What if we designed school specifically to help children thrive? What if learning meant feeling and doing as well as thinking? What if school were the ultimate platform encouraging students to embark on the two great human journeys: the journey inside to discover one's gifts, and the journey outside to contribute? Ross Wehner is a writer, teacher, and social entrepreneur who is Founder of World Leadership School, which “partners with K12 schools to reimagine learning and create next-generation leaders.” Ross also
co-founded the nonprofit TeachUNITED, which works to transform learning at rural schools around the world. Ross is guided by the question: how can K12 school become the ultimate platform for launching students into lives of purpose?

Ross began his career by working as a journalist in Chile and Peru
in the 1990s. He received a Master’s in Latin American literature and has worked as both a classroom teacher and a wilderness educator at the National Outdoor Leadership School. He has worked alongside executive coach Richard Leider, author of Power of Purpose, on leadership development programs for Fortune 50 executives around the world. He lives in Boulder, Colorado, with his wife and two children. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx