10 questions with…EDP Group CEO Stephanie Hobler
A global shortage and uneven distribution of professionally trained teachers has exacerbated the equity gap in education. Stephanie Hobler shares her vision for closing this gap plus her thoughts on female leadership and the transition from educator to entrepreneur.
Stephanie’s most recent role was as Regional Head of Development for Tes Global (Asia Pacific), where she oversaw Tes’ teacher training and professional development arm. Her experience includes primary grade teaching, speaking at regional conferences and trade shows, and organising exclusive education events for multinational banks and insurance companies.
1. What was your motivation behind starting EDP Group?
It was important for me to create a business that did more than just make a profit. Our future depends on great teachers, so my goal was to make an impact where it matters most, providing inclusive and equitable education for all. The education profession is facing a global teacher shortage with insufficient or absent Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and national teacher standards, a lack of teacher mentors, and support in the transition to hybrid teaching. We made it our mission to develop a community of teachers as learners who, in turn, would foster a culture that supports lifelong learning. To achieve this, we developed TeachUp, a multilingual online learning platform to help teachers gain the critical skills and resources needed to advance their careers.
2. TeachUp sounds like an exciting venture. Tell us more about your training platform.
Due to my background in teacher training and professional development, I spoke to teachers and schools about this subject on a daily basis. Through time, it became evident that there was a need for high-quality, accessible, and affordable training and development. Teacher training providers tend to produce programmes that are beyond the means of most learners, focusing on a British or American style curriculum. Additionally, the medium of instruction is primarily English, which results in a large number of teaching staff being excluded from CPD. To fulfil our mission, we designed courses that are affordable, regionally relevant, offered in multiple languages, and accessible to those without access to a computer.
3. Tell us more about the ongoing challenges schools face in relation to staff training, recruitment, and retention?
It would be difficult not to mention COVID-19 and how it has impacted retention, recruitment, and staff wellbeing. Vaccine mandates, online teaching, border closures, and the repatriation of expat families have all had a significant impact on recruitment and retention in the international school community. As a result of government cuts and the loss of student fees, budgets for teacher training and professional development have been reduced, but recruitment expenditure remains high. With reduced mobility and tightened visa requirements, schools must now focus on teacher retention and the career development of existing teachers.
4. Can you describe your own teacher training experience?
As a PGCE student, I had the opportunity to study in Hong Kong and New Zealand, and overall I had a positive experience (except for a few sleepless nights completing assignments). During my time In New Zealand, I was assigned teacher mentors who contributed greatly to my experience and training. I cannot emphasise enough the value of an experienced and supportive mentor to the development of teachers at every stage of their careers.
5. What led you to make the transition from educator to EdTech entrepreneur?
I loved teaching the Early Years, and have many fond memories of my students and their parents. You wouldn't find very many jobs that allow you to enjoy your working hours so much. Even though it was rewarding, there was always a part of me interested in exploring education management and solving problems. I must admit that it was difficult transitioning to a new profession. HR Managers and recruiters frequently told me that as a teacher, I lacked the necessary skills and experience for a role in business. Yes, we possess a unique skill set but we are also excellent communicators and problem-solvers not to mention our emotional intelligence and leadership skills. So often we hear of individuals retraining to become a teacher but not the other way around. Over the years, I've spoken with many teachers interested in changing careers but have felt limited by their options. This is when I pull out my cheerleader pom poms and let them know they can accomplish anything.
6. How do you feel about being a younger female entrepreneur and CEO in the education sector?
Teaching is a largely female-dominated profession, particularly in the early years and primary stages. Despite this, school leadership teams often lack diversity, and there is certainly not enough female representation on the boards of education companies. We still have a long way to go when it comes to enabling women to claim their space in leadership. Having said that, I am confident that my peers will be fully supportive of what we are trying to achieve. When I left teaching, I could not have imagined becoming an entrepreneur. I made the mistake of thinking this could only be accomplished with decades of experience and an MBA. Of course, neither of these are true. Tech is full of young entrepreneurs who have found success and are leading their fields in innovation.
7. What have been the most challenging moments during the start-up phase?
Starting an EdTech company without having any personal experience in the technology sector. I’ll take this opportunity to publicly apologise to my parents for mocking their lack of IT skills over the last 20 years. I’ve studied endless online self-help guides and watched “How To” tutorials on repeat, but the reward and satisfaction that comes with solving a problem yourself is unmatched. It also helps that we have a team of tech experts to make sure our products are truly innovative and engaging.
8. What would your advice be to aspiring entrepreneurs?
A business or product you create should inspire and excite you. You don't have to reinvent the wheel, but you should look for gaps in the market or problems that need solving. Work with skilled and ambitious business partners, and don't be afraid to ask for help. You can’t possibly know everything, so be willing to admit when you are wrong. Finally, prepare to be your company’s Administrator, Marketing Manager, Accountant, Designer and CEO if that’s what it takes to get started.
9. What would you be doing if you didn't work in education?
I fancy myself as a bit of a creative so perhaps a florist or interior designer. My inner stage child would say a musical theatre star, but I think I’ll stick to the shower karaoke sessions to belt out Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables.
10. What will EDP Group look like in 5 years?
As the company grows, we expect to partner with education institutions, organisations and NGOs that share our mission of lifelong learning for all. Our goal is to make a positive impact (small or large) on the lives of educators, and we will continue to find solutions to the many obstacles they face.
EDP Group will launch TeachUp in August 2022
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