The Headrush Learning Manifesto
By Shane Krukowski and Mike Hourahine
Thinking Outside The Textbook
Shane's Story
Shane began to realize something was fundamentally wrong with education while in high school, working 20 hours a week to support his single mom. Frustrated by the outdated approach of rote memorization, he went on a homework strike, passing his class despite resistance from his teacher. This experience lit a fire in him to challenge traditional learning.
From the Classroom to the Streets
Shane joined Homeboyz Interactive, a non-profit in Milwaukee that helped former gang members gain work skills through self-directed, project-based learning. This transformative experience inspired him to launch Project Foundry, a platform for personalized learning, raising $1.5 million and onboarding over 400 schools. Despite setbacks with investors, Shane learned the importance of great partnerships and the potential for impact in education.
Mike's Story
Mike, as IT Director at Appleby College, introduced technology to classrooms, realizing that gadgets alone couldn’t solve education's deep-rooted issues. At THINK Global School, he witnessed the tension between innovative project-based learning and rigid curricula like the International Baccalaureate. A turning point came in Costa Rica, where he saw students thrive in real-world scientific projects while others were confined to traditional lessons.
School meets the Real World
A Shared Vision
Shane and Mike, introduced by mutual friends, shared a vision for dynamic, project-based learning. Together with Jeff, a trusted developer, they created Headrush, the first Learning Engagement System that puts students at the center of their learning journey.
Headrush in Action
Headrush empowers students to design projects around their passions—whether analyzing LeBron James' stats in geometry or exploring Taylor Swift’s sound waves in physics. The platform equips teachers to facilitate rather than lecture, fostering a collaborative, engaging environment.
Trailblazing Success
Drawing from Shane and Mike's networks, Headrush gained its first five pioneering customers, later including Khan Lab Schools and XQ-funded institutions. These schools trusted Headrush to transform education, and today, the platform serves 70,000 students across forward-thinking programs like Jobs for America’s Graduates.
The Future of Education
Breaking Through Bureaucracy
Headrush envisions a world where education is personalized and engaging, preparing students for real-world challenges. Instead of traditional lectures and exams, Headrush emphasizes dynamic, project-based learning paths that adapt to each student's interests.
Empowering Change
With Headrush, students go from passive participants to active learners. Teachers become guides, fostering a culture of lifelong learning. This approach not only improves engagement but also bridges traditional metrics with transformative outcomes.
Feel The Rush
1.2 million students drop out of high school annually, but with Headrush, this statistic can change. Education should be a launchpad to the real world, not a series of obstacles. It’s time to liberate learning for the next generation.