Jacob Kantor (aka the Chief DODO) joins Elana to share how EdTech teams can earn trust—not just attention—by leading with empathy, listening well, and following up without selling. Packed with honest advice for anyone trying to build real relationships with school districts.

Check out the LinkedIn course.

Read the episode show notes.

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Level Up Your Education Brand on LinkedIn— in Less Than 5 Hours a Week

A self-paced course built for busy education leaders, marketers, and EdTech entrepreneurs who want real results for their LinkedIn Company Page, without overwhelm.

In this episode of All Things Marketing and Education, Elana sits down with Jeremy Dulle, Founder and President of Spring Rock Partners. With over 25 years of experience as a growth strategist, go-to-market advisor, and business developer, Jeremy brings a rare blend of EdTech expertise and Fortune 500 perspective to the table.

As funding tightens and districts face mounting pressure to streamline their tech stacks, EdTech companies must prove their value—fast. Jeremy shares practical, hard-earned insights on what sustainable growth looks like in today’s education landscape.

Together, Elana and Jeremy explore:

• The unique complexities of selling to school districts—and how to navigate them
• Why implementation is just as important as product innovation
• Common missteps EdTech companies make (especially when entering the space)
• What educators really care about—and how to earn their trust
• How to align business goals with district outcomes, not just flashy features

This conversation is a must-listen for EdTech leaders who want to build not just a product—but a true partnership with schools.

Here’s the full episode Show notes.

In this episode of All Things Marketing and Education, Elana Leoni sits down with Hallie Smith, a seasoned EdTech leader, former educator, and now fractional marketing advisor. Hallie brings her full-circle journey—from early EdTech roles to speech pathology in public schools, and back into EdTech—to unpack the evolving challenges and opportunities in education marketing today.

Together, Elana and Hallie explore:

• The surprising trajectory from EdTech to the classroom—and back again
• Why it's getting harder to market to educators, and what to do about it
• The crucial difference between marketing to educators and with them
• How AI and funding shifts are disrupting the EdTech landscape
• Common marketing mistakes EdTech companies make (and how to fix them)
• Tactical advice on crafting a marketing plan that actually aligns with your business goals

This episode is a must-listen for anyone trying to make meaningful, measurable impact in education—whether you’re new to the space or a seasoned pro.

🎧 Plus: Hallie’s refreshingly honest answer to what really helps her recharge in the face of industry burnout.

Here’s the rest of Hallie's show notes.