Chief Financial Officer & Chief Administrative Officer, Strategic Education
Search every verified Daniel Jackson interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. In a 2019 TEDxRaleigh talk, Daniel Jackson, then a high school educator and former corporate marketer, discussed his transition from business to teaching and advocated for experiential, hands-on learning. Jackson stated that after the September 11 attacks, he and his wife moved up his plan to leave the corporate world for education, and he has since focused on helping students learn to think and thrive after high school. He cited a 2016 Gallup poll indicating that 96% of universities believed they were preparing graduates for workplace success, while only 11% of employers agreed that graduates had the necessary competencies. Jackson argued that the education system has stifled skills like collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking, and curiosity, which he called "21st century skills." He noted that Career and Technical Education (CTE) students have a national graduation rate of 93%, compared to just over 80% for non-CTE students. Jackson called for partnerships between schools and industry, and for encouraging students to take rigorous courses taught by passionate instructors, concluding that "hands-on learning turns minds on."
“In 2016 Gallup conducted a poll surveying universities and employers; 96% of universities thought they were preparing graduates for workplace success, but only 11% of employers agreed that graduates had the necessary competencies.”
“Worldwide companies spent 130 billion dollars on leadership and organizational development in 2013, highlighting the high cost employers bear to develop skills lacking in new hires.”
“For over 35 years we have lamented the state of the American education system, yet our testing needle has barely moved and employers remain disgruntled about the skills of new hires.”
“The ultimate customer of our education system are employers, yet there is a significant gap between what universities believe they provide and what employers say graduates actually have.”
“Career and Technical Education (CTE) students have a national graduation rate of 93%, significantly higher than the national average of just over 80% for non-CTE students.”
“High schools and universities should partner with industry to develop the skills critical to student growth and the growth of our economy.”
“The educational paradigm I envision inspires children's creativity and imagination; it doesn't stifle it with tests, books, and bells.”
“Experiential entrepreneurship education develops the skills employers need, offers opportunities students are excited about, and delivers results; hands-on learning turns minds on.”
“In 1983, the report 'A Nation at Risk' stated that if an unfriendly power had imposed the mediocre educational performance that exists today, it might be viewed as an act of war.”
“We must encourage children to take rigorous and relevant courses, hire passionate instructors trained to engage students, and partner with industry to develop critical skills.”
Corporate marketer turned high school educator, Daniel Jackson wants you to understand today's students are energized, ...
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