Why Education Needs a Veteran’s Perspective: Fixing a Broken System

Introduction: A Veteran Educator’s Fight for Better Schools

My name is Jeff, a disabled veteran, former educator, and dad in Arizona. I taught high school social studies for 10 years and served as an instructional coach for 2 years, pouring my heart into helping students grow. But toxic leadership in education triggered my PTSD, forcing me to leave the profession for my mental health. Now, running JK Prints & Gifts with my wife, Kari, I’m fighting for better schools for my kids and others. The education system is broken, but my military and teaching experience gives me a unique lens to propose real fixes. From outdated methods to overstretched teachers, I’ll share what’s failing and how we can rebuild, drawing on discipline, adaptability, and purpose from my service.

The Problem: What’s Broken in Education

The education system is failing too many kids. As a social studies teacher, I saw students disengaged by one-size-fits-all curriculums that didn’t match their learning styles. Standardized tests dominate, pushing rote memorization over critical thinking, which kills curiosity. Teachers are overworked and underpaid, with 55% considering quitting, per a 2022 National Education Association survey. As an instructional coach, I witnessed toxic leadership that ignored teacher input, burned out educators, and worsened my PTSD, pushing me out of the profession. As a dad, I worry my kids are stuck in a system that doesn’t prepare them for life’s challenges. Schools lack the structure and adaptability I learned in the military, failing students, teachers, and parents.

Veteran-Inspired Solutions to Fix Education

My 10 years teaching social studies, 2 years coaching educators, and military service taught me how to fix broken systems. Here are four specific solutions, grounded in veteran values, to transform education for kids like mine.

1. Personalize Learning with Adaptive Tools

In the military, training adapts to individual strengths, and schools should follow suit. Personalized learning, using tools like Canva Pro for interactive lesson plans, can tailor education to each student’s needs. Teachers can create engaging visuals or worksheets, like the K-2 summer learning packs we sell at JK Prints & Gifts, to spark interest. Schools should invest in adaptive platforms, letting kids explore subjects through projects, not just tests, as I advocated for as an instructional coach.

2. Teach Life Skills Like Resilience and Problem-Solving

The military drilled resilience and problem-solving into me, skills I tried to pass on to my students. Schools should offer classes on financial literacy, emotional regulation, and teamwork, starting in middle school. As a dad, I teach my kids grit through small challenges, like puzzles or goal-setting, inspired by my service. Schools can adopt project-based learning, where students tackle real-world problems, building skills that last beyond the classroom.

3. Empower Teachers with Better Support

In the military, leaders give troops clear missions and resources. Teachers need the same: smaller class sizes, better pay, and modern tools. Canva Pro, for instance, helps teachers design engaging materials quickly, saving time. Schools should also provide mental health support for educators to prevent burnout, something I wish I had when toxic leadership triggered my PTSD. As a former instructional coach, I know empowered teachers create thriving classrooms, benefiting kids like mine.

4. Integrate AI Thoughtfully

AI can enhance education, not replace teachers, as I discussed in my podcast “Teachers Aren’t Babysitters.” Tools like AI-driven tutoring apps can support personalized learning, freeing teachers to mentor students. Schools should train educators to use AI effectively, ensuring it serves kids’ needs. As a dad and former educator, I want my kids in classrooms where tech amplifies human connection, not diminishes it.

Why It Matters: A Veteran Dad’s Hope for Change

As a veteran dad and former educator, I’m not just critiquing education: I’m fighting for a system that prepares my kids for life. The military taught me to solve problems under pressure, and my 12 years in education showed me where schools fail. Toxic leadership pushed me out, but I’m using my voice to advocate for change. Personalization, life skills, teacher support, and smart AI use can rebuild education into something veterans, parents, and kids can believe in.

Join the Conversation

Are you a veteran, parent, or educator with ideas for fixing schools? Share your thoughts in the comments. Subscribe to Veteran Perspectives on Beehiiv or Substack for more on education reform and veteran life. Check out our learning tools at JK Prints & Gifts to support your kids’ growth. Let’s build better schools, together.