Always A Teacher Podcast
What happens when you decide to leave teaching and pursue the next chapter in your career? The Always A Teacher podcast provides teachers with insights and advice for breaking into the EdTech space. Hosted by Matt Gambino, the nation's top trainer of EdTech industry professionals, Always a Teacher features wide-ranging interviews with former teachers and administrators who share their stories about transitioning from the classroom to EdTech, and how they apply their unique skills and passion for students to a business setting.
Always A Teacher Podcast
#022 David Thomas: National Vice President of Strategic Partnerships
Do EdTech companies really value classroom experience? How does a career dedicated to serving students in K-12 and higher education translate to a leadership role in a corporate environment?
In this episode, Matt talks with David Thomas, National Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at RethinkEd. David shares his remarkable journey through multiple facets of the education world—from his time as an instructor and administrator in higher ed to his work in K-12 and his current executive role. His story is a powerful testament to the value of a practitioner's perspective in the business world.
In this episode, you'll hear:
- Why companies like RethinkEd actively recruit former educators to "tell the story better" than anyone else can.
- David's non-negotiable standard for choosing an EdTech company: its mission must be to improve outcomes for all students, especially those who have been historically underserved.
- How the skills honed in education—understanding student needs, navigating complex systems, and focusing on results—are directly transferable to strategic roles in EdTech.
- Advice for transitioning educators on how to leverage their unique background to find a company that aligns with their core values.
The Always A Teacher podcast is for educators who are considering a transition from the classroom to the EdTech industry. Host Matt Gambino, founder of Propel Skills, the number one sales training firm serving EDU and EdTech businesses exclusively, taps into his network to bring you the stories, secrets, and skills you need to make the move.
Learn more about sales training for your EdTech team at propelskills.com.
Thinking about transitioning? Explore your path with our EdTech Transition Checklist to get started!
