Hi! We’re inquirED.
inquirED works to support every teacher with high-quality instructional materials that make inquiry-based learning possible for every student.
Our mission is
inquiry for every student
Teachers and instructional leaders want classrooms that are rigorous and joyful. They want learning that leads to standards mastery and transfers to the real world. But most instructional materials don’t meet this complex challenge. Instead, educators are forced to choose: rigorous or joyful, academic or applicable. inquirED’s instructional materials support educators in navigating that complexity. Together, we make joyful, rigorous, and transferable learning possible for every student.
Like all good stories in education, inquirED’s started in a classroom
Shanti Elangovan founded inquirED with a clear vision: to bring inquiry-based learning to every classroom.
As a former teacher and curriculum leader, she saw firsthand how traditional instruction often left students disengaged, and how inquiry sparked curiosity, deepened knowledge-building, and transformed learning.
But she also knew that teachers needed more than inspiration. They needed well-designed materials that made inquiry doable, not daunting. That’s why she launched inquirED: to support teachers, schools, and districts with high-quality materials that make joyful, rigorous, and transferable learning possible for every student.
Today, that vision lives on in classrooms across the country, where inquirED’s materials spark curiosity, build deep knowledge, and connect learning to the real world. For Shanti—and for inquirED—inquiry isn’t the end goal. It’s the starting point for deeper understanding and lifelong learning.
How we work
01
We are fiercely passionate.
We believe in the power of our work, are infinitely optimistic about its potential, and humbled by the weight of our goals. We keep students, teachers, and their communities at the center of everything.
02
We take responsibility.
We do work we are proud of, act with agency, and take responsibility for all aspects of the work. We hustle, struggle, and then hustle some more. We own our mistakes, ask for and offer support, and solve problems.
03
We check our egos.
We collaborate with trust, humility and empathy, listen intently, and laugh as much as possible. We believe in the immense abilities of each individual, debate vigorously, and make it about the work.
04
We are unfinished.
We take risks, embrace imperfection, and challenge assumptions. We give, receive, and seek courageously honest feedback and stay nimble enough to act – even when it means starting over.
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Meet our team
We are on a mission to engage students and support teachers by making inquiry-based learning possible in every classroom.
Shanti
Elangovan
CEO and Founder
Shanti
Elangovan
CEO and Founder
Shanti Elangovan is the founder and CEO of inquirED. She founded inquirED to help ensure all students, regardless of geography or circumstance, have the opportunity to engage in high-quality inquiry-based learning. As a former elementary school classroom teacher and instructional coach, Shanti believes deeply in high-quality instructional materials that provide both the professional learning and support teachers need to bring inquiry to life in their classrooms. Shanti holds an M.Ed. from Teachers College and an MBA from the University of Iowa.
What’s your inquiry?
How can every child access the same kind of education that I’d want for my children?
Elisabeth Ventling
Simon
Chief Academic Officer and Co-Founder
Elisabeth Ventling
Simon
Chief Academic Officer and Co-Founder
Elisabeth is an ardent educator committed to advancing equity in education, driven by her belief in the transformative potential of high-quality instructional materials, student-centered content, and teacher empathy. With a career spanning over 16 years in public education, she witnessed firsthand the remarkable impact of rigorous, inquiry-based learning on student engagement and achievement. Elisabeth's vision is one where every student, regardless of their background, enjoys equal access to the resources and opportunities necessary for success in both school and civic life. This vision propels her work as Chief Academic Officer at inquirED, where she has been a member of the team since the fall of 2017.
What’s your inquiry?
How can education prepare students to impact their world for the better?
Jeanette
Hardy Baum
Head of Marketing
Jeanette
Hardy Baum
Head of Marketing
Jeanette has spent her career helping educational organizations increase their impact through innovative programming and strategic partnerships. As an intercultural facilitator and edtech enthusiast, she has focused on products that use technology to increase cultural understanding. Jeanette has worked at UC Graduate Schools of Education, Education Pioneers, and the Council for International Education Exchange, and she has partnered with schools and districts across the country to build global citizen programming and international student recruitment pipelines. Jeanette joined inquirED in summer 2018.
What’s your inquiry?
How can I make sure everyone is heard?
Connie
Hebert
Director of Curriculum
Connie
Hebert
Director of Curriculum
Connie has two decades of educational experience, beginning as an elementary teacher in Louisiana and advancing to state and national roles specializing in instructional materials evaluation. She served as a curriculum writer for the Louisiana Guidebook project and as an ELA Content Specialist at EdReports.org. As Louisiana’s Director of Instructional Materials Review, Connie led extensive curriculum evaluations across multiple subject areas. Connie holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Northwestern State University of Louisiana. Passionate about the transformative impact of high-quality instructional materials, Connie joined inquirED in the spring of 2024.
What’s your inquiry?
How can integrating interdisciplinary content improve students' critical thinking and deepen their understanding of the world?
Sarah Milo
Hoskow
Strategic Advisor
Sarah Milo
Hoskow
Strategic Advisor
Sarah has a diverse range of teaching experience, from the very traditional to the very progressive, and believes that inquiry-based learning can be powerful for all students, no matter the school. She’s been a lead teacher in early childhood and upper elementary classrooms, teaching in Washington State, California, Illinois, and Santiago, Chile. More recently, Sarah has focused on mentoring pre-service teachers both in her own classroom as well as through work with Northwestern University. She joined inquirED’s team in the fall of 2017.
What’s your inquiry?
How can family who lives far away feel close?
Tim
Israel
Revenue Operations Lead, Sales Operations
Tim
Israel
Revenue Operations Lead, Sales Operations
Hailing from Philadelphia, Tim has spent his entire professional career within the education space, first in consulting, then as a teacher, and most recently the tech and curriculum world. When he is not working, Tim can be found hiking, finding the best food in town, or seeing live music. Tim joined inquirED in the Summer of 2024.
What’s your inquiry?
How can we reshape and refocus our resources in education to help students learn more about communication and the importance of it as they grow?
Amanda Whitworth
Johnson
Product Manager
Amanda Whitworth
Johnson
Product Manager
Amanda joined inquirED in January 2023, bringing along 10 years of experience supporting teachers and students as an elementary school educator, teacher leader, and school district solutions specialist in educational technology at Clever. Her passion for cultivating curiosity, celebrating differences, and creating community has been at the heart of her career in education. Amanda holds a B.S. in Education and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. She is excited to empower teachers as they implement inquiry-based instruction in their classrooms.
What’s your inquiry?
How can we support students in taking informed action within their communities?
Jessica
Kaiser
Customer Support Specialist
Jessica
Kaiser
Customer Support Specialist
Jessica’s career is dedicated to enhancing educational experiences. Based in Dayton, Ohio, she creates high-quality instructional materials that foster teacher growth and engage students in meaningful learning. A lifelong learner, she holds a Master's in Educational Leadership from Antioch University and has focused her professional development on writing instruction and supporting inclusive, equitable classrooms. At inquirED, she supports educators in implementing Inquiry Journeys, promoting impactful, student-centered learning solutions.
What’s your inquiry?
How can we design instructional experiences that foster student agency while supporting teachers in implementing meaningful, student-centered learning?
Meagan
Lee
Chief of Staff
Meagan
Lee
Chief of Staff
Meagan’s time as an elementary school teacher was fueled by her passion to cultivate communities where real learning could happen. She then went on to coach pre-service and in-service teachers in higher education and school settings, while also supporting curriculum development for various educational organizations. As a granddaughter of Chinese immigrants and Toisan paper sons, Meagan navigates the world of education with their legacy of sacrifice, resilience, and resistance as her guide. Meagan earned a Bachelor’s in Applied Learning and Development (EC-6) and a Master’s in Teacher Leadership, Mentorship, and Professional Development from the University of Texas at Austin. She joined the inquirED team in 2022.
What’s your inquiry?
How can we humanize educational experiences so that all voices and stories flourish?
Monique
Leffler
Partnerships Specialist
Monique
Leffler
Partnerships Specialist
Monique serves as a Partnerships Specialist at inquirED, where she works with schools and districts to support innovative and engaging learning opportunities. Before joining inquirED, Monique spent 13 years in education, where she developed a passion for supporting students, collaborating with educators, and building strong relationships within school communities. She values authentic connections, collaboration, and helping schools find solutions that make a meaningful impact in the classroom.
What’s your inquiry?
How can schools foster curiosity, connection, and meaningful learning for every student?
Jason
Long
Enterprise Partnerships Executive
Jason
Long
Enterprise Partnerships Executive
Jason joins the inquirED team with over 12 years of experience building strategic partnerships in the education space. Jason is excited to share the impact of inquirED's authentic, student-centered approach to instruction. He hopes to help grow inquirED's partnerships with districts across the US.
What’s your inquiry?
How do we motivate students in the classroom to promote lifelong learning and continuous personal growth?
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