Today we’d like to introduce you to Andon Hood.
Hi Andon, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey with Herd started during my sophomore year of high school. I’ve always been passionate about education and technology, and I saw an opportunity to bridge the gap between the two. I noticed that traditional education systems often struggle to engage students effectively and provide personalized learning experiences. That’s when the idea for Herd began to take shape. An all-in-one messaging platform that empowers entire school communities to connect and communicate with ease.
I continued brainstorming ideas with my older brother, who shared the same passion for education. Together, we conducted extensive research, interviewed teachers and students, and analyzed the existing EdTech landscape. We wanted to create a platform that empowered students to take control of their learning journey while providing educators with innovative tools to enhance their teaching methods.
Once we had a clear vision, we worked tirelessly to develop a minimum viable product (MVP). We brought in a close family friend who had extensive programming experience to help us bring our vision to life. It was a challenging process, but we were driven by our shared mission and the potential impact we could make.
Since launching Herd earlier this year, we have been fortunate enough to speak with many public and private schools throughout the Greater Houston Area and beyond. The initial response was incredibly positive and has Herd being implemented into various schools across the area.
Though our launch was successful, there is still much work to be done. We have a robust research and development plan scheduled for Herd in the coming years that will allow us to further innovate Herd’s mission and technology for schools.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like any startup, we faced several challenges along the way that tested our resilience and adaptability. Two significant struggles we encountered were operating in a fully remote startup environment and navigating the complexities of working with public schools and government policies.
Operating in a fully remote startup environment presented unique challenges, especially considering our young age and limited resources. Communication and collaboration became crucial. We had to establish efficient digital workflows, leverage collaboration tools, and ensure effective remote team management. It took time to find the right balance and establish a cohesive work culture despite not being physically together. Building trust and maintaining a strong team dynamic were essential components of overcoming this hurdle.
Additionally, working with public schools introduced us to the intricacies of government policies and procedures. As an EdTech company, we had to comply with various regulations while aligning our platform with the specific requirements of different school districts. This involved understanding complex procurement processes, meeting data privacy and security standards, and adhering to educational guidelines. Navigating these bureaucratic procedures required patience, persistence, and a deep understanding of the education landscape.
We had to dedicate significant time and effort to build relationships with school administrators, teachers, and education policymakers. It meant actively engaging with stakeholders, participating in conferences and industry events, and staying updated with the latest changes in educational policies. Although it was a learning curve, it allowed us to build a strong foundation of trust and credibility within the education community.
Moreover, adapting our platform to meet the diverse needs of public schools and ensuring equitable access to education for all students posed its own set of challenges. We had to address issues such as the digital divide, where some students lacked access to necessary devices or reliable internet connections. We worked on finding creative solutions, such as partnering with organizations that provided resources to bridge this gap and collaborating with schools to offer offline learning options.
Overall, while there were difficulties to overcome, we viewed each challenge as an opportunity to learn, grow, and refine our approach. These experiences strengthened our resilience and helped us build a more robust and adaptable EdTech platform.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Herd is a leading EdTech company that specializes in providing a cloud-based communication management platform for schools. We are known for our unique approach to school communication, offering an in-house private communication network that seamlessly integrates into any school system.
What sets us apart from others is our unwavering commitment to creating a comprehensive and secure communication hub for the entire school community. Our platform offers a searchable log of all communication and knowledge, ensuring that important information is easily accessible when needed. We take pride in our real-time messaging platform, which keeps students engaged and enables efficient communication between teachers, students, administrators, and parents.
At Herd, we understand the importance of student safety and the security of data. That’s why we have made it a constant focus to provide a platform that adheres to the highest security standards and data privacy regulations. We want our users to have peace of mind knowing that their information is protected.
One aspect that makes us particularly proud is our ability to appeal to each party within the school community uniquely. We have tailored our platform to meet the specific needs and requirements of parents, teachers, students, and administrators. By offering personalized features and functionalities, we foster a sense of unity while celebrating the individuality of each user.
We want readers to know that Herd is not just an ordinary communication app. We are a comprehensive solution designed to streamline and enhance school communication. With Herd, parents can stay informed about their children’s academic progress and school activities in one centralized platform. Teachers can efficiently communicate and engage with students, while administrators have the tools to oversee and manage all communication channels.
Our offerings and services are centered around improving the overall school experience. From simplifying communication to fostering collaboration and empowering learning, Herd is dedicated to creating a digital harmony that combines the best of traditional school practices with the benefits of modern technology. We believe in providing a structured yet flexible platform that meets the evolving needs of schools and their communities.
In summary, Herd is all about connecting school communities effortlessly. We are passionate about transforming communication and empowering school communities to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
The Covid-19 crisis has indeed brought forth several interesting and important lessons, particularly in the realm of remote learning and the dependence on technology. The pandemic has forced schools and educational institutions worldwide to adapt quickly and transition to remote learning environments, which has highlighted the critical role that technology plays in education.
One key lesson we’ve learned is the significance of equitable access to technology and internet connectivity. The sudden shift to remote learning revealed the digital divide that exists among students, where some lacked the necessary devices or reliable internet connections to participate fully. This has emphasized the urgent need for efforts to bridge this gap and ensure that all students have equal access to education, regardless of their socioeconomic background.
Additionally, the crisis has underscored the importance of robust and reliable technology infrastructure in education. Schools and teachers had to quickly adapt to online learning platforms, video conferencing tools, and other digital resources to continue delivering instruction remotely. This experience highlighted the need for schools to invest in reliable technology infrastructure, provide training and support for teachers to effectively utilize these tools, and establish protocols for maintaining continuity during times of disruption.
Furthermore, the Covid-19 crisis has highlighted the value of personalized and adaptive learning solutions. With remote learning, students have diverse learning needs and varying levels of engagement. EdTech platforms, like Herd, have been instrumental in providing personalized learning experiences, enabling teachers to tailor instruction, track progress, and provide individualized support to students. This crisis has reinforced the importance of leveraging technology to cater to the unique needs of every student.
Another crucial lesson is the significance of fostering a sense of community and connectivity in remote learning environments. The physical separation caused by the pandemic made it essential to create virtual spaces where students, teachers, and parents could connect, collaborate, and support one another. Platforms like Herd have played a vital role in maintaining communication and building a strong sense of community, ensuring that students still feel connected and engaged despite being physically apart.
In summary, the Covid-19 crisis has accelerated the adoption of remote learning and highlighted the indispensable role of technology in education. It has underscored the need for equitable access to technology, robust technology infrastructure, personalized learning solutions, and a strong sense of community in remote learning environments. These lessons will continue to shape the future of education, emphasizing the importance of incorporating technology effectively and inclusively to enhance learning experiences for all students.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.letsbeherd.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herd_syndicate/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089325364975
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/herdsyndicate/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/_Herd_
Image Credits
Sandra Hood
