Why Now

“Doing your job in an average way in this integrated and automated global economy will lead to below average wages. Sadly, average is over. We’re in the age of “extra,” and everyone has to figure out what extra they can add to their work to justify being paid more than a computer, a Chinese worker or a day laborer.”  —Thomas Friedman

While unemployment hovers close to 10% in the US, Americans are competing for jobs like never before. Over 8 million American have lost jobs since 2007 adding to the 8 million that were already unemployed. But, what is different this time is that over 1 billion people are entering the global work force, competing for jobs and global market wages. In the flat world, anyone can compete to provide a service. Just take a look at elance.com.

Competing globally in this new flat world will require a generation of passionate, globally aware and connected lifelong learners.  Schools of the future will need to infuse relevance, innovation and collaboration to engage, empower and prepare students for the 21st Century.