Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Education kicked off their first back-to-school tour called #ReThinkSchools! The purpose of this tour is highlight the innovative and groundbreaking work happening in schools across America. The “Rethink School” tour will showcase creative ways in which education leaders are meeting the needs of students in K-12 and higher education.

The Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, will be speaking at each school about how the family is the nucleus of civic life, but too many in Washington have forgotten that, the bigger the educaiton “system” the smaller the student!

The final stop, on day one of the #ReThinkSchool Tour, was St. Stephens Indian School. St. Stephens has been part of the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming for more than 120 years. The school’s culturally responsive environment meets the education needs of students while honoring their Native American culture. St. Stephens believe that they exists first and foremost for teaching and learning. Their students will be taught the techniques for living and leadership in modern society within a curriculum framework, which includes the art, language, and beliefs of American Indian culture and heritage.

They believe that all students can learn when provided with a positive, success oriented, and safe environment. Students, teachers, administrators, parents, and community are equally important in the learning process.

It’s time to re-think what education means to each individual student and to re-think what it means to engage students in a life-long learning journey and prepare for successful careers and lives. Rethinking education ultimately means returning power to parents and families.

It’s time to #ReThinkSchool!