How Schools Can Use Data and AI to Improve Teaching at Scale with Matt Kennard of BetterLesson

Feb 5, 2025

Matt Kennard, CEO of BetterLesson, shares his insights from a rich background in finance and education. He discusses the transformative power of High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) in K-12 education, emphasizing their role in enhancing teaching and student outcomes. Kennard highlights how data and AI can personalize learning, improve teacher retention, and support Career and Technical Education (CTE). He advocates for educators to regain control over EdTech to better shape the future of teaching.

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INSIGHT

HQIM Movement's Impact

The HQIM movement has raised the quality of curricula across the industry by setting higher standards.
This benefits districts by providing more choices and ensures higher quality materials, regardless of the provider.

ADVICE

Curriculum Implementation Support

Effective curriculum implementation requires sustained support at every level, from superintendents to teachers.
Consider the specific needs of vulnerable populations, like new teachers and principals, during transitions.

ANECDOTE

Roxbury Latin's Influence

Matt Kennard's educational background at Roxbury Latin instilled a systematic approach to learning.
The school emphasized monitoring and systematizing the educational experience, which influenced Kennard's perspective.

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Matt Kennard is the CEO of BetterLesson (which offers High-quality K-12 professional development for educators and administrators, ensuring successful districtwide implementation of HQIM.) and former CFO & Head of Operations for LearnZillion, a K-12 digital core curriculum provider. At LearnZillion, he oversaw the expansion of curricular offerings through partnerships with leading OER curriculum providers and led the company's sale to Weld North Education. Previously, Matt led strategic M&A activity for iHeartMedia as the Director of Liquidity and Corporate Development. With a background in finance, strategy, and technology, Matt has held roles at Banc of America Securities, Investcorp Technology Partners, Rackspace, and TJX Companies. He holds a B.A. from Yale University in History and Political Science. Matt found his way into edtech in 2017 based on his desire to utilize his hard-earned expertise to build incredible businesses that make a difference in the lives of students and educators.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

The impact of High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) on K-12 education.
How structured professional learning improves teacher retention and student success.
The role of AI and data-driven decision-making in optimizing education systems.
Why schools must embrace Career and Technical Education (CTE) and skills-based learning.
How educators are regaining control in shaping the future of EdTech.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:28] Matt’s journey from finance to leading Better Lesson in professional learning.
[00:05:47] How Better Lesson helps schools implement effective teacher development.
[00:09:03] The HQIM movement and its role in improving curriculum quality.
[00:11:42] The shift towards skills-based learning and Career and Technical Education.
[00:16:36] Better Lesson’s acquisition of ABLE to enhance scheduling and resource use.
[00:24:21] Why data-driven decision-making is critical for education leaders.
[00:30:01] How AI and machine learning can improve education without increasing workload.
[00:36:52] The growing influence of educators in shaping the future of EdTech.

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This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Starbridge. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.