Who I Am and Why I Started Illumination Education

Hi there! My name is Hilary Hairston, and I am the founder and visionary behind Illumination Education. Ultimately, my goal is to help transform the face of education—permanently and meaningfully.

Having spent years within the traditional school system, both as a student and as an educator, I have witnessed firsthand not only how children are underserved by conventional education but also the damage and trauma it can cause along the way. Unfortunately, the current education system is broken. Despite the best intentions of remarkable leaders, teachers, and educators, far too much valuable time and effort are wasted—failing too many incredible human beings.

We can do better.

For starters, the traditional grading and report card system assigns a subjective value to a child’s learning and potential, leading students and parents to believe that grades define a student’s worth. I have seen how this fosters insecurity, anxiety, and self-doubt, along with other, more lasting negative effects that follow students into adulthood. Old-school teaching methods that demand silence, single-file lines, and unquestioning obedience only add to the harm.

It makes sense that students struggle in subjects that fail to interest them. This is not a reflection of their intelligence or abilities. Studies suggest that many people retain very little of what they learned in elementary school, highlighting the significant loss of both time and potential. How dare we squander years of anyone’s life in this way—disregarding individuality, stifling creativity, and denying the world the brilliance each child has to offer?

Additionally, the current system requires children to sit for nearly eight hours a day, with less movement and outdoor time than is known to be healthy. Humans are not designed to be sedentary for such extended periods without suffering physical, emotional, and cognitive consequences. What students need is more action, more freedom to explore, and more opportunities for child-led teaching and learning.

Imagine a world where education is about more than memorizing facts and passing tests. At Illumination Education, we believe in empowering children to take charge of their learning and their lives. We focus on creating nurturing environments where kids can play and discover who they are and what excites them. Through their passions and strengths, students will more naturally acquire the essential skills of reading, writing, and arithmetic. When learning is integrated into something a child loves, it becomes easier, more meaningful, and more likely to be retained long-term. Hands-on experience and active engagement are the true keys to a successful education.

More importantly, this approach allows students to begin honing their skills and crafting their career and life passions early on—rather than spending years being passed through a homogenous system only to be told to go forth and figure out what makes them happy or to simply earn a living wage. By giving students the time and space to explore their interests in real and meaningful ways from a young age, we provide them with more time to learn, grow, and produce. This not only fosters confidence but also equips them with practical skills and a clearer sense of purpose, ensuring they step into adulthood with a deeper understanding of themselves and the world.

The educational spaces supported by Illumination Education will be sustainable, deeply connected to nature, and rooted in play, peer collaboration, passion, and problem-solving. We aim to redefine what it means to be part of a community and to foster the sacred journey of learning that each individual embarks upon throughout their life.

With what we know today, there is no justification for clinging to outdated methods simply because they have always been the norm. We know better and now we must do better. It’s time to break free from tradition, embrace innovation, and build an educational experience that aligns with what we know works best for children.

Going forward, I envision a future where no two schools are alike—where each community shapes its own learning spaces based on the unique needs of its members. In this way, the most magical of schools will begin to emerge, inspiring creativity, growth, and a love of learning that will ripple through generations.

I wish I had experienced this kind of education growing up. Now, I am determined to create it—not just for my own children, but for as many children as possible. I am equally excited to connect with others who share this vision and who are invested in shaping a better future for education and for the world.

Together, I know we will create something extraordinary.