In this episode of All Things Marketing and Education, host Elana Leoni sits down with Bert Bower, founder of Teachers' Curriculum Institute (TCI), whose remarkable 36-year journey in educational publishing has transformed how social studies is taught in American classrooms. From humble beginnings as a bootstrapped startup to becoming a leader in core curriculum, Bert shares insights on building a sustainable EdTech company while staying true to teacher-focused values.

Bert emphasizes the importance of classroom-first design and human interaction over technological gimmicks. He describes TCI's evolution from supplemental materials to core curriculum, and how they've navigated multiple transformations—from physical materials to digital platforms, and most recently, to interactive video activities that encourage student engagement. For EdTech professionals, his insights on maintaining lean operations, and focusing on teacher adoption before administrative buy-in offer valuable lessons in building sustainable educational companies.

This conversation is especially timely as the EdTech industry faces significant changes. Bert offers candid insights about the current state of educational technology, including thoughtful perspectives on AI's role as a "guide on the side" rather than a replacement for human interaction. Whether you're an EdTech entrepreneur looking to understand the industry's dynamics or an educator interested in the evolution of classroom technology, this episode provides valuable insights into building products that truly serve teachers and students.

Here are the rest of the episode show notes.