Episode 172 | Are We Preparing Students for Life After K-12?

What does it actually mean for a student to be “prepared”?

A diploma? Good grades? College acceptance?

In this episode of Our Classroom, Roberto Germán sits down with educator and parent Will Smith, whose work at the college level has given him a different perspective on what happens after students leave K–12 education.

Their conversation began months ago with a discussion about phonics and foundational reading skills. But it quickly grew into a much bigger question: Are schools and families preparing young people to become increasingly independent, or simply helping them make it to the next milestone?

Together, Roberto and Will explore:

• What Will is noticing about students now that he works at the college level
• The difference between being academically successful and being prepared for independence
• How foundational learning gaps can follow students for years
• What schools should reasonably expect from families, and vice versa
• Why family engagement shouldn't require parents to become teachers
• The difference between supporting young people and rescuing them
• Self-advocacy, problem-solving, responsibility, and learning how to struggle
• What K–12 educators can learn by looking at students on the other side of graduation

Ultimately, this conversation asks educators and families to work backward from the adults we hope children will become.

What are we preparing students to be able to do when we're no longer standing beside them?

Teach in Truth.
Lead with Courage.
Belong to a Community That Gets It.