I am a certified teacher and global education researcher who combines field-grounded realism with methodological rigor. I move beyond cosmetic reform to examine the foundational mechanisms of learning and the core problems that prevent systems from delivering for children. By probing beneath surface symptoms, I turn complex educational problems into insight that is analytically rigorous, policy-relevant, and strategic. I mentor early-career scholars and partner with ministries of education, NGOs, and international organizations, driven by a strong belief that education can widen what is possible, especially for children whose futures depend most on whether systems deliver.