It’s Not the Kids, It’s the Adults: Fixing the Real Problems in Education
Let’s start with a truth bomb: most of the challenges in education are not because of the kids. It’s us, the adults, who often create unnecessary roadblocks, confusion, and inefficiency. And while the students are busy being their curious, chaotic, delightful selves, we’re sometimes too stuck in our own processes—or worse, our own fixed mindsets—to truly focus on them.
Here’s the thing: kids are not the problem. The problem is when we start labeling them as “unmotivated,” “low-performing,” or “too distracted to succeed,” instead of looking at what we, as adults, can do differently. Sure, some kids face more challenges than others—that’s real. But when we make excuses for why they can’t learn instead of creating conditions where they can, we’re the ones standing in the way.
The "Necessary Friction" That Isn’t So Necessary
You know that teacher who blames a lack of student progress on “kids these days” being glued to their phones? Or the meeting where someone declares, “We’ve tried everything—this group just doesn’t care”? Or the initiative that’s supposed to help struggling students but never gets implemented properly because “they won’t respond to it anyway?”
These moments come from frustration, sure. But they also reflect a fixed mindset—a belief that the barriers are insurmountable and that it’s the kids, not the systems, that need fixing. The reality is, much of this friction isn’t necessary. It’s adult-created chaos, and it’s absolutely solvable.
Fixing the Adult Problems
Here’s the thing: kids don’t need us to make excuses for them. They need us to believe in their potential and do the work to unlock it. That starts with fixing the systems, processes, and mindsets that get in the way.
1. Streamline Communication
Confusion breeds frustration. Simplify how and where important information is shared, so teachers can spend less time chasing emails and more time connecting with students.
Actionable Tip: Use a single, consistent platform for school-wide communication and make sure training is provided for staff.
2. Challenge Fixed Mindsets
“They can’t do it” isn’t an answer—it’s an obstacle. Encourage a growth mindset in both staff and students, focusing on what’s possible instead of what’s hard.
Actionable Tip: Build reflection time into staff meetings to challenge assumptions about what students can achieve and discuss strategies to support their success.
3. Focus on Fewer, Better Initiatives
Stop throwing spaghetti at the wall. Prioritize what truly matters and implement it with care and consistency.
Actionable Tip: Conduct a “stop doing” exercise with your team—decide what can be eliminated or put on pause to focus on higher-impact work.
4. Simplify Processes
Complicated systems waste time and create frustration. Streamline workflows to remove barriers for teachers and staff.
Actionable Tip: Identify one overly complicated process in your school and workshop ways to make it faster and easier.
5. Protect Time for What Matters
Teachers need time to teach, not to wade through administrative muck. Protect their time so they can focus on instruction and student relationships.
Actionable Tip: Audit your meeting schedule and eliminate or streamline anything that doesn’t directly support teaching and learning.
Why It Matters
When we let go of fixed mindsets, streamline our systems, and focus on what’s possible, the results are transformative. Teachers feel supported and empowered. Leaders gain clarity and focus. And students finally get what they deserve: adults who believe in them and are willing to do the work to help them succeed.
Education problems aren’t rooted in kids—they’re rooted in the ways we, as adults, sometimes limit what’s possible. But the good news? Adult problems have adult solutions.
Let’s Get Out of Our Own Way
At the end of the day, education isn’t about the adults. It’s about the kids. But to truly center students in everything we do, we need to first get out of our own way—whether that means fixing broken systems, eliminating unnecessary friction, or challenging the fixed mindsets that hold us back.
Kids can learn. Kids want to learn. Our job is to believe it, act on it, and make it easier for everyone to focus on what matters most. Because when we stop tripping over ourselves, we’re unstoppable. And so are our students.