From Lost to Found: My Path to Creating this Education Platform

My name is Reza, and I'm not one for social media, but I feel compelled to share my story. It's about how a lost young man found his purpose, ultimately to build an educational system to empower futur generations.

My journey didn't start in education or technology. I was destined for the operating room as a surgeon, but my path was shaped by expectations rather than my own passions. I felt adrift, my relationships shallow, and my studies lacking meaning. 9/11 was a wake-up call. I enlisted, seeking purpose, but the reality of impending deployment brought immense stress to my family. Through the intervention of a compassionate mentor, I was able to leave the military honorably, charting my course in higher education.

My true calling was to address the underrepresentation of disadvantaged communities in professional fields. This led me to a dual doctorate program under the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where I moved from California to the University of Connecticut. I was eager to experience a progressive environment, in the wealthiest area per capita of the richest country in the world, but I encountered a different reality – a hierarchy of conformity and unspoken rules. The university seemed indifferent to systemic abuses of power, and those who conformed without question were rewarded. This was the antithesis of the inclusive education I envisioned.

Mentoring a young boy through the "Mentoring Futures Together" program was a defining experience. His parents were incarcerated, and he struggled with reading and a lack of confidence. Yet, I saw his potential. I instilled in him the belief in our common origin – that all humans are equally capable of learning and achieving. Seeing his immediate grasp of common origin, despite his youth and illiteracy, ignited my passion for for creating a more just education system. This experience fueled my desire to build a learning environment based on shared humanity, fostering equal opportunity for all students, especially those from under-represented groups.

Despite Mentoring Futures Together's inspiring launch, I was the only student participant. While the younger generation of my peers were outwardly empathetic, a disconnect existed between their words and actions. In those early 2010s, signs of societal unraveling were already apparent. Sadly, the program closed after a year, a testament to a generation that could voice concern but lacked the deeper understanding needed to face realities head-on.

At the university, my philosophy of common origin was met with resistance by those in power. This highlighted the entrenched interests of the elite in preserving their conventional views of the ancient self, contrasting sharply with my philosophy of a universal ancient identity, and underscoring the need for a fundamentally different approach. This resistance further fueled my determination to create a solution to improve today's flawed institutions:

• Treats children like the capable beings they are: Learning should be engaging and practical. Timeless stories, everyday activities, and real-world examples can unlock knowledge for anyone.
• Respects individual potential: Equitable education simplifies complex concepts and offers alternative paths, like vocational training, supporting well-rounded individuals regardless of their chosen direction.
• Champions the philosophy of common origin: Everyone has the inherent potential to learn and thrive. Education should nurture that potential and build character, not stifle it.

I'm preparing to crowdfund this platform, not as a business venture, but as a movement. It's about rectifying educational inequities and empowering every child to reach their full potential.

Join me in creating an education system that values what truly matters – the growth and development of every single student.

Sincerely,
Reza