First generation American success story Jaime Casap emigrated to the U.S. from Argentina as a child of a single mother, and grew up in Hell’s Kitchen when the name still fit the conditions. He knows the odds he overcame to achieve that success and become a vice-president at Google. Education was the key.

“Education can change the destiny of a family in just one generation.”

Today at SXSWedu, Casap examined how education helped him overcome the odds and excel in life, not just for himself but for his two children as well.

Immigrants, whether Hispanic or otherwise, for whom English is their second language, as it was for him, have greater challenges than native-born children.

In his discussion, he examined the role technology plays in the lives of individuals and the relative enhancement of their education. Children with access to technology greatly benefit from the tools at their immediate disposal, but adults who didn’t grow up with the interactive technology have not had a chance to “play” or “explore” while receiving an education. So it’s important to realize that one of the questions educators need to ask is, “How do schools prepare kids for a future that doesn’t exist yet?”

As important as education is, it’s not the only thing that can help the at-risk children become successful according to Casap.

“Don’t ever underestimate afterschool activities and things that keep kids busy.”

“We need to make kids into digital leaders, so what they post online helps them get into college, not keeps them out.”

The responsibility lies with educators and parents to make sure the technology education is one that engages the learner at a deeper level than just the operational one.