Why EdTech Companies Should Hire Teachers: The Value Educators Bring to Tech

As the education sector evolves with technology, EdTech companies are under pressure to develop tools that meet the diverse needs of educators and students. While technical skills like coding are essential, there’s one group of professionals who offer unique insight—teachers. Here’s why EdTech companies should prioritise hiring teachers:

1. Real-World Understanding of Educational Needs

Teachers are on the frontlines of education and understand the real challenges students face. Their firsthand experience gives them an unmatched perspective on how educational tools should function, from content relevance to user experience. Teachers ensure that products are not only tech-driven but also genuinely useful in a classroom setting.

2. Expertise in Curriculum Design & Pedagogy

Teachers are trained in curriculum design and know how students learn best. Their expertise is invaluable when creating EdTech products that need to accommodate different learning styles and ensure that content is engaging, scaffolded, and effective for diverse learners.

3. User-Centred Design Focus

Teachers naturally prioritise the needs of the learner. This user-centred mindset helps ensure that EdTech products are accessible, intuitive, and inclusive, especially for students with varied abilities. Teachers know which features keep students motivated and engaged, making them essential for creating products that meet real educational needs.

4. Strong Communication & Collaboration Skills

Effective communication is central to teaching, and teachers excel in explaining complex concepts in clear, relatable terms. This skill is crucial in EdTech, where clear, jargon-free communication is needed for both product development and user engagement. Teachers are also experienced collaborators, making them great assets in cross-functional teams.

5. Tech Experience in the Classroom

Today’s teachers are already integrating various EdTech tools into their lessons, from learning management systems (LMS) to educational apps. Their familiarity with a wide range of tech platforms gives them insight into what works, what doesn't, and how technology can effectively support learning.

6. Empathetic Product Testing

Teachers bring a supportive, constructive approach to feedback. In product testing, this means providing thoughtful, actionable suggestions for improvement, ensuring that EdTech tools are both effective and emotionally engaging for learners.

7. Bridging the Gap Between Education & Technology

Teachers help bridge the gap between tech developers and educators, ensuring that products are not only technically sound but also pedagogically valuable. They translate educational challenges into practical solutions, aligning technology with teaching goals.

8. Passion for Education & Lifelong Learning

Teachers are deeply passionate about improving education. This commitment extends beyond the classroom and into the tech space, where they bring a sense of purpose and dedication to developing products that positively impact students’ lives.

Teachers Are Key to EdTech Innovation

Teachers are essential in building EdTech products that truly serve the needs of educators and learners. Their experience, empathy, and skillset are crucial in areas like product development, instructional design, and user experience. For EdTech companies aiming to innovate and scale, hiring teachers is a smart decision. They understand the challenges of the classroom and know how to solve them with technology in meaningful ways.

If you’re an EdTech company looking to make an impact, consider adding teachers to your team. Their real-world experience and passion for education could be the key to unlocking the next breakthrough in learning technology.