Ed Tech Made for the Classroom

Welcome from Laura Bresko, Co-Founder and CEO

A photo of TeacherMade Co-founder and CEO Laura L. Bresko
Laura Bresko, Co-Founder and CEO

I’ve been an ed tech publisher since 1995, back when CD-ROMs were first arriving on the scene. It’d been a couple of decades since I’d been at the front of a classroom so I took an opportunity to return in 2019. Lots had changed but much was the same. The smartboards and chromebooks were a huge improvement, but there was still a lot of paper floating around. Our district paid big $$$ for assessment systems while reams of useful formative data was being thrown in the trash every day.Ā  That’s because paper-based activities were still on center stage. Gradebook, lesson planning, and assessment technologies were around, but teaching and learning was mostly analog. And every day, all of those student papers had to be hand-graded. Ugh!

My co-founder, Brad Smith, and I started designing a web-based teacher productivity tool that would turn the printed pages of any classroom into engaging digital activities. Teachers would be happier, less stressed, and more productive. They could reuse their favorite materials so they didn’t have to reinvent the wheel… ! And they’d be capturing formative data in an actionable manner.

Welcome to TeacherMade. We launched on September 8th, 2020 and ever since then, we’ve been listening to our TeacherMaders to craft what is now the most feature-rich classroom teaching tool available today.

TeacherMaders are such a devoted group! That’s because the platform works like they do–Ā  it’s been teachers building and refining itĀ  from the beginning. Born in one classroom and raised by thousands of teachers in classrooms across our country, TeacherMade continues to free up teachers’ time to do what they do best– positively impact students’ lives and our nation’s future.Ā  Ā — Laura Bresko, CEO – September 2024

Meet the TeacherMade Team Members
Who Take Care of You Every Day

Though there are many professionals who make TeacherMade possible, from software developers and data analysts to content specialists and web designers, these are the people youā€™re most likely to interact with. Take a moment to get to know them so theyā€™re more than just a voice on the phone or an email in your Inbox!

Jen Chorma, Account Management
Team Leader

A photo of Jen Chorma, TeacherMade's Sales Manager.
Jen Chorma, Sales Manager

Hi! Iā€™m Jennifer Chorma. I have been an educator for 29+ years. I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Geneseo State University in NY and a Masters of Education degree in School Counseling from the University of West Alabama. I started out as a research chemist but that was not for me. (I like to talk too much šŸ˜‰ ) I have a passion for all things education so I went into the classroom in (ahemā€¦) 1992. I became familiar with TeacherMade as a high school chemistry Teacher when COVID hit and everyone was scrambling to come up with a ā€œremote education plan.ā€ TeacherMade was a LIFESAVER, so I became the School Sales Manager in addition to my virtual teaching job.

I have two daughters who are amazing. My oldest daughter works and takes care of my grandson. My youngest daughter is attending Valdosta State University where she is a member of the Cross Country Track team.

Currently my husband and I are ā€œdigital nomadsā€ living and working in our 29 foot RV as we travel around the country. Our goal is to run and hike in as many national and state parks as we can before our knees give out, while sampling the local pizza places along the way. Weā€™ve visited 40 states so far and are looking forward to seeing all of this magnificent country.

Angela Burson, Account Manager

Angela Burson, Account Manager

After graduating from McMurry University, I embarked on a rewarding journey in education, teaching high school English for 10 years. I then transitioned into the role of Technology Integrator at Clyde CISD, an early adopter of TeacherMade, where I spent 15 years. During this time, I found great joy in helping teachers conquer their technology challenges and discover how it could enhance their teaching and lives.

Now, Iā€™m thrilled to bring my experience to TeacherMade in a new role. Having played a key part in shaping many of the platform’s features that educators rely on today, Iā€™m excited to continue supporting teachers in even greater ways.Ā 

Outside of work, I love spending time with my husband, our three children, and our dogs.

Matt Slattery, TeacherMade's Product Manager

A photo of Matt Slattery, TeacherMade's Product Manager
Matt Slattery - Your Answer Man

Matt comes to TeacherMade with 30 years experience making Teacher-friendly platforms and curricular materials. In the late 90s, he created the first instructional management system for The Learning Company School Division bringing popular home titles like Word Munchers, Cluefinders and Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing to the classroom. From there, he was a founding member and ran product development for SkillsTutor, a basic skills instruction tool that served millions of students. After eight years at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, he served as CTO of Calvert Education for some time, andā€¦Ā Ā 

Finally! He arrived at TeacherMade where he fit right into our company’s culture of respect and drives our mission of making Teacherā€™s lives easier each day. (He’s had many years of practice as Mattā€™s wife of 35 years is an Early Childhood Educator šŸ™‚ )

Nathan Cofield - TeacherMade's School Success Manager

A photo of Nathan Cofield, TeacherMade's Digital Marketing Specialist
Nathan Cofield, Digital Marketing Specialist

Hailing from the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Nathan spent five years teaching AP US History, Government, and Economics at Princeton ISD while coaching football and basketball.

Now at TeacherMade, he’s putting all his teacher skills to work as a writer,Ā  professional developer, marketing specialist, and data analyst.

Driven by his own experience with teacher burnout, Nathan’s mission is to make everyone aware of TeacherMade to help save educators time and reignite their passion for teaching. Off the clock, he enjoys disc golf and family time.

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Kate Howie, Teacher Success Specialist

A photo of Kate Howie, TeacherMade/s Customer Success Manager
Kate Howie, Customer Success

Hello! Most of you know me as TeacherMade Kate. My main focus is making sure all of our TeacherMaders are finding answers that lead to success when using our amazing app.

I graduated from the University of Connecticut with a BA in Business Administration and live in Boston, Massachusetts now. Between graduation andĀ  joining the TeacherMade adventure in September of 2020, I completed a year of service with City Year. I worked as a math tutor in a 10th grade classroom at The Jeremiah E Burke High School in Dorchester, Massachusetts. It was an awesome and humbling experience where I developed great respect for the work that Teachers do everyday!

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