“If we keep prioritizing politics over students and silencing the voices of teachers, we’re not just failing our schools—we’re failing an entire generation.”
— Bryan Wetzel
In today’s rapidly evolving world, few institutions have faced more scrutiny and seismic shifts than the American education system. From nationwide teacher shortages to declining student performance, and from controversial policy decisions to growing concerns over classroom behavior and parental involvement, education in the United States is at a critical crossroads. As classrooms become battlegrounds for competing ideologies and overwhelmed educators struggle to hold the line, one voice has emerged with clarity, conviction, and firsthand insight: Bryan Wetzel. A former educational entrepreneur, Wetzel has spent years traveling the country, working with school districts, and listening to teachers—and what he uncovered compelled him to speak out.
In this powerful and eye-opening interview, Wetzel sits down with Stacey Chillemi to pull back the curtain on the real issues plaguing America’s schools. With a tone that’s both candid and compassionate, he sheds light on the root causes of systemic dysfunction—from administrative overreach to the erosion of respect for teachers—and offers common-sense solutions that prioritize students over politics. Drawing from his experiences, research, and countless conversations with educators, Wetzel makes a compelling case for why urgent reform is not only necessary but also entirely possible—if we’re willing to confront the hard truths and work together to fix what’s broken.
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?
Absolutely, and I appreciate the chance to share my story. Back in 2009, I co-founded a company that created educational resources for K–12 students. That venture allowed me to travel across the country, meet with school districts, and speak with thousands of teachers. It didn’t take long to realize that what I was seeing behind the scenes was deeply troubling. I assumed the decisions being made in education would make sense once I got closer to the source—but the opposite happened. I became increasingly confused and concerned. Policies didn’t align with common sense, and the focus seemed to drift away from students’ needs toward bureaucracy and budget battles. That sparked my passion for education reform.
What are some of the most pressing issues currently plaguing our education system?
Where do I begin? One of the most urgent issues is the teacher shortage. Over 100,000 teaching positions are currently unfilled, and that number is projected to grow to 200,000 by 2027. Teachers are leaving the profession in droves after investing years into their education and certifications. Why? Because they’re overworked, under-supported, and often disrespected by both administration and parents. Student behavior is another major concern—it’s deteriorating rapidly, and the lack of real consequences only makes it worse. Schools are overwhelmed, yet many decisions being made today are more about avoiding lawsuits or appeasing public optics than improving educational outcomes.
What do you think is driving teachers out of the profession in such large numbers?
It’s the perfect storm of stress, disrespect, and a lack of support. Teachers go through years of training, only to find themselves in classrooms where they’re disrespected by students, second-guessed by parents, and micromanaged by administrators. The emotional toll is immense. And let’s not forget, many of them leave before they’re even eligible for pensions. That says a lot. There’s also the behavioral aspect—students cursing at teachers, throwing things, and facing little to no consequences. Teachers are left to manage chaos with no backup. It’s not sustainable.
What are some misconceptions parents have about what’s happening inside classrooms?
Many parents believe their kids without question—and that’s a huge problem. Kids lie. We all did it to avoid getting into trouble. Yet some parents accept every word as gospel and immediately blame the teacher. Another common misconception is confusing teasing with bullying. If someone jokes about your child’s lunch, that’s not bullying. Bullying is intentional harm or harassment. There’s also the idea that some kids fail because they’re “too smart” and bored. Let’s be honest—more often than not, it’s because they’re not putting in the effort.
What do teachers really wish parents understood?
First and foremost, that teachers don’t create the rules—they’re just following district mandates. Complaining to them about policies won’t help. Also, stop assuming your child is telling the full story. Kids will exaggerate or twist the truth to avoid consequences. Another big one: parents doing their child’s homework. Teachers can tell—it’s in your handwriting! You’re not helping them learn; you’re boosting your own ego. And finally, teachers want you to know they’re trying their best under very difficult circumstances. Show some empathy.
How are these systemic issues impacting students’ learning experiences?
They’re crippling student progress. When poor behavior is excused and academic effort isn’t required, kids learn that there are no real consequences. That mindset won’t serve them in the real world. Teachers can’t do their jobs effectively in a chaotic environment, and students who want to learn suffer because of a few who disrupt. Also, when curriculum becomes overly difficult or rushed, kids check out. They begin saying things like, “I’m just not good at math,” and carry that defeatist attitude for years. We’re fostering learned helplessness.
What challenges do teachers face that are often overlooked by policymakers?
Many policies seem to be written by people who’ve never stepped into a classroom. When controversial policies roll out, it’s the teachers—not the district office—who take the brunt of parent backlash. They’re the frontline soldiers with no say in the battle plan. Whether it’s social issue content or curriculum shifts, teachers are left to defend decisions they didn’t make. It’s disheartening. Also, the lack of autonomy in how they teach is demoralizing. These are trained professionals. Let them teach.
You mentioned children with learning disabilities and mental challenges earlier. What are your key concerns in this area?
The numbers are rising, especially with autism—currently estimated at 1 in 35 children. Ten years ago, it was 1 in 3,000. That’s a massive jump. While we don’t know exactly why this is happening, what’s encouraging is that there are more interventions available now. Special education today doesn’t mean what it used to—it’s tiered, and many kids exit it successfully. Autism is a spectrum, and most children can still lead full, productive lives. But early intervention is critical. Parents shouldn’t panic—they should act. Talk to your pediatrician, get testing done, and seek the help that’s available.
Can early diagnosis and intervention really change a child’s trajectory?
Absolutely. I’ve seen children go from completely non-verbal to thriving adults with careers. Intervention helps them gain the tools they need to succeed socially and academically. One family I know never told their son he was autistic—and he went on to become a fireman and Army Reservist. They didn’t want him using it as a crutch. And you know what? He didn’t. That mindset matters. Parents can empower their kids by helping them, not labeling them.
How can parents and communities support meaningful change in education?
Get involved—period. Show up at school board meetings. Email your district. Run for the board if you’re passionate. And do it respectfully. Yelling gets you nowhere. Diplomatic conversations are how things move forward. Also, understand that your local administrators often hate the same policies you do—but they’re bound by district decisions. The more parents speak up, the more likely change will happen.
Based on your research and experience, where is education heading if we don’t address these issues?
We’re headed toward a national educational decline. Test scores have been dropping for years. We’re graduating students who can’t read or do basic math—and they’re going to be the ones taking care of this country one day. If we continue down this road, our innovation, economy, and leadership will all take a hit. The scary part? Many school districts care more about funding than fixing education. And they think throwing more money at the problem is the answer. It’s not.
What do you think about the arguments around school funding and performance?
I hear this all the time: “We need more money.” But we’ve already increased funding—yet scores keep dropping. If money were the issue, we should’ve seen improvements by now. The truth is, it’s not about more money. It’s about how we use it. Give teachers autonomy. Focus on core subjects. Cut unnecessary programming. If schools improved outcomes, people would gladly support funding increases. But right now, it feels like we’re throwing good money after bad.
Looking back, what originally inspired you to start working in education reform?
Initially, I just wanted to help. My company set out to create tools that would make education better. But as I got deeper into the system, I saw the dysfunction—backroom deals, wasteful spending, even bribery. I once met a vendor who boasted about getting into schools by gifting administrators season tickets. That moment crystallized everything for me. Education had become more about perks than performance, and I couldn’t stay quiet about it.
Can you tell us more about your book and what readers can expect?
The book is a mix of personal stories, interviews, research, and proposed solutions. It pulls back the curtain on the real issues in education—things the average parent never sees. I talk about everything from teacher burnout to unions, from curriculum mandates to school choice. And importantly, the final chapter is all about solutions—many of which came directly from teachers. This isn’t just a rant; it’s a call to action.
What’s one of your most actionable solutions?
Give teachers more autonomy. That one change would make a huge difference. Stop forcing them into a one-size-fits-all approach. Charter and private schools that allow autonomy consistently outperform public schools. Teachers know how to reach their students—trust them. Let them adapt lessons, slow down when needed, and focus on mastery instead of pace. It’s not rocket science—it’s just common sense.
What are your thoughts on the manipulation of test scores and school rankings?
It happens all the time. From adjusting grading curves to busing in high-IQ students just to raise average test scores—it’s all smoke and mirrors. These tactics don’t improve education. They just create the illusion of success. And parents are often none the wiser. It’s deeply dishonest and does a disservice to the students who need real help.
What final message would you like to leave with our readers?
This is our future we’re talking about. We can’t afford to be passive. The system is broken, but it’s fixable—if we collectively decide to do something about it. Speak up. Get involved. Stop making excuses. Our children—and our country—deserve better.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
You can visit my website at BryanThomasWetzel.com. I welcome emails, especially from teachers and parents. I’m no longer in the education business, but I remain fully committed to advocating for change. And if I can help you or connect you with someone who can, I will.
Bryan, thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me today. Your insight, honesty, and passion for education reform are truly inspiring. I know our readers will walk away from this interview with a lot to think about—and hopefully, the motivation to get involved and make a difference.
Thank you, Stacey. I really appreciate the opportunity to share my experiences and concerns. These conversations matter, and I’m grateful to be part of the dialogue. If we can help even a few parents, teachers, or policymakers see things more clearly, then we’re on the right path.
