Josh Farris
Public Speaker & ConsultantEDUCATION MOTTO: I DON’T KNOW, BUT I CAN LEARN
I embrace the power of change through stories. I strive to model Vulnerability, Empathy, & Authenticity in all that I do.
My Story
Growing up in a rural and high-poverty community in Southwest Virginia, education and learning quickly became my saving grace. I developed a keen interest in Education Leadership and understanding educational systems.
By the 12th grade, I had the privilege to spend time with the division Superintendent as well as principals at two district high schools to understand the challenges they faced serving students in the community. I also developed an affinity for speaking in public at an early age. These interests continued in college.
I attended the University of Virginia on a full-ride Questbridge scholarship. I majored in Youth & Social Innovation, a new degree that combines youth development with research, education policy, evaluation and education innovation & entrepreneurship.
My scholarship chiefly focused on the challenges that first-generation and low-income students face in accessing, completing, and transitioning out of post-secondary education. Since then, I have created content, published research, and provided support to many individuals, schools, colleges, nonprofits and businesses.
I dream to be the next Dumbledore of Education and I regularly use my knowledge in education innovation, systems thinking, and public speaking skills to aid efforts in transforming both k-12 and post-secondary education in the U.S. As Dumbledore has said, “We must all face the choice between what is right, and what is easy.” What’s Hard is What We Rightly Deserve!
What Does Fire-born Mean?
Like a Phoenix, new beginnings are born from uncomfortable conflicts and painful endings. The COVID-19 Pandemic revealed to us that the current educational systems, policies, and practices we held in place were not working (nor have they ever really) for many learners.
We must let this “fire” burn away what was not serving millions of youth, educators and parents alike. To transform, education must break free of the assumptions and beliefs that bound it in place. To find Ed-Freedom, we must Rise Above. We must strive for a world where the underdog can be the paragon.
Conversation sparks inspiration and Ideas ignite hope. Revealing uncomfortable truths requires courage and vulnerability, but is necessary to pave a new reality. Inside all of us burns that fire to speak the necessity and live on that leap of faith.
To be Fire-born is to be the first: to speak up, to act, to create, even when faced with fear, rebuke or doubt. With each first, a part of us dies and a newer version of ourselves is born. To be fire-born is to transform into the person we always wanted to be-our most authentic selves.
Authenticity is fire. It’s uncomfortable but also empowering. That fire wields great power, the power to lead by example. We must Lead Others By Following Ourselves. As Rosa Parks once said, “Knowing what must be done does away with fear.” It is time to find our fire to do what must be done-for both the future generations as well as our selves. Education needs the Fire-Born.
My Approach
I tailor all of my speaking engagements to the theme, purpose, and audience of the event. I craft a series of goals and align stories and/or academic knowledge that are best tailored to these goals and most relatable to the audience.
For consulting, I spend time during the intake session understanding the problem of the organization and discussing potential strategies to address the challenges mentioned. I consider access to various resources, research or connections when discussing opportunities.
Featured Publications & Media
Articles
- Guiding First-Generation Students to Success-Inside Higher Ed
- How apathy can be a systemic barrier for first-generation students-Open Campus
- Opening The Door For First-Generation Students. -Daily Progress