Turbulence in the Air and Education: A Tale of Two Systems

By Shakiyya Bland, EdD – February 21, 2025

As our plane sat motionless on the tarmac in Charlotte, delayed by unforeseen events, I couldn’t help but draw parallels between our current situation and the state of education in America. Both scenarios highlight the critical importance of clear, consistent, and empathetic communication in times of uncertainty.

The Power of Unified Messaging

Our flight crew demonstrated exemplary communication skills throughout our delay-ridden journey. From the captain’s initial announcements to the flight attendants’ clarifications, every message was delivered with consistency, clarity, and empathy. This unified approach kept passengers informed and calm, even as our departure time kept slipping further away.

Similarly, in education, a unified message is crucial. However, recent political efforts to dismantle educational policies and research have resulted in a cacophony of conflicting information. Just as our flight crew worked together to keep us informed, educators, administrators, and policymakers must present a united front to navigate the turbulent skies of education reform.

Transparency in Uncertain Times

The flight crew’s transparency about the reasons for our delays—from drone activity to VIP movements—was refreshing. They didn’t shy away from sharing information, even when the news wasn’t ideal. This openness fostered trust among passengers and crew alike.

In contrast, the current educational landscape is often shrouded in ambiguity. Elimination of jobs and programs, budget cuts, and the potential complete dismantling of the Department of Education threaten to leave students, especially those from vulnerable populations, in the dark about their educational future. Just as our flight crew kept us updated, education leaders must strive for transparency in policy decisions and their potential impacts.

Empathy: The Human Touch

The most beautiful aspect of our delay was the empathy shown by the flight crew. Their acknowledgment of our shared frustration and their efforts to lighten the mood with humor (“Next time, drinks on me”) created a sense of camaraderie among passengers.

This human touch is sorely needed in education policy discussions, particularly within mathematics education. As debates rage about curriculum changes and instructional approaches, we must remember the human potential at stake. Millions of students, especially those with disabilities, from low-income and underresourced communities, stand to gain or lose critical opportunities depending on how we reshape mathematics education. We must build a community of mathematics education champions—educators, policymakers, industry leaders, and community advocates—who can share consistent messaging about the transformative power of redesigned mathematics courses and pathways. 

These champions should emphasize how modernized curricula, incorporating statistics and data sciences, can expand college access and career development opportunities for all students. By aligning our efforts and communicating a unified vision, we can create a mathematics education system that empowers students to thrive in our data-driven world. We need policymakers and educational leaders who empathize with students and their families and understand the real-world implications of their decisions on future academic and career prospects.

A Call to Action: Charting a New Course

As we finally took off for D.C., I reflected on how our shared goal of arriving safely united us all. Our shared goal in education should be providing quality education for all students, regardless of their background or circumstances.

We find ourselves at a critical juncture, much like that moment on the tarmac when our fate was uncertain. But unlike passive passengers, we have the power to influence our educational trajectory. Here’s how we can take action:

1. Stay informed about proposed educational policies and their potential impacts.
2. Engage with local school boards and elected officials to voice concerns and support for public education.
3. Support educators in providing quality education despite potential resource constraints.
4. Advocate for transparent, empathetic communication across all levels of educational policy-making.

Just as our flight crew’s clear communication fostered civility in a stressful situation, we, too, can cultivate a more civil and productive dialogue about the future of education. By working together, communicating clearly, and focusing on our shared goals, we can ensure that our educational system takes off and lands safely, delivering all students to their full potential.

The journey may be turbulent, but with unity, transparency, and empathy as our guiding principles, we can navigate these challenges and emerge stronger on the other side. The future of our children’s education is too important to leave grounded on the tarmac of indecision and discord. Let’s take flight towards a brighter educational horizon together.