Insights

As I reflect on the last school year and think about the upcoming one — which in parts of the country has already begun — one thought in particular is top of mind. The focus in K-12 has always circled around proficiency, measured by things like grades and test scores. However, as we consider the ways we can improve our education system, we must also prioritize the well-being of both students and teachers. And to do this, we as a society need to reckon with several challenges.

• Technology: The fact is, there is no way to truly scale and support student and teacher well-being unless technology is continuously evolving and implemented both in and outside the classroom.
• Political and social will: Teachers deserve to be respected as the important professionals they are. Wouldn’t it be great if the strongest students graduating from the best colleges were competing to launch their careers in K-12 education? Improving the way educators are treated won’t happen overnight and will require a tremendous effort that is multifaceted and includes political funding. However, having the will to value and ensure teacher well-being and respect is the first step.
• Diversity, equity and inclusion: The topic of DE&I has been a huge emphasis at Cambium. We’re at an incredible moment in time, and DE&I needs to be at the forefront of every business as a permanent priority. As companies like Cambium think about how to improve the well-being of teachers and students, we need to fully embrace diversity to ensure every voice is heard. Doing so will ultimately make our products and customer experience better, thus improving the well-being of those we interact with.

So, how does education technology help us reckon with these long-standing issues?

We have a purpose at Cambium, which is to ensure that all students and teachers feel seen, valued and supported. The way we reach and execute on our purpose is through our essential elements of simplicity, certainty and now:

• Simplicity: Teachers have told us repeatedly that they don’t want 1,000 solutions. Instead, they want a manageable number of solid solutions that will actually solve their problems.
• Certainty: Teachers want products and services that work and that they feel confident using. To reach this level of certainty, teachers and schools are looking for companies that deliver on their promises, again and again.
• Now: One idea that we hear all the time in the education space is “growing the leaders of tomorrow.” While the concept has great intentions, the future doesn’t exist — we only really have the present moment. At Cambium, our products are designed to make the most of learning in the moment today, tomorrow and the next day. By focusing on the seemingly small moments, students will improve every day and that’s when the magic starts to happen.

At Cambium, we’re dedicated to elevating these three elements in everything we do, not just in our products and services, but in how we work together as a team. After all, our hope is to help make the “new normal” in education a more innovative and better experience for all, no exceptions.

For more of my thoughts on the new normal in edtech, check out my conversation with Adam Newman, co-founder and managing partner of Tyton Partners, from the ASU+GSV Summit.