Caryn has fantastic memories of the three years she spent teaching and considers the relationships she built with students one of her greatest successes. She developed an obsession with emerging tools and technology to support learning.

When her school replaced computers with smart boards, she became interested in how schools procure technology, choose which tools to use, and how those decisions affect students. Her career has since focused on creating solutions and tools that help improve education and student experiences.

Q & A

What did you like most about teaching?

I loved small group instruction. I taught for three years. By the second year, I could see my kids growing and becoming independent. I learned what it meant to have a purpose-driven life and how urgent this work is. I learned how much relationships with students meant to me.

How did your time in the classroom influence your career?

I learned how technology and design can positively affect students’ learning abilities. I wanted a career that focused on that. I developed a deep sense of empathy, which is critical for a designer. Teaching is one big prototype. It’s a constant iteration and improvement.