“If we truly want to fix education, we need to stop making top-down decisions from Washington and start listening to the teachers who are in the trenches every single day.”
— Bryan Wetzel
In today’s complex and often divisive education landscape, one voice has emerged with clarity, conviction, and a deep understanding of what’s truly happening inside America’s classrooms. Bryan Wetzel, author of The Real Problems Destroying Education, has dedicated years to studying the inner workings of the school system by working directly with thousands of teachers, administrators, and parents. Drawing from firsthand experience and extensive research, Wetzel isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo or question longstanding institutions like the Department of Education. His mission is simple yet urgent: to expose the systemic failures hindering student success and to offer practical, grounded solutions that empower local communities.
In this powerful interview, Wetzel sits down with Stacey Chillemi to discuss hot-button issues like school funding, federal overreach, student behavior, and the growing gap between policy makers and educators. With a no-nonsense, common-sense approach, he outlines why local control, parental involvement, and smarter budgeting are key to rebuilding an educational system that actually works. Wetzel’s passion for reform is matched only by his dedication to our children’s future — making this conversation a must-read for anyone invested in meaningful change.
Thank you so much for joining us, Bryan! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your backstory?
Thanks so much for having me. My path into education reform started when I helped launch a company that created educational resources. Over time, I had the chance to speak with over a thousand teachers, give presentations, and work closely with principals and district administrators. Through those conversations, I noticed a lot of inconsistencies and frustrations — decisions being made that didn’t make sense to the people actually in the classroom. Instead of clarity, I found more confusion. That disconnect really pushed me to write The Real Problems Destroying Education. I wanted to shed light on what’s really happening in our school systems and offer real solutions.
Your book is titled The Real Problems Destroying Education. What inspired you to write it?
The turning point for me was realizing how many excellent teachers were walking away from the profession. Not because they didn’t love teaching, but because of how difficult and confusing it had become due to poor decision-making from the top. I kept hearing the same frustrations. These weren’t isolated incidents — it was systemic. I started writing notes and collecting stories. Eventually, it became clear I needed to put this into a book to help people understand what’s going wrong and how we can fix it.
Let’s talk about a hot topic — the push to shut down the Department of Education. Where do you stand on that?
I believe the Department of Education, as it exists today, should either be significantly reduced or shut down altogether. It wasn’t always around, and our education system functioned just fine without it for a long time. The problem is, every time a new administration takes office, we see dramatic swings in education policy — from Betsy DeVos under Trump to a hard swing back under Biden. It creates instability and confusion at the state and local levels. That’s no way to run a school system. States know their people best and should be trusted to govern their own schools.
What would happen if the Department of Education were shut down?
If the Department of Education closed, states would simply stop sending their tax dollars to the federal government. They’d keep those funds and use them for their own education systems. Larger states like Texas and California — whose funds are often redistributed to smaller states — would have more control and resources. It’s not about getting rid of education; it’s about decentralizing it and giving the power back to local and state leaders who understand their communities’ needs.
You touched on the idea that the federal government uses funding to push states toward certain policies. Can you elaborate?
Yes, and this is a huge part of the problem. For example, when Common Core came around, the Department of Education said it wasn’t mandatory — but if you didn’t adopt it, you didn’t get your federal funding. That’s not technically a mandate, but it’s definitely a form of coercion. It’s this kind of top-down pressure that’s alienating parents and educators who feel like they have no voice in what’s being taught in their schools.
How do unions factor into this conversation?
Unions often benefit from the current structure because they’re heavily involved in lobbying. They don’t want to see the Department of Education go away because it’s a direct line of influence for them. But again, the question is: who’s really benefiting here? The unions or the students and teachers? I think we’ve lost sight of who the system is supposed to serve.
You also advocate for a better use of school funds. What’s an example of a good investment?
Absolutely — take nutrition, for example. We’re feeding our kids foods loaded with sugar and empty carbs, and then we wonder why they can’t focus after lunch. It’s counterproductive. Several states are starting to implement healthier options, thanks in part to the Make America Healthy Again movement. These efforts are backed by real science. If we want better academic results, we have to look at what’s fueling our kids — literally.
Do you think better nutrition really impacts learning?
Without a doubt. There are studies showing that after consuming high-sugar meals, students experience a drop in memory and focus for at least an hour. If we’re serious about education, we need to align cafeteria policies with what we know about brain function. You can’t teach effectively if a student’s brain is crashing from sugar.
You mentioned that your wife is a teacher. What does she think about these issues?
She’s fully on board with a lot of what I talk about. She prefers to keep a low profile, but she and her colleagues have experienced firsthand how disruptive poor policy can be. The things that affect her most are curriculum changes and student behavior issues — not federal decisions, but local implementations. However, she and her peers are very passionate about providing better school lunches and improving student wellness. They know it directly affects classroom performance.
Speaking of behavior, you said earlier that student behavior has worsened. What’s going on?
There’s a visible decline in student behavior, and every veteran teacher will tell you that. Kids are more defiant, less emotionally resilient, and harder to discipline. I’m not necessarily advocating for bringing back corporal punishment, but we’ve swung too far in the other direction. We’re not holding students accountable. There’s an excellent book called The Coddling of the American Mind that talks about this. Kids coming into college can’t take criticism anymore. That starts in elementary and middle school — we’re failing to teach them how to cope.
What role do parents play in reversing that trend?
Parents are absolutely key. I always tell them: don’t wait until there’s a problem. Stay involved from the beginning. Ask to see your child’s work. Talk to teachers. A lot of parents don’t even look at their kid’s folders for an entire school year. That’s a huge missed opportunity. Early intervention is everything — especially with learning challenges. It’s far easier to address those issues early on than to fix them later.
What would you say to parents who feel their child is being unfairly targeted by teachers?
I get this all the time, and I always say — take a closer look. Teachers don’t have time or incentive to pick on students. In fact, the paperwork involved in discipline is a nightmare. If a teacher is reaching out, something’s going on. Instead of jumping to your child’s defense, start by asking questions. You might uncover a behavioral pattern that needs to be addressed. When I was a kid, my parents didn’t automatically believe me when I said, “I didn’t do anything.” They’d ask, “So the teacher is just picking on you?” And of course, I had no answer.
You mentioned your book is very comprehensive. What topics does it cover?
The book is broad by design. I cover everything from funding and curriculum to unions, politicians, homework, and social-emotional learning. I even include chapters on homeschooling, school choice, racism, and real solutions sourced from educators, professors, and my own experience as a business owner. I wanted readers to understand how interconnected these issues are. I didn’t want to break the book into three parts because I felt the story had to be told as one continuous narrative.
Why did you choose to keep it all in one book rather than break it up?
Honestly? Writing a book is hard. Doing three would’ve been exhausting. But more importantly, I wanted readers to go on the full journey — from the systemic problems all the way to the solutions. This is about building a case, chapter by chapter, that shows how everything in education is connected and how it all leads back to decisions being made far from the classroom.
You’ve spoken to many teachers. What’s one thing they all seem to agree on?
That no one is listening to them. Every time a new policy rolls out, teachers know how it’s going to go — and they’re almost always right. That’s because they’re in the trenches every day. They hear the parents, see the behavior, and feel the impact. Yet their input is rarely considered. That’s why I propose teacher advisory boards. Just like CEOs answer to boards, school districts should answer to a panel of experienced educators who actually know what’s going on.
What’s one solution you propose that you think could have a major impact?
Those teacher advisory boards would be a game changer. It makes no sense to roll out top-down decisions without consulting the people who have to implement them. Teachers could tell you before a policy even hits the ground whether it’s going to succeed or flop. That kind of early insight would save schools so much time, money, and frustration.
What’s one myth about education you wish people would stop believing?
That we can fix everything by spending more money. It’s simply not true. Most states already allocate 25% to 30% of their budgets to education. The problem isn’t the amount — it’s how the money is spent. We need smarter budgeting, better oversight, and accountability. Throwing more dollars into a broken system won’t fix it. We need to rebuild the system with intention.
What do you hope readers take away from your book?
I hope they walk away with a deeper understanding of how complex, yet solvable, these issues really are. I want parents, educators, and policymakers to feel empowered — to ask more questions, to get involved, to challenge outdated systems. The book isn’t just about pointing fingers. It’s about creating change from the ground up.
What final message would you like to leave our readers with today?
Stay engaged and involved in your child’s education. Don’t wait for red flags to appear. Be proactive. Know what’s being taught, talk to teachers, and show your kids that school matters. And please — support your teachers. Most of them are doing everything they can with very little support. Lastly, remember that your kids are listening. Even if it doesn’t seem like it now, the lessons you teach at home will echo for years to come.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
You can find my book, The Real Problems Destroying Education, on all major platforms — Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books — and it’s available in print, eBook, and audiobook formats. If you’re a Spotify Premium user, you can listen through Findaway Voices. Also, be sure to check out my show on The Advisor network where I continue these important conversations. Follow me on social media or visit my website for updates and more resources.
Thank you so much, Bryan, for sharing your insights and wisdom with us. This was incredibly eye-opening.
Thank you, Stacey. It’s always a pleasure being here and having the opportunity to share these important ideas. Looking forward to continuing the conversation!
