to say 95 00:05:04,600 --> 00:05:07,319 that I feel like schools across the country are making 96 00:05:07,480 --> 00:05:12,360 progress here. They are thinking differently about helping students tap 97 00:05:12,439 --> 00:05:16,519 into their interests and the kind of experiences they find meaningful. 98 00:05:17,040 --> 00:05:20,360 But also college should be a place for exploration. 99 00:05:20,720 --> 00:05:24,160 Speaker 1: So it is a balance how much is AI changing 100 00:05:24,240 --> 00:05:27,839 the course because I'm not addicted to chat GPT, but 101 00:05:27,920 --> 00:05:29,680 i will go to it because I'm too lazy to 102 00:05:29,680 --> 00:05:31,839 go to Google, and Google was once that machine. 103 00:05:33,160 --> 00:05:36,600 Speaker 2: I think that a really important impact of AI is 104 00:05:36,720 --> 00:05:40,000 actually on the world of work, and so students need 105 00:05:40,040 --> 00:05:47,000 to be more adaptive and have technological skill sets and 106 00:05:48,079 --> 00:05:51,600 a sense of being willing to change with the times, 107 00:05:52,279 --> 00:05:56,360 and the jobs today may look different in a couple 108 00:05:56,399 --> 00:06:00,000 of years, so again we need to be introducing student 109 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:04,199 evidence to the technology and building hard skills, but also 110 00:06:04,319 --> 00:06:08,600 developing those soft skills like grit and resilience that will 111 00:06:08,600 --> 00:06:11,319 help students succeed in a changing economy. 112 00:06:11,600 --> 00:06:14,160 Speaker 1: Who I've got a lot of compassion for are the teachers. 113 00:06:14,199 --> 00:06:16,279 Because my wife is a retired teacher. I know what 114 00:06:16,319 --> 00:06:19,360 she went through. I knew her daily challenges and struggles 115 00:06:19,399 --> 00:06:21,519 and victories and things like that. But I would like 116 00:06:21,560 --> 00:06:23,920 to see what a modern day teacher is going through. 117 00:06:23,959 --> 00:06:26,399 And I wish that they would put more real people 118 00:06:26,439 --> 00:06:28,120 in there. In other words, if I'm a broadcaster, go 119 00:06:28,160 --> 00:06:30,920 in there and teach writing, go in there and teach journalism. 120 00:06:31,519 --> 00:06:34,439 Don't rely on a book, teach experience. What's your gut. 121 00:06:36,040 --> 00:06:39,120 Speaker 2: That's a great point, and the Walton Family Foundation in 122 00:06:39,199 --> 00:06:42,600 Gallup have also partnered on research about teachers, which I 123 00:06:42,600 --> 00:06:45,759 would encourage your listeners to check out. What we know 124 00:06:46,000 --> 00:06:49,079 is that, first of all, teachers play an outsized role 125 00:06:49,120 --> 00:06:52,360 in students' lives and really are the spark, and that 126 00:06:52,480 --> 00:06:55,680 teaching and learning is about human connection. And I think 127 00:06:55,680 --> 00:06:59,399 that the more real world experiences that teachers bring into 128 00:06:59,439 --> 00:07:03,399 the class, the better. Students in this survey say we 129 00:07:03,639 --> 00:07:06,680 are more engaged and expired when we see that what 130 00:07:06,759 --> 00:07:09,480 we're learning is relevant to the world of work. So 131 00:07:09,720 --> 00:07:12,160 maybe we should all, you know, go to our local 132 00:07:12,199 --> 00:07:13,920 school and see if there is a way for us 133 00:07:13,959 --> 00:07:15,560 to get involved and engaged. 134 00:07:16,560 --> 00:07:18,959 Speaker 1: One in three students, according to your study, don't feel 135 00:07:19,000 --> 00:07:21,079 like that they're learning anything. And I can agree with 136 00:07:21,120 --> 00:07:23,560 this because I've got a senior. His name is Jimmy. 137 00:07:23,800 --> 00:07:26,319 Jimmy says, I want, I Want, I want, And I said, Jimmy, 138 00:07:26,399 --> 00:07:28,560 it's all about you. You can't do that. It's got 139 00:07:28,600 --> 00:07:31,600 to be about the guest. Make it about them. I 140 00:07:31,600 --> 00:07:33,759 don't want to. So how can how can we been 141 00:07:33,879 --> 00:07:36,680 that rule? Because I realize selfishness is part of life, 142 00:07:36,759 --> 00:07:38,600 but how can we get out of it a lot quicker? 143 00:07:40,519 --> 00:07:43,279 Speaker 2: We know that we need to support teachers to make 144 00:07:43,399 --> 00:07:47,879 learning interesting and inspiring for students, and that that is 145 00:07:47,920 --> 00:07:51,519 the difference maker. So let's make sure teachers have what 146 00:07:51,560 --> 00:07:56,279 they need, the professional supports, the high quality instructional materials, 147 00:07:56,600 --> 00:08:00,920 but also the creativity to adapt curriculum in their classroom 148 00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:03,639 so that they can meet kids where they are and 149 00:08:03,759 --> 00:08:07,720 personalize that experience. I think that's really the key in 150 00:08:07,800 --> 00:08:10,439 terms of reimagining the school experience. 151 00:08:10,920 --> 00:08:13,160 Speaker 1: Now, am I wrong in saying that just because I 152 00:08:13,160 --> 00:08:15,480 work for this major corporation? I always say that I 153 00:08:15,519 --> 00:08:18,000 am not an employee. I am a student. I am 154 00:08:18,079 --> 00:08:20,199 here to learn. And the reason why I say that 155 00:08:20,240 --> 00:08:21,560 is because I would like to see a lot more 156 00:08:21,600 --> 00:08:25,079 adults really look at their jobs and be prepared, be optimistic, 157 00:08:25,399 --> 00:08:27,439 be that person that's going to be a leader in 158 00:08:27,480 --> 00:08:29,959 your business, just like a school student. 159 00:08:31,959 --> 00:08:36,399 Speaker 2: This generation gen Z is very hopeful and we need 160 00:08:36,440 --> 00:08:38,960 to harness that. So we need to meet them where 161 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:42,240 we are. We need to work hard as a community 162 00:08:42,320 --> 00:08:44,879 of adults to make sure that they don't lose that 163 00:08:45,080 --> 00:08:50,320 optimistic spirit about what's possible. And school is key to that. 164 00:08:50,480 --> 00:08:54,440 School is key to helping them feel ready for the future. 165 00:08:54,519 --> 00:08:57,320 But also school is a place that can help to 166 00:08:57,360 --> 00:09:00,759 address other challenges they're facing in their lives, like their 167 00:09:00,799 --> 00:09:04,399 mental health and helping to build community and friendships. So 168 00:09:05,240 --> 00:09:08,679 we're very focused at the Walton Family Foundation on school 169 00:09:08,799 --> 00:09:12,480 as the unit of change and investing in supporting teachers 170 00:09:12,960 --> 00:09:15,799 and making sure that students are getting what they need. 171 00:09:15,919 --> 00:09:18,559 Speaker 1: How many people can really dive into helping out the 172 00:09:18,600 --> 00:09:21,000 Walton Foundation, because I mean, this is so interesting to me, 173 00:09:21,039 --> 00:09:23,759 because I mean, if the door is already open, why 174 00:09:23,799 --> 00:09:26,080 not invest in those that are already there. 175 00:09:27,440 --> 00:09:32,000 Speaker 2: I think that American employers have a huge role to 176 00:09:32,080 --> 00:09:36,960 play in creating access points and inroads for students to 177 00:09:37,039 --> 00:09:40,600 have early work experiences. Like we were just talking about, 178 00:09:40,679 --> 00:09:45,159 so anyone who's working at a company who has ideas 179 00:09:45,200 --> 00:09:48,759 about how to engage students, I've seen so many amazing 180 00:09:48,840 --> 00:09:54,240 partnerships between employers and schools that help students gain exposure 181 00:09:54,320 --> 00:09:57,720 and experience to the jobs of the future, and in 182 00:09:57,759 --> 00:10:02,039 some cases you know that starts a pathway that changes 183 00:10:02,080 --> 00:10:04,759 a child's life. So there are lots of ways to 184 00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:07,879 think about partnerships, and this is going to be an 185 00:10:07,919 --> 00:10:08,960 all hands effort. 186 00:10:09,360 --> 00:10:12,080 Speaker 1: Confidence encourage is one thing that I truly believe in, 187 00:10:12,120 --> 00:10:14,080 and I guess maybe it's the martial artists coming out 188 00:10:14,080 --> 00:10:15,960 in me. But I'll show somebody how to do something 189 00:10:16,000 --> 00:10:18,000 and then I erase it, bring the problem back, and 190 00:10:18,000 --> 00:10:20,039 I make them do it. Don't you think that part 191 00:10:20,080 --> 00:10:23,879 of that engagement for students is letting them figure it out. 192 00:10:25,399 --> 00:10:30,360 Speaker 2: We definitely know that curiosity and life wrong learning, and 193 00:10:30,519 --> 00:10:34,240 also the ability to fail and then be willing to 194 00:10:34,320 --> 00:10:38,679 try again, that those are skill sets that get developed 195 00:10:38,720 --> 00:10:41,759 really early on in a child's life and also need 196 00:10:41,840 --> 00:10:48,559 to be practiced in school. So great teaching that supports 197 00:10:48,600 --> 00:10:53,120 students in failing and then succeeding. Great teaching that helps 198 00:10:53,159 --> 00:10:57,320 students feel connected to their interests. That's the key to 199 00:10:57,399 --> 00:10:58,919 unlocking student success. 200 00:10:59,399 --> 00:11:01,799 Speaker 1: I love the real relationship that the younger adults are 201 00:11:01,840 --> 00:11:04,320 really trying to have with the older adults. I mean, 202 00:11:04,320 --> 00:11:06,639 because growing up, you know, it was like, that's our grandparents. 203 00:11:06,639 --> 00:11:08,480 We don't hang out with our grandparents. But I'm starting 204 00:11:08,519 --> 00:11:10,919 to see a lot of young adults learn from the 205 00:11:11,000 --> 00:11:13,639 older people. But the thing is, it still comes with 206 00:11:13,679 --> 00:11:15,720 that stigma, how do you see me? Well, you're the 207 00:11:15,759 --> 00:11:18,039 old guy. You learn from the old guy. I'm the 208 00:11:18,120 --> 00:11:19,600 old guy, Thanks buddy. 209 00:11:21,759 --> 00:11:26,840 Speaker 2: Our foundation really believes deeply in the idea of intergenerational 210 00:11:27,000 --> 00:11:31,720 change and collaboration and also working across lines of difference, 211 00:11:32,480 --> 00:11:37,600 So we need more of that. I think older generations 212 00:11:37,679 --> 00:11:42,799 can learn from younger people's experiences and vice versa. I'm 213 00:11:42,840 --> 00:11:46,960 hopeful that our institutions can support that kind of dialogue, 214 00:11:47,360 --> 00:11:50,320 and I think philanthropy has an important role to play 215 00:11:50,679 --> 00:11:54,840 in helping to support that conversation and making sure we're 216 00:11:54,840 --> 00:11:57,320 all learning from each other and building bridges. 217 00:11:57,600 --> 00:11:59,360 Speaker 1: You know what my game changer is with the young adults, 218 00:11:59,480 --> 00:12:02,399 it's food it's taste. They love food, they love to 219 00:12:02,399 --> 00:12:04,360 take snacks, and so what we do is we'll do 220 00:12:04,799 --> 00:12:07,080 a tasting and then I make them break it down, 221 00:12:07,200 --> 00:12:08,879 do the marketing, and then sit there and try to 222 00:12:08,879 --> 00:12:10,879 figure out how they even got to this grocery store, 223 00:12:11,000 --> 00:12:13,919 because I want them to understand it didn't just happen. 224 00:12:15,279 --> 00:12:17,840 Speaker 2: Well, I couldn't agree with you more that food builds 225 00:12:17,879 --> 00:12:22,039 community and is a really important part of bringing people together. 226 00:12:22,159 --> 00:12:24,720 So I love that story and there's a great lesson 227 00:12:24,759 --> 00:12:26,720 in there for what needs to be true when we 228 00:12:26,759 --> 00:12:27,799 bring people together. 229 00:12:28,559 --> 00:12:31,159 Speaker 1: Where can people go to find out about this incredible 230 00:12:31,240 --> 00:12:34,519 journey that you're presently on, because at least you're trying, No, 231 00:12:34,600 --> 00:12:37,440 in fact, you're activating. You are putting yourself out there 232 00:12:37,440 --> 00:12:40,559 with information that is about growing forward and outward. 233 00:12:41,600 --> 00:12:44,559 Speaker 2: Well, thank you so much for saying that. On behalf 234 00:12:44,600 --> 00:12:47,440 of the Walton Family Foundation. I'm excited to be doing 235 00:12:47,480 --> 00:12:50,799 this work with our team. You can learn more at 236 00:12:50,919 --> 00:12:55,360 Waltonfamilyfoundation dot org slash gen Z Study. 237 00:12:55,919 --> 00:12:57,879 Speaker 1: Please come back to the show anytime in the future. Roalmy, 238 00:12:57,919 --> 00:13:00,000 the door is always going to be open for you. 239 00:13:00,559 --> 00:13:03,600 Speaker 2: Thank you so much. Really enjoyed the conversation and happy 240 00:13:03,679 --> 00:13:04,320 back to school. 241 00:13:04,440 --> 00:13:05,720 Speaker 1: Will you be brilliant today? 242 00:13:05,759 --> 00:13:08,080 Speaker 2: Okay, thank you, you too.