From Dropout to Doctorate: 60 years of lessons in education from both sides of the desk

From Dropout to Doctorate: 60 Years of Lessons in Education from Both Sides of the Desk tells the story of the education of a young girl from the Midwest who drops out of high school and begins a convoluted journey filled with tragedy and triumph, fraught with insecurities, but bolstered by an innate determination to succeed. Motivated by instilled values of integrity and social justice, she works diligently to get back on track and stay there. Her hard work pays off, and she becomes an award-winning teacher, neurodiversity advocate, parenting expert, and activist in an impoverished border community. From the cornfields of Illinois to the corn tortillas of the Mexican border, a high school dropout becomes a champion of the poor and finds her niche in helping others succeed. Her journey through educational institutions-from elementary school to graduate school-offers a behind-the-scenes analysis of what's right and wrong with public education in America, highlighting the urgent need for inclusive, neuroscience-informed practices. With sharp analysis, bold truths, and lived experience, she delivers practical recommendations to build a more equitable, compassionate, and future-ready education system.