“Stay involved in your children’s education. Talk to them, listen to them, and advocate for them—because no one will fight harder for their future than you.”
– Bryan Wetzel
In today’s rapidly shifting educational landscape, parents, teachers, and policymakers are grappling with how to prepare students for a future filled with both opportunity and uncertainty. Yet, amidst the noise, one voice rises with clarity and common sense: Bryan Wetzel. With a career spanning entrepreneurship, media, and advocacy, Bryan has turned his attention toward the urgent need for educational reform. His latest book, The Real Problems Destroying Education, tackles these challenges head-on, offering real-world solutions that prioritize students, empower teachers, and reestablish parental involvement.
In this powerful conversation, Bryan dives into actionable ideas to revamp the education system—from trimming bloated curriculums to teaching critical life skills like digital literacy and financial management. With personal anecdotes, sharp insights, and a passion for real change, Bryan challenges the status quo and offers a hopeful path forward for American education. His message is clear: common sense, accountability, and collaboration are the keys to building a better future for our children.
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 for having me, Stacey! My journey has been quite an adventure. I started by launching a production company that contributed to the 1996 Olympics, which was an amazing experience early in my career. From there, I built several startups like Scoobs, and even owned a gym and a restaurant along the way. I’ve always loved innovation, storytelling, and the challenge of building something from the ground up. More recently, I found myself drawn to writing. I realized I had so much knowledge and experience to share, especially about some of the deeper problems I was seeing in education—and that’s where my latest work really began.
Can you tell us about the new book you recently published?
Absolutely. It’s titled A Path to Faith Through Science and Common Sense. I wrote it from the perspective of someone who’s naturally skeptical and needs logical, evidence-based reasons to believe in something greater. Through personal stories and interviews with top scientists from places like Harvard and Oxford, I show readers that faith and science aren’t opposing forces—they actually complement each other. I wanted the book to feel like a bridge, where belief feels rational, not forced, and where people can come to their own realizations about the world around them.
What inspired you to turn your focus to education reform?
Over the years, working in so many industries and speaking to countless teachers and administrators, I kept seeing the same patterns of dysfunction and frustration. I realized that a lot of these problems weren’t isolated—they were systemic. I wanted to break the silence around them and put forward real-world, common-sense solutions that could make a tangible difference for students, teachers, and parents.
What is one immediate change you believe could drastically improve education?
We need to trim the curriculum, no question. Right now, teachers are overwhelmed with non-academic material—social issues, political topics—that frankly don’t belong in a math or reading classroom. Kids need to focus on mastering foundational skills like reading, writing, math, and science. Let’s let families handle the moral and social conversations at home, where they belong. Teachers want to teach, and we need to let them do just that.
What important subjects do you think should be added to school curriculums?
Today’s students desperately need real-world survival skills. We should be teaching digital safety, recognizing phishing scams, understanding the dangers of oversharing online, basic financial literacy—things that help them navigate adult life successfully. The world has changed, and our curriculum should reflect that reality.
Why is digital safety education so vital in today’s world?
Because the online world is their world now. Kids are being targeted by scams, fake links, identity theft—you name it. And without the right tools and awareness, they’re sitting ducks. Schools have a responsibility to equip students not just with academics, but with the skills to protect themselves in a digital landscape that’s evolving every day.
Can you explain the issue you see with typing skills in schools?
It’s one of those ironic gaps. We eliminated typing classes because we assumed kids would just figure it out on their own. But now, we’re asking third graders to type full essays under timed conditions for standardized tests—and they can’t type! It’s a basic skill we need to reintroduce, especially when the stakes are so high.
You’ve suggested a teacher-led board of directors. How would that impact schools?
It would be transformative. Right now, teachers are handed mandates with little to no input, even though they’re the ones implementing these policies. A teacher-led board would give them a voice—and actual voting power—in major decisions. It would foster collaboration instead of resentment and make teachers feel respected and heard. Happy teachers lead to thriving students.
What are your thoughts on the controversy surrounding school library content?
Honestly, some of the material being found in elementary school libraries is shocking. Graphic sexual content has no place there. It’s not about banning books; it’s about age-appropriate content. We need a parent approval process where families can vote on what belongs in school libraries. That’s just common sense.
Can you elaborate on the Parents’ Defense Act you propose?
The Parents’ Defense Act would lay out, very clearly, what rights parents have in their child’s education. It would make sure parents are always informed about major issues—like social transitions, bullying, academic struggles—anything significant happening with their kids at school. It’s about transparency, respect, and protecting the bond between parents and their children.
What are some short-term solutions we could implement to help schools immediately?
School choice is a big one. Every parent should have the ability to move their child to a better-performing or safer school. No one wants to move their child unless they feel they absolutely have to—but they should have that right. Also, giving teachers back their professional autonomy would make a massive difference almost overnight.
Why is school choice so important?
Because it creates real accountability. If a school isn’t doing right by its students, families need the power to leave. Competition forces improvement. And let’s be honest—parents don’t uproot their kids lightly. It’s a tough decision, and they only do it when it’s truly necessary.
How would teacher autonomy improve the education system?
Teachers know their students better than anyone. When we give them the flexibility to adapt their teaching to fit their classroom, students flourish. There’s no universal blueprint for education. Trusting teachers to do what works best fosters creativity, engagement, and far better learning outcomes.
What could be done to better support teachers with resources?
It’s ridiculous that teachers are expected to buy their own supplies or create their own lesson materials. Districts should be providing these tools. Giving teachers access to textbooks, worksheets, and visual aids—without forcing them to spend out of pocket—would boost morale and free them up to focus on what matters most: teaching.
What are your thoughts on the lack of accountability in school district leadership?
It’s one of the biggest flaws in the system. In any other profession, consistent failure would result in leadership changes. Yet in education, failing districts often reward leaders with raises. There needs to be accountability. If academic scores are falling year after year, leadership should change, plain and simple.
You’ve talked about school lunches affecting learning. Can you explain?
Absolutely. The meals we’re feeding kids are packed with sugar and carbs, leading to energy spikes and crashes that make it harder for them to learn. Nutrition directly impacts brain function and focus. If we’re serious about academic success, we need to fix what we’re serving in school cafeterias.
What long-term changes do you hope to see in education?
I want to see a system that genuinely prioritizes students’ futures—where academic excellence is front and center, where teachers are trusted and valued, and where parents are active partners, not sidelined. It’s ambitious, but it’s absolutely achievable if enough of us demand it.
Why is staying engaged in your child’s education so crucial?
Because kids don’t always volunteer information. If you’re not asking questions, having conversations, and being involved, you may miss critical signs that something is wrong. Sit down with your kids, have dinner together without screens, and talk about their day. It makes a bigger difference than most people realize.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
You can visit my website at www.bryanthomaswetzel.com. My books are available there, and you can also find them on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple Books. Plus, we have a free library of educational videos you can check out through our Scoobs channel on YouTube and @SkubesEd on X (Twitter). There’s a ton of valuable resources for parents, students, and teachers.
Thank you so much for sharing your insights and solutions with us today. It’s been an eye-opening conversation, and I know our readers will appreciate all the valuable advice you’ve offered.
Thank you, Stacey. I truly appreciate the opportunity to speak with you and your audience. It’s conversations like these that keep important issues alive and moving forward. I’m grateful for the platform to share these ideas.
We’re grateful to have had you here. I can’t wait to see the positive impact your work continues to make. Thank you again for being with us today.
Thank you! It’s been a real pleasure. I’m looking forward to seeing some real change—and hopefully, conversations like this will inspire it.
