In this episode of On The Subject, host Michael Vilardo sits down with Patty Hurtt of Poway Unified, a dedicated educator with over 33 years of experience, to discuss the power of alternative education and how personalized learning can help students who don’t fit the traditional model. Patty shares stories of student transformation, the importance of internships and career pathways, and how engagement—not just attendance—defines student success. They also explore how Gen Z and Gen Alpha are reshaping education, the need for mental health integration in curriculum, and what the future of customized learning could look like.