Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Demi Walker.
Hi Dr. Demi, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey as an entrepreneur actually began while I was serving as a district leader in Houston ISD. At the time, I was the Director of Special Populations, and prior to that role, I served as an Interventions Manager, where I was part of a team who helped establish the district’s interventions department. That experience gave me an up-close understanding of the academic challenges schools face and, more importantly, the systems and targeted supports needed to help students close learning gaps.
My work in intervention also became the foundation for my doctoral research. For my dissertation, I focused on teacher perceptions of the effectiveness of campus-specific third-grade reading interventions through the lens of educators. That research reinforced something I had already begun to see in practice: effective intervention cannot be one-size-fits-all. Schools need support that is intentional, data-driven, responsive to their students, and aligned with the specific needs of the campus.
I initially started Education Solutions Now as a one-person consulting company. As I continued working with schools and listening to campus leaders, I realized there was an opportunity to provide a much broader level of support. I expanded the company from consulting alone to a multi-level educational support organization.
Today, Education Solutions Now provides trained interventionists who work directly with students in grades 3–11 to remediate specific skill deficits and help prepare students for success on state assessments and beyond. Our goal is not simply test preparation; we want to identify where students are struggling, provide targeted instruction, and help them build the skills and confidence necessary to experience academic success.
Our work has also expanded beyond direct student intervention. I have a team of experienced consultants who support schools and districts throughout the United States in areas including curriculum and course development, systems implementation, leadership development, and professional development customized to campus- and district-wide needs.
What began as my individual consulting practice has grown into an organization that allows me to bring together many of the things I am most passionate about, education, leadership, research, and creating opportunities for students and educators. My experiences at the campus and district levels helped me understand the challenges from the inside, and now, as an entrepreneur, I have the opportunity to build solutions that directly respond to those challenges. That has really been the heart of my journey and the continued mission of Education Solutions Now.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not always been a smooth road. Entrepreneurship has taught me that you can have a great vision, a strong work ethic, and a service that you know can make a difference, but there will still be challenges that test your patience, confidence, and ability to adapt.
One of my biggest challenges was transitioning from being a district leader to becoming the person responsible for every aspect of a growing company. In a school district, there are departments and systems to support different areas of the work. As an entrepreneur, especially in the beginning, I was the consultant, recruiter, trainer, scheduler, problem-solver, and everything in between. As Education Solutions Now grew from a one-person consulting company into an organization providing interventionists and consultants to multiple schools and districts, I had to learn how to build systems that could grow with us.
Working with school districts also comes with unique challenges. Funding, contracts, procurement processes, background checks, staffing approvals, and changing campus needs can all impact when and how services begin. At the same time, students cannot wait for adults to work through those processes. Many of the students we serve are already one, two, or even three years behind academically, so there is always a sense of urgency behind the work.
Another challenge has been learning that growth sometimes requires saying no, setting boundaries, and making difficult decisions. Every opportunity is not necessarily the right opportunity, and every partnership may not align with your mission. I have had to become comfortable advocating for my company, my team, and the quality of the services we provide.
There have certainly been moments when I questioned whether the challenges were worth it, but then I walk onto a campus, see our interventionists working with students, hear from a principal about the progress students are making, or watch an educator implement something our team helped develop, and I am reminded of why I started.
The struggles have actually helped shape the company. They have made me a stronger leader, taught me to be more strategic, and reinforced the importance of remaining focused on the mission. I have learned that success is not about having a smooth road; it is about continuing to move forward, learning from the difficult moments, and staying committed to the impact you set out to make.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Education Solutions Now was built from my experience as an educator and district leader and my belief that schools need more than generalized solutions, they need support that responds directly to the needs of their students, teachers, and campuses.
What makes our company unique is that we provide support at multiple levels. One of the largest areas of our work is providing trained interventionists who work directly with students in grades 3–11. We use student data to identify specific skill deficits and provide targeted, small-group instruction designed to close academic gaps. Many of the students we serve are performing significantly below grade level, so our interventionists become an additional layer of support for both the students and their classroom teachers.
We also recognize that sustainable improvement requires strengthening the adults and systems surrounding students. Our consultants work with schools and districts in areas such as curriculum development, course development, systems implementation, leadership development, and customized professional development. Rather than bringing a predetermined program into a school, we listen to the campus or district, examine the need, and develop support around that need.
I believe my background gives me a unique perspective because I have sat on both sides of the table. I have been the teacher working directly with students, the campus administrator responsible for improving outcomes, and the district leader responsible for developing and implementing systems across multiple campuses. Now, as a business owner, I understand what school leaders are looking for when they invest in outside support.
For me, Education Solutions Now is much more than a consulting company. It is an extension of the work I have dedicated my career to, creating solutions that give educators the support they need and students greater opportunities to succeed.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
One of my favorite childhood memories is playing school with my younger sister. Of course, I was always the teacher! I remember teaching her how to read and helping her learn to write her name. At the time, it was simply something I enjoyed doing, but looking back, I realize those moments were some of the earliest signs of what would eventually become my life’s work.
There was something special about watching her learn something because I had helped her understand it. That feeling stayed with me. What started as two little girls playing school eventually grew into my passion for education, intervention, and helping students develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed.
It is amazing to think that long before I had any titles, degrees, or a company, I was already doing what I loved, teaching and helping someone else learn.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.edsolutionsnow.com
- Instagram: edsolutionsnow
- Facebook: edsolutionsnow
- Twitter: edsolutionsnow
