Thankful for the Beautiful Kind of Crazy
A video resurfaced this week of my three girls singing with a level of joyful chaos that made the whole room feel alive. Watching it reminded me how much of leadership and innovation begins with that same spirit. Real growth comes from people who are willing to think boldly, work with intention, and embrace a beautiful kind of crazy that keeps them moving forward even when the path is complex.
That energy is shaping the next chapter of Illuminate XR as we build across countries, time zones, and industries. I wrote about how that mindset fuels our work, our mission, and our global momentum. The full piece is here for anyone interested in what it truly takes to grow something meaningful.
Real results. Real students. A model that outperformed California.
While much of the nation debates how to redesign education for the future, one California public school quietly did it. Elite Academic Academy Lucerne used identity, belonging, and modern instructional design to drive growth four to six times faster than the state average. These results offer a blueprint for innovation that works.
Leading When Everything Feels Impossible
Leading a school today can feel impossible. I have been there. Years ago, I imagined a public school with no walls and made it real. The same lessons that helped me lead then are the ones that matter most now.
Listening to the Sound of Courage in a Changing World
In a world where education is changing faster than ever, true leadership begins with courage. After twenty five years in public education, Meghan Freeman shares how courage shaped her journey from school founder to Co-CEO of Illuminate XR. This reflection explores what it means to lead with humanity, reimagine learning through innovation, and create immersive experiences that prepare students for the world they live in today.
Discover why the future of learning belongs to those willing to evolve, innovate, and lead with heart.
Love In Action
Today at my daughter’s soccer game I witnessed Carl and Ellie from UP come to life. A husband cared for his wife with late-stage dementia with such tenderness and patience while cheering for their granddaughter on the field. It was love in its purest form.
It reminded me that true leadership, like true love, is not about grand gestures or titles. It is about showing up, serving with patience, and putting people first.
Life really is beautiful when we pause to notice.
AI vs. Time: Who’s Really Winning in Education?
He wasn’t falling behind because he couldn’t keep up. He just needed space. Space to think. Space to breathe. Space to learn in a way that actually made sense to him. When his mom realized she could restructure his day, she looked at me through tears and said, “It feels like I’m getting my son back.” That moment stayed with me. And now, with AI showing up in our homes and classrooms, I keep wondering. What are we doing with the time it gives us? Are we using it to bring our kids back to themselves, or are we pushing them further away?