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Acknowledging Hands-On Learning
Traditionaleducationmethodsoftenfollowarigidstructure,whichcan
posechallengesformanylearners.Suchwasthecaseforastudentwho founditdifficulttothriveinconventionalclassrooms.Thestruggleto retaininformationinstandardlecturesledtoasenseoffrustration.However, everythingchangedwhenthestudentdiscoveredthebenefitsofhands-on, interactivelearning.Thisversatileapproachignitedagenuinepassionfor subjectslikedesignandtechnology
Withasupportivefamilybyhisside,thestudentdedicatedcountlesshoursto exploringvariouscreativetoolsandtechniques.Thisexplorationsoonbecamea sourceofsolaceandfocus,allowingfordeeperengagementwiththematerial. Incontrasttoamorepassivelearningenvironment,theactiveparticipationin projectsfosterednotonlyskilldevelopmentbutalsoauniquesenseof fulfillment.
Despitefacingchallengesinsocialinteractions,thestudent'scommitmentto self-drivenprojectsandparticipationincollegecoursesdemonstrateda remarkableworkethic.Throughperseveranceanddetermination,arobustskill setemerged,highlightingtheimportanceofpersonalizedlearningexperiences.
Thisjourneyhighlightsthesignificanceofadaptingeducationalapproachesto fitindividualneeds.Byprioritizinginteractivelearning,studentscanunlock theirpotentialanddiscovertheirtruepassions.Suchexperiencesnotonly enhanceacademicachievementsbutalsocontributetopersonalgrowth, ultimatelyshapingafulfillingandproductivepathforward.Thisstoryservesas atestamenttothepowerofhands-oneducationintransforminglives.
ThelatesteditionofInsightsSuccess,titled"TheMostImpactfuland VisionaryPersonalitytoLookforin2025,"shinesaspotlightonMikeRoss, whospenthisformativeyearsontheEastCoastinNewEngland.Hishigh schoolexperienceataCenterforTechnology,wherehands-onlearning intersectedwithart,design,andtechnology,playedapivotalroleinshapinghis interests.Thisenrichingenvironmentnotonlyhelpedhimnavigatethe challengesofautismandlearningdifficultiesbutalsofacilitatedthediscovery ofapotentialhehadyettorecognize.
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FEATURING
Mike Ross
An Award-Winning Leadership for Excellence in Future Forward Education and Business
Future Trends in Education Highlighting Mental Health and Well-Being
22.
Transforming Learning with AI and Personalized Education Strategies
ROSS MIKE
An Award-Winning Leadership for Excellence in Future Forward Education and Business
When I was a child going through school, I dealt with mental and emotional challenges such as being autistic and having learning difficulties
MIKE ROSS
Mike Ross
Los Angeles County Featuring
Howthemostimpactfulandvisionarylegendslike
MikeRossaremade?Theanswerliesintheir fascinatingjourney,which,whenwritteninthe goldeninkinthehistorybooks,turnsintoanawe-inspiring sagaforgenerationstocome.
Awardedtodaywith‘ExcellenceinEducation,Future ForwardEducation(2025)’forhissignificantcontribution toeducationandlearning,MikegrewupontheEastCoast inNewEngland,spendinghischildhoodandearly educationalyearsthere.Inhighschool,heattendeda CenterforTechnology,wherehands-onlearningand exposuretoart,design,andtechnologydeeplyinfluenced hisinterests.Thisformativeexperiencehelpedhim overcomechallengesassociatedwithautismandlearning difficulties,enablinghimtodiscoverapotentialhehadn’t previouslyrealized.
Traditional"bythebook"educationwasnotidealforMike, ashestruggledtoretaininformationinconventional settings.However,hands-on,interactivelearningsparked hispassionandengagement,particularlyindesignand technology.Supportedbyhisfamily,Mikespentcountless hoursexploringcreativetoolsanddevelopinghiscraft, whichbecamehissolaceandfocus.Despitehislimited socialinteractions,hecultivatedhistalentsthroughselfdrivenprojectsandcollegeclasses.
AsMike’sportfoliogrew,sodidhisdesiretoconnectwith abroadercreativecommunity.Feelingconstrainedbyhis ruralsurroundings,hedecidedtomovewesttoCaliforniain 2010topursueopportunitiesinthecreativeindustry.He enrolledincollegeinLosAngeles,determinedtofurtherhis educationandprofessionaldevelopment.
SincesettlingontheWestCoast,Mikehasdedicated himselftohiscraft,blendingworkandpassion.Hehas beenemployedwithLosAngelesCountysince2012while simultaneouslypursuingexternalprojectsaimedatsocietal benefit.Theseendeavorsincludedevelopingyouth-focused learningapplications,establishinganonprofitorganization foreducation,initiatingplansforasocialenterprise,and continuallyenhancinghisonlineportfolio.
Mike’sjourneyfromNewEnglandtoCaliforniareflectshis unwaveringdeterminationtotransformpersonalchallenges intoopportunitiesforgrowth.Hisstoryunderscoresthe powerofhands-onlearningandasupportiveenvironment inunlockingpotential,pavingthewayforafulfillingcareer inthecreativeindustry
Leadership is not a one-sizefits-all practice You want your team to be allies, not enemies and you want them to feel the same about you.
DiscoveringProfessionalAspirations
AlsoaLeanSixSigma(LSS)GreenBeltProject Awardee(LosAngelesCountyRegistrarRecorder/CountyClerk)(2019)andearnedaLeanSix Sigma(LSS)YellowBeltCertificate(LosAngeles CountyRegistrar-Recorder/CountyClerk)(2016), for the completion of a Los Angeles County-based IT project that would improve processes and functions for the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk and its associates,Mike discoveredhiscareeraspirationsearly,whilestillinhigh school.Initiallydrawntodesign,includinggraphicand printwork,illustrations,3Dmodeling,andanimations,he laterdevelopedaninterestinfunctionality.Combining thesepassions,hebegancreatingprojectsthatmerged visualdesignwithpracticalapplication,experimentingwith programming,applicationdevelopment,andwebdesign.
AftermovingtotheWestCoastandbeginningcollege, Mikeenteredtheworkforcein2012,joiningLosAngeles County’selectionsheadquarters(RegistrarRecorder/CountyClerk).Hisprofessionaljourneyfueled hispassionforblendingdesignandtechnology,inspiring himtoestablisha"creativesolutions"business.This ventureallowedhimtoofferdiverseservices,suchas illustrations,webapplications,nativemobileapps,andSEO optimization,buildingarobustportfoliooverseveralyears.
AsMike’sfocusshiftedtowardssocialimpact,he redirectedhisskillsandcreativitytowardmeaningful causes.Hefoundedayouthandeducation-focused
nonprofitaimingtoimprovelearningexperiences, particularlyforunderservedcommunities.Drawingfrom hisownupbringinginNewEngland,wherehehadaccess toampleresourcesandopportunities,Mikerecognizedthe starkcontrastinchallengesfacedbystudentsin disadvantagedareas.
LivinginCaliforniaheightenedhisawarenessofsocietal issuessuchaspoverty,crime,andhomelessness,motivating himtoact.Hisnonprofitendeavorsincludedeveloping learningapplications,digitalsurveys,andcurriculato createbetteropportunitiesforstudents.Byapplyinghis expertisetoprojectsthataddressthesechallenges,Mike strivestoempoweryouthandfosterabrighterfuture.
LearningLeadershipLessons
AnEmergingLeadersAwardee(LosAngelesCounty Registrar-Recorder/CountyClerk)(2019),forthe completionofa6-monthprogramdesignedtodevelop mentorandmenteerelationshipsinwhichtheawardee fulfillsleadershiplessonsandassignmentsand communicatesprogresswiththeirmentor,Mikehashoned histimemanagementskillsovertheyears,adoptinga disciplinedapproachtodailyplanning.Hemaintainstask journalstooutlineobjectivesandrigorouslyensurestheir completion.Byplanningschedulesinadvance,Mike seamlesslyintegratesprofessionalandpersonalactivities. Whenunexpectedeventsarise,hereschedulestasksrather
My advice to anyone would be to engage with any activity that helps you hone in on being able to master the skill of communicating to an audience.
thanomittingthem,oftenextendingworkintoevenings, nights,andweekendstoaccommodatehisdynamic commitments.
Drivenbyadesiretopushideas,products,andsolutions forward,Mike’sapproachtobusinessemphasizescreating impactful,scalableoutcomes.Earlyinhiscareer,he undertookfreelanceandone-offprojectsbutsoonrealized thelimitationsofgigwork.Todevelopastronger"voice" andensurescalability,hetransitionedtobuildingstructured businessmodelssupportedbybrandingandmarketing.
Mikebelievesbusinessmodelsaddweightandcredibility tohiswork,allowinghimtodelivercohesivesolutions. Insteadofcreatingisolated"floating"projects,hetiesa seriesofproductsunderaunifiedbrand,enhancingtheir visibilityandlong-termvalue.Thisstrategicshiftenables himtoprovideclientswithinterconnectedsolutionswhile maintainingaconsistentidentity
Akeyadvantageofoperatingwithinabusinessframework istheabilitytotrackprogressandalignalleffortswitha clearmissionstatement.Thismissionactsasaguiding principle,ensuringthateveryproductandservice contributestoaunifiedpurpose.ForMike,thisalignment fostersconsistency,enhancescredibility,andreinforceshis passionforcreatingmeaningful,mission-drivenwork.
Furthermore,Mikeisthewinnerof
• BestofQuarter,TheArtInstituteofLosAngelesCA(2011)Awardsignifyingthe"best"DigitalIdentity Designproject,IntermediateAuthoringproject,and
IntermediateWebDesignprojectcompletedforthe quarterintheareaofWebDesign&InteractiveMedia.
• BestofQuarter,TheArtInstituteofLosAngelesCA(2010)Awardsignifyingthe"best"Digital Illustrationprojectcompletedforthequarterinthearea ofGraphicDesign.
APassionateProfessional
Ardentlypassionatesincehischildhood,Mikedraws inspirationfromhisfamily,friends,andmentors,whohave consistentlysupportedhispursuitsandencouragedhimto embracenewgoals.Hevaluesmentorshipasaguidingtool tonavigateunfamiliarchallenges.Inspiredbyindividuals whoremainfocuseddespiteadversity,Mikeembodiesa growthmindset,strivingtoovercomeobstaclesandpush boundariesdaily.Hisultimateambitionistocreatesocially impactfulbusinessesthatdeliversolutionsbenefiting communities.
GrowingupontheEastCoast,Mike’schildhoodwas shapedbyasereneandresource-richenvironment.Living inasmall,adversity-freepopulationprovidedhimwitha solidfoundationforeducationandpersonaldevelopment. However,hismovetotheWestCoastproved transformative.InitiallycaptivatedbyiconicLosAngeles landmarksliketheSantaMonicaPierandHollywood Boulevard,hesoonencounteredtheharsherrealitiesof urbanlife,includingpoverty,crime,andhomelessness.
ThisstarkcontrastopenedMike’seyestoaworld previouslyunseen.Theexperienceclearedhis‘foggy’ perspectiveandinstilledaprofoundawarenessofsocietal struggles.Thisnewfoundclarityfueledhisdesiretochannel hiscreativeskillstowardmeaningfulchange.Witnessing thesechallengesdeepenedhiscommitmenttoleveraging hisexpertiseforcommunityupliftment,eventhroughsmall butimpactfulsteps.
Today,Mike’sworkreflectshispassionforaddressing socialissuesthroughinnovativesolutions.Hisjourneyfrom ashelteredupbringingtoembracingthecomplexitiesof urbanlifehasprofoundlyshapedhismissiontocreatea lastingpositiveimpact.
ATestedTitan
TheCOVID-19pandemicsignificantlyimpactedMike’s professionaljourney,promptingashifttowarddigital solutions.Hisnonprofit,focusedondeliveringclassroom solutions,hadtoadaptitsprogrammingmodeltosupport bothphysicalanddigitalaccess.Fortunately,early
prototypesolutionsallowedforasmoothpivotwithout disruptingcustomerexpectations.Inthecreativerealmof designandtechnology,muchofMike’sworkwasalready digital,minimizingdisruptions.
ThepandemicalsodeepenedMike’sawarenessofsocietal challengesrelatedtoopportunityandaccess.Thisinsight sparkednewideas,culminatinginbrainstormingsessions forsocialimpact-drivensolutionsinfieldslikehealthcare, education,technology,government,andtheenvironment. Hebelievesbuildingbusinessmodelsaroundtheseideasis crucialfordrivinginnovationanddevelopingasocial enterprise.
Mikecreditshisstrengthstohismindsetratherthan intelligence.Overtheyears,hehascultivatedagrowth mindset,enablinghimtofocusonlong-termgoalsandview projectsfromabroadperspective.Thisabstractthinking oftenleadstoinnovativesolutions.Tostayorganizedand accountable,heusesdailynotepadstotrackgoals, providingvisualcuesforprogressandtaskcompletion.
WhileMikeexcelsinconceptualizationandplanning,he acknowledgeschallengesinlarge-scalecommunication.
Develop a growth mindset and never lose sight of the big picture, especially if you have larger goals and visions
Hisautismandindependentnaturehavecontributedto difficultiesinaddressinglargeraudiences.However,heis activelyworkingonimprovingthisskill,recognizingits importanceformarketinghisideas.Headvisesothersto practicepublicspeakingthroughworkshops,Toastmasters, orrehearsingelevatorpitchestobuildconfidenceand mastery
ThepandemicultimatelyreinforcedMike’sdrivetocreate sociallyimpactfulsolutionsandenhancedhisabilityto adaptandinnovate.Hisfocusremainsonleveraginghis strengthswhileaddressingweaknessestoachieve meaningful,community-focusedoutcomes.
APrincipledWisdom
Mikeemphasizestheimportanceofvisionsandpassionsas aprofessional’sgreatestgifts.Headvisesdocumenting goals,startingwithhigh-leveloutlinesandbreakingthem intoactionablesteps.Developingamissionstatementis crucial,andseekingmentorshipforguidanceinarticulating itcanbeinvaluable.Forlargerambitions,hesuggests buildingateamofstakeholders,volunteers,andinterns, creatingabrandandbusinessaroundthevisiontoattract like-mindedcollaborators.
Mike’sleadershipphilosophyisgroundedinfostering collaborationratherthanhierarchy.Heviewsleadershipas ahorizontalpartnershipwhereallteammemberswork togetherasallies.Bypromotingatwo-wayunderstanding, hestrivestocreateapositive,inclusiveculturethat empowershisteamwhileremainingmission-aligned.
Forprofessionalgrowthandsuccess,Mikeadvocates adoptingagrowthmindsetandmaintainingfocusonthebig picture.Heacknowledgesthefearandpressurethatcome withleadershipbutencouragesviewingthesechallengesas motivators.Breakinggoalsintosmaller,achievablesteps whilekeepinglong-termvisionsinsightcanprovideclarity anddirection.Thisforward-thinkingapproachallowsfor progressevenwhenfacedwithdauntingobstacles.
Mikealsoemphasizesthevalueofperseveranceand reflection.Hebelieveseverychallengeisanopportunityto learnandgrow.Fallingforward,evenduringsetbacks,is partofthejourney.Heencouragesusingexperiencesto empathizewithandupliftothers,fosteringunityinan increasinglydividedworld.Bystayingcommittedto growthandcollaboration,Mikeaimstoinspireashared visionofsuccessandprogress.
EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTING MENTAL HEALTH WELL-BEING EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTING MENTAL HEALTH WELL-BEING
Theintegrationofmentalhealthineducationis
increasinglymoreimportant.Theresearchstates thatnearly50%ofstudentsinhighereducation experiencementalhealthdisorders,andamongthem, almosthalffacethechallengesofdepressionandanxiety. Thesefiguresgiveadirepictureofwhyinstitutionsof educationhavetobecomecatalystsforresilientlearning environmentswithsupportforemotionalwell-being.Here aresometrendswecanlookoutforinthecomingyears.
EmergenceofHolisticEducationTrends
Holisticeducationencouragesallaspectsofmental, emotional,andacademicdevelopment.Itenables educationalinstitutionstounderstandthathavingacaring environmentresultsinbetteracademicperformanceaswell asoverallstudentsatisfaction.EmphasizingSELbecomes thetrendorstandardpracticeofschools.Thestudentslearn self-awareness,empathy,andhowtomanagestress.It's mainlyforthisreasonthatinstitutionsoflearningequipthe studentswiththesetools,ensuringanacademically excellinggenerationwithhighemotionalintelligence.
BesidestheprogramsonSEL,manyinstitutionshavebeen broadeningtheirmentalhealthservices.Thereisarising needfortheopeningofwellnesscentersoncampusforeasy supportforstudentsdealingwithmentalhealth. Counseling,workshopsonstrategies,andmanagementof stressareresourcesthatcanbeaccessedthere.
EmbracingTechnologyforMentalHealthSupport
Astechnologyadvancesfurther,theinclusionofsuchin classroomsimpactsthemodeldeliveryofsupportrequired forthemanagementofpsychologicalstress.Greater emphasisisgiventodigitalportalstargetedtowardsonline counseling,especiallyteletherapyasadeliveryoutletfor servicesrelatedtomentalwell-being.Accordingtoasurvey conducted,researcherssuggestthatforsomeareconcerned aboutdisplayingtheface-to-faceapproachwhiletryingto seekpsychotherapyhelp.
PreventiveMentalHealthStrategies
Thefocusonpreventivemeasuresalsoreflectsavery differentapproachtomentalhealthinschools.Nomore waitingforacrisistounfoldbutproactivebuildingof resiliencewithinstudents.Mindfulnesstraining,workshops onstressreduction,andpeersupportgroupsbecomevery commonprograms.Thisgivesstudentsthepowertoplead theircasefortheirmentalwell-beingthroughhealthy copingmechanisms.
Recently,therehasbeenacalltoactiontowardan empatheticschoolculture.Itiswithinthecreationofasafe environmentwherestudentsarefreetosharetheirfeelings andseekhelpifneededthattheinstitutioncanexert influenceoveroverallmentalhealthoutcomes. Thisculturalchangeencouragesopendiscussionofissues relatedtomentalhealthandsharedresponsibilityamongthe studentsandstaff.
FutureDirections:ACommitmenttoWell-Being
Inthefuture,thiswillsimplymeanaheightenedinvestment inlockinginmentalhealthaspartoftheeducation architecture.Asknowledgeabouttheinterrelationship betweenemotionalwell-beingandoutcomesoflearningin theacademicrealmexpands,theeducationleadershipwill takeonmoreactivitiestowardimplementingcurriculathat notonlyprotectlearningbutalsosafeguardthewell-being ofstudents'minds.Thisincludesongoingeducationtraining forinstructorswhowillbetterunderstandsignsofdistress intheirstudentsandmakeappropriateinterventionplans.
Educationalinstitutionsandmentalhealthorganizations willhelpindevelopingeffectivesupportsystemssuchas these.Together,theycancomeupwithwholesome programsthatwillservethevariedneedsofthestudents andtheirculturalwell-being.
,, ,,
Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.
- Epictetus
LEARNING AI
Transformationofeducationhasbecomeaneedthat isnowoftheessenceinthisfastworld.Traditional teachingmethodsaremostlyunabletoprovidefor thevarietyoflearningstylesandpacesofdifferentstudents. Thisisthegapthroughwhichnew,innovativesolutionsare beingfound,especiallyinartificialintelligence.Usingthe powerofAI,learninginstitutionscanpersonalizethe learningexperienceforeveryindividualstudent,meeting theirneeds,preferences,andcapabilities.Thisyieldsbetter academicoutcomesandamoreengagingandmeaningful learningexperience.
AIRoleinPersonalizedLearning
AIdeeplyinfluenceseducation,primarilythroughadaptive learning.Thismethodologyinvolvestheprovisionof learningmaterialsthataredeterminedbythestudent's performanceandengagementlevels.Accordingtothelatest statistics,theschoolsthatareusingpersonalizedlearning methodshaveanimpressive23%increaseinstudent performanceabovetraditionalmethods.Suchdatamakes theAI-drivenadaptivelearningsystemsmosteffective;it changesthecomplexityandspeedoflessonsinreal-time.
AnotherenormousadvantageAIbringstoeducationisits capabilitytodofocusedinterventions.Continuously trackingandanalyzingbehavioraldataonstudents' progress,thesystemcanlocateaprecisepointwherethe studentgoeswrong.Educatorsthenarewellpositionedto
makesuchinterventionsintheformofanadded exercisepracticeorevenasessionofone-to-one tutoring.InAI-poweredadaptivelearning,tests haveregistered62%higherscoresinsome students.Itisnotonlyacatch-upattempt butalsobuildingupthegeneralconfidence andmotivationofthestudents.
However,AImakesthecontent deliverydynamic.Thus,thelearning contentmaybevideointeractive simulationsortext-basedresources. Theabilitytochangemakesitan opportunitytotargetalltypesof learnersandkeepthemgluedtoit sincelearningisnowmore engagingandinteresting.Italso suggestsmorerelevantresources foreachstudentaccordingtotheir interest.
PredictiveAnalyticsforFuture Success
TheotherimportantrolethatAI's predictiveanalyticsplaysisin predictingfutureacademic challenges.AIcanforecastpotential problemareasforstudentsbasedon historicalperformancedataand engagementmetricsbeforetheproblems arise.
TheintegrationofAIinlearningenablesastudentcentricenvironment.WhileAIundertakestheanalytics workandsuppliesspecificcontentaccordingto individualizedlearningneeds,theeducatorwouldbeable tohavemorequalitytimetolistenandunderstandthe emotionalandsocialissuesofhis/herstudents.Notonly willstudentsbecomebetteracademicsbutalsolearnas well-roundedpeople.
Besideshelpingstudentsmoveaheadacademically,this modelofpersonalizedlearninginstillslife-longlearning instinctsinthemindsofstudents.Indeed,whenthe educatorcomesforwardembracingmoderntechnologies, whatisbeinginstilledinsuchachildwhowilllearnwithin suchanunendinglytransformationalworld?Thejourney mayhavejustbegunwithpersonalizedlearning,butsohas theoutcomepromisedtostandforagesofchange.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
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