How do you become an educational consultant? To answer that question, you first need to understand what one is. Educational consultants use their knowledge and skills to support schools and increase student achievement. This can mean giving teachers advice on the best ways to explain concepts visually, providing suggestions on how to design lessons, or helping schools to efficiently teach with new technology. 

This week we delve into the wisdom and experiences of Tinashe Blanchet, a professional development specialist, former high school math teacher, and author of the book The Freelance Educator: Practical Advice for Starting Your Educational Consulting Business

She has worked in education and teacher training for more than 18 years, helping teachers understand how to use technology to improve their lessons. Tinashe was also a founder and director of a non-profit, a college teacher, and an independent educational consultant. She is now a professional development specialist at Texthelp and a Ph.D. student in mathematics education at Auburn University.

In this episode Tinashe shares her insights on how to become an educational consultant, manage money effectively, and navigate the competitive landscape of educational technology. She emphasizes the importance of putting yourself out there, recognizing and managing scarcity and competition, finding an ally, being open to new opportunities, and connecting with experts in the field.

—William Jeffery is curating Flipboard EDU Podcast

“Coach Jeffery” is an award-winning digital learning educator and principal at Columbia High School in Texas. His tech pedagogy continues to drive him to curate educational content on Flipboard that highlights teaching strategies, edtech, and ways to improve student success. He hosts the “Flipboard EDU Podcast” as yet another way to share resources with peers.