05/05/2026
When I was five, I wanted to be a tissue maker.
I didn’t exactly live out that dream 😂 but I was lucky to have access to a high-quality education that gave me the foundation to imagine big, grow, and act as the architect for my own future — whether that meant working in a tissue factory or eventually leading The Ganas Network.
In our fellowship programs, we often begin by asking: “When you were five, what did you want to be?” And follow that question with “How have your dreams changed?” Those questions help us uncover the pivotal moments that shaped our educational journeys and helped us become who we are.
The truth is, not every five-year-old has access to the kind of educational foundation that makes big dreams feel possible.
That’s why this conversation matters.
Tomorrow, is hosting a Virtual Elementary Community Conversation at 5PM about the possibility of opening elementary schools in Denver and Aurora. It’s a chance to think about what it would look like to support the next generation from the very start.
If you’re a DSST alum, parent, educator, or community member, I hope you’ll join us. And if you can’t attend live, you can still RSVP to receive the slide deck and survey afterward.
RSVP at the link in our bio, or comment with what you wanted to be when you were five and we’ll DM you the link!
