(John Bruchhagen) – I had the extraordinary opportunity to attend three back-to-back events this morning that could easily redefine the trajectory of my work in education, and perhaps even education itself.
It all began at the Nevada Republican Club, where Pauline Lee hosted a gathering that brought together party leadership, community advocates, and some of the most engaged voices in education reform.
After brief remarks from Michael McDonald, Chairman of the Nevada Republican Party, Rudy Pamintuan, Chief of Staff to Lt. Gov. Stavros Anthony, took the mic and introduced the guest of honor: Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.
Secretary McMahon spoke candidly and with conviction about her unusual task, carrying out President Trump’s directive to dissolve the Department of Education. She framed it not as a retreat, but as a restoration of local and state control, as envisioned by the 10th Amendment.
She also touched on the need to protect women and children in school spaces, referencing locker room policies, and limitations on so-called “free speech” that infringe on the rights of others, aligning perfectly with the often overlooked 9th Amendment.
Though she didn’t name those amendments directly, as someone who reveres them both, I knew exactly what she meant. She’s doing the work I’ve been hoping someone in her position would do for years.
The event also gave me the chance to reconnect with some incredible local figures like Emily Stevens and Lorena Biassotti of the CCSD Board of Trustees, Drew Johnson, Senior Fellow at National Center for Public Policy Research and his wife Sarah, Director of the Lieutenant Governor’s Office of Small Business Advocacy, Howell Shaw (pastor), Zoe Babcock (conservative youth leader), Pat Casale, Garland and Patricia Brinkley, Jill Douglass, George Harris, Chuck Muth, Amy Wood of Turning Point Action, Cristiane Mersch of First Choice Pregnancy Services and Moms 4 Liberty, and Valeria Gurr from Nevada School Choice.
It was a perfect kickoff, until things took a surreal turn.
The Accidental Private Briefing
My second stop was at FutureEdge Charter Academy in North Las Vegas, founded by Shubham Pandey, CEO of Pioneer Technology & Arts Academy, a man who operates over 50 charter schools across five states.
I arrived early and was directed to a classroom… and waited. And waited. No one else arrived. But before long, I realized: I wasn’t in the wrong room. I was in the right room at the exact right moment.
Unknowingly, I was sitting in on a private AI education technology presentation attended only by Secretary McMahon, Congressman Byron Donalds, his wife Erika Donalds (an educational activist in her own right), and a few aides.
The presentation showcased a BETA version of AI-powered one-on-one tutoring being piloted in Pioneer’s schools, with the ultimate goal of providing it free nationwide.
As someone who has spent the past year writing and teaching curriculum, using AI, coding, and custom tools to help teachers, parents, and students, I felt a bit like Cinderella at the ball.
Sitting in that room, watching this showcase alongside Secretary McMahon and Congressman Byron Donalds, I was reminded how far this field has come in such a short time. The work being presented was inspiring, thoughtful, and forward-thinking, and it genuinely aligned with many of the things I’ve been working toward.
Afterward, I had the chance to speak with Shubham Pandey, whose expertise in systems design and computer science is clearly fueling the next wave of innovation in education. We exchanged information, and I truly hope there’s a chance to collaborate down the line.
My own background, developing math curriculum from third grade through college calculus, has taught me the value of sound pedagogy, and I couldn’t help but think: with the right educational approach layered into that kind of technology, the impact could be game-changing.
I say this with deep respect for the incredible work already being done, I was genuinely impressed and encouraged by what I saw.
If there’s ever an opportunity where my background in content and instructional design could complement efforts in educational technology, I’d be grateful to contribute in any way that’s helpful.
I’d truly welcome the chance to be part of that conversation.
The Roundtable That Wasn’t a Listening Tour
From there, we transitioned into the final event, a tightly organized roundtable led by Amy Wood of Turning Point Action. At the head of the table: Secretary McMahon, joined by a formidable cast of leaders in Nevada education and policy:
- State Senator Carrie Buck, Executive Director at Pinecrest Academy
- Annette Owens, Policy Director at Children’s Advocacy Alliance Nevada
- Rabbi Nachum Meth, Director of Operations at Rosh Kollel
- Erin Phillips, President of Power2Parent
- Stephanie Goodman, Nevada Regent
- Marshi Smith, NCAA Swimming Champion
Also in the room were Regent Byron Brooks, Rachel Puaina (teacher and activist), former Nevada Attorney General George Chanos, and many of the community leaders from earlier that day.
Each person at the table offered insight.
Senator Buck shared her legislative victories, Rabbi Meth explained why “one size doesn’t fit all,” Erin reminded us how Power2Parent has fought for transparency long before it was “fashionable,” and Stephanie Goodman addressed the roadblocks conservatives face in higher education and free speech.
Secretary McMahon wasn’t just listening, she was engaging. She asked questions, challenged ideas, and made clear that this wasn’t a listening tour. This was a fact-finding mission to reinforce what she already knows: education works better when it’s governed close to home.
Leaving My Mark
Earlier that day, I was able to give Secretary McMahon a 4-page proposal I had written myself.
I later spoke with her aides to clarify the contents: a plan to replace the ideologically saturated professional development model used in teacher training, and a bold, achievable initiative to rewrite the Common Core math standards, a system that ignores essential fundamentals like the Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic.
These proposals aren’t flashy or political theater, but they’re exactly the kind of structural changes that leave a legacy. Because we can’t change education in America without changing how teachers are trained and how math is taught.
That’s the heart of the system. And while most are focused on school choice and culture war headlines (rightly so), these are the operational reforms that will last.
What Comes Next
I can’t thank Rudy Pamintuan enough for opening the door to these incredible experiences. Rubbing elbows with the most influential conservative voices in Nevada education, and speaking directly with those who can carry my vision to a national stage, was surreal.
But more importantly, it reaffirmed my belief that what I’m doing at Infinity – The Math Institute matters. And we’re just getting started.
My hope is that these conversations lead to meaningful collaboration. If there’s a place at the table for voices like mine, not just to be heard, but to contribute, I’d be honored to be part of it.
I’d love to play a role in shaping a future where every student has the chance to truly understand math, not just to pass a test, but to grasp the deeper clarity, structure, and confidence that mathematics can bring.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views.
