Education stands as one of the most critical pillars within communities, yet it continues to face significant challenges that delay its growth and effectiveness. To make meaningful advancements, it is essential to address the gaps and barriers within the education system that impact students, districts and families.
Advancing education requires the introduction of innovative ideas that promote equal, accessible and supportive learning grounds for every learner. This improvement is aimed towards the quality provision of education: every student who receives it possesses the necessary assets, opportunities and support to enhance their success possibilities.
By considering systemic issues with collaboration, some significant progress towards shaping the bright future of the education sector should be made forward, creating pathways for a brighter and more inclusive future.
As the Founder & Executive Director, Mike Ross at Future Forward Education is dedicated to reshaping the educational experience for students and their families. His approach centers on a comprehensive, whole-family model, understanding that real progress in education begins with strengthening the support systems around the student. He creates innovative solutions to bridge access gaps to resources while building meaningful partnerships that help uplift students and their communities.
He uses his problem-solving skills and assesses difficulties from all possible perspectives to ensure that every decision is based on bringing long-term impact and sustainability. Mike’s vision: empower every student to unlock their full potential, giving them tools and guides that would help them become future leaders in an advancing world to drive positive change in it. With constant monitoring of the progress of the students and continuous improvement, Mike strives to make this vision a reality for every student that he serves.
Exploring the Impact of Community on Educational Access
Mike’s interest in design and technology has remained steadfast over the years, but a growing passion for education emerged after his move from the East Coast to the West Coast. He relocated to Los Angeles from New England around 2010 and spent the first few years immersed in school while also exploring iconic Los Angeles landmarks such as the Santa Monica Pier and the Hollywood Strip. As Mike became more familiar with the city, he noticed communities that faced significant challenges, including adversity, poverty, crime and other hardships.
This contrast between his new surroundings and upbringing prompted Mike to reflect deeply on his experiences. Growing up in the countryside on the East Coast, he had access to ample resources. Living in a small town with a low population, his school provided everything he needed academically. At the time, he hadn’t fully appreciated these privileges, but as he observed life in Los Angeles, he realized how vastly different the reality was for many students who lacked the resources he had taken for granted.
As Mike continued to witness these disparities, he became increasingly aware of the underserved populations that were not afforded the same educational opportunities he had experienced. He couldn’t fully process this new information at first, but the more he reflected, the more he understood that the issue wasn’t just academic—it was a broader issue of resource distribution. For him, education was a crucial channel through which resources could be accessed and he felt compelled to contribute to positive change.
To gain a better understanding of how he could help, Mike began volunteering at local nonprofits that specialized in after-school programs. He dedicated several years to this cause, but as a volunteer, he felt limited in his ability to create a lasting impact. His frustration grew as he realized that, although he wanted to make a difference for the youth in underserved communities, his capacity to do so in a volunteer role was restricted.
Mike recognized that to make meaningful changes and address the needs he had witnessed, he would need to be more vocal and take a more proactive role in generating solutions. It was then that he experienced an epiphany: he needed to build his vehicle for driving change. This realization marked the beginning of his transition into the education sector, where he would ultimately work to create the solutions he envisioned for the communities in need.
The Importance of Adaptability in Business Strategy
As the primary decision-maker, Mike has been the driving force behind the organization since its inception, carrying significant responsibility. In the early stages, he lacked a network in the education or nonprofit sectors, so his focus was on conducting in-depth research and analysis to build and grow the business.
Although this research remains ongoing, Mike’s role has expanded to include overseeing operational tasks like legal filings, accounting, marketing and school engagement. As these functions developed, he learned to delegate responsibilities such as additional research and partnership scouting to others within the organization.
He also plays a key role in communicating the constantly progressing nature of the education industry. He recognizes the importance of staying responsive to the changing needs of the system, ensuring the organization continues to generate relevant and effective solutions. By reinforcing adaptability through words and actions, he ensures the organization maintains focus and a sustainable business plan for long-term success.
The Power of Mutual Understanding in Team Dynamics
Mike values independence and prefers to plan and prototype new ideas on his own before involving others, believing this helps him better articulate his vision. Once it’s time to collaborate, he emphasizes teamwork and ensures everyone understands they’re working toward a shared goal.
As a leader, he takes responsibility for communicating this goal clearly, rather than just assigning tasks. He believes building a positive team dynamic requires a mutual understanding of the mission.
Over time, Mike has embraced a “horizontal hierarchy of order” where everyone collaborates on equal footing, in contrast to a vertical structure. This approach develops shared purpose and enhances team effectiveness, ensuring responsibilities are clear while promoting a collaborative environment.
Integrating Data Collection in Educational Platforms
Mike feels fortunate to have a background that allows him to push innovative solutions into the education space. With expertise in designing, developing and engineering applications, he creates learning-based tools like curricula, math apps and digital survey interfaces for administrators, students and families.
His background in UI/UX, graphic design and print enhances his ability to craft marketing and branding materials across various platforms, from websites to printed assets. When existing platforms for storing data or managing contacts didn’t meet his requirements, he developed custom solutions, maintaining full control and flexibility over design and functionality to better serve the organization’s unique requirements.
Conducting Effective Research on Schools
Mike recognizes the complexity of the education sector, particularly within the public sector, which is the primary focus of his organization. In a large district like Los Angeles, navigating the system can be challenging. Early on, he realized that extensive research on the schools they engaged with was essential to build mutual understanding and improve communication.
He noticed that conversations often lost momentum once they ended, creating a need for continuous engagement. To address this, Mike’s team identified key entry points, like Parent Centers, to connect with key stakeholders. Additionally, the organization is working on securing Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) to promote closer relationships with schools, ensuring more direct access to classrooms and to further address educational needs and challenges.
Building Stronger Communities through Family Learning
Mike aims to redefine the whole family approach by emphasizing community. He believes everyone, whether in the street, park, or school, is part of the same shared community and working together for the common good unites individuals as one extended family.
For youth, he sees the academic journey as a collective experience that should extend beyond the classroom, involving the entire family. He envisions scalable products and services that benefit students and their families, strengthening the community as they learn and grow together.
Balancing Professional and Personal Commitments
Over the years, Mike has developed and honed his time management skills, becoming highly disciplined in how he approaches his daily tasks. He keeps detailed task journals where he outlines his objectives for the day, holding himself accountable to complete them. He is proactive in knowing his daily schedules in advance, which allows him to plan personal outings and activities around his professional commitments.
While impromptu events can occasionally disrupt his planned day, rather than canceling scheduled tasks, Mike shifts them to maintain his focus on the work at hand. This flexibility ensures that he continues to meet his responsibilities, even if his schedule changes unexpectedly. As a result, Mike often extends his workdays into evenings, nights and weekends, creating a hybrid schedule that balances his professional and personal obligations.
The Role of Data in Shaping Educational Innovations
Mike is committed to data-driven decision-making, emphasizing the importance of conducting thorough research before introducing any new service or product. He believes in validating the need for offerings through data analysis, staying informed about the growing education sector and regularly conducting market research.
One initiative, the Teacher Empowerment Circle, aims to create a network of educators across various school systems. These educators act as internal messengers, providing insights into classroom practices, particularly around academics and technology.
Mike also prioritizes being present within the educational environment, believing that proximity to the source enables the development of more effective solutions and helps the organization stay innovative and responsive to the changing needs of students, schools and families.
Embracing a Holistic View for Meaningful Change
Mike advises individuals who are passionate about creating change or contributing to a cause to take a step back and “zoom out” when examining the issue at hand. He encourages them to first look at the specific element or problem that captures their attention, prompting questions about why it exists or operates the way it does.
He emphasizes that instead of concentrating solely on that one issue, they should widen their perspective to consider the broader system that underpins it. By studying the system, individuals can better understand the root causes of the problem. He believes that this shift in focus—on the system rather than isolated parts—is essential for driving meaningful and lasting positive changes.
Developing a Privatized Academic Entity
Mike envisions “Future Forward Education” expanding its reach to more schools while building key partnerships with local universities to access resources like staffing and students. Although still in the early stages, he aims to define the initiative within five years, focusing on solutions and logistics for growth.
In the long term, he seeks to evaluate the current education system and reimagine a new, flexible model that supports innovative pedagogical practices, providing greater flexibility than today’s rigidly regulated school systems.
