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?
Bryan
O'Donnell
Publishing Lead
Bryan
O'Donnell
Publishing Lead
Bryan brings 15+ years of editing and publishing experience to inquirED, having worked on magazines, textbooks, and a number of other types of print and digital materials. He values helping others through his work and looks forward to using his attention to detail and other editing skills to help teachers and students in their journeys. Bryan joined inquirED in January 2022.
What’s your inquiry?
What is the "why" and how does it help others?
Erin
Provenzano
Supervising Manager, Curriculum Materials Design
Erin
Provenzano
Supervising Manager, Curriculum Materials Design
After earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, Erin discovered a passion for creating fun, engaging artwork for children. Collaborating with educators across the country, she has worked for over eight years designing hundreds of educational products aimed toward grades Pre-K–8. Her work is imbued with joy and purpose knowing the positive impact it has on the next generation. She joined the inquirED team in the spring of 2021.
What’s your inquiry?
How can I contribute more beauty to the world?
Talia
Prusky
Junior Product Manager
Talia
Prusky
Junior Product Manager
Talia joined the inquirED team in 2025, bringing experience as a teacher, content leader, and instructional coach in district and charter schools across New York and Colorado. In her work as a social studies and special education teacher, she worked to create materials that centered the identities and experiences of all learners to ground learning in meaningful classroom conversation. This commitment now informs her approach to shaping curricular tools that support inclusive, inquiry-driven learning. Talia holds a BA in Education and Social Policy, and an MA in Teaching.
What’s your inquiry?
How can we create educational materials that are both culturally responsive and effective across contexts?
Rukiya
Ross
Head of Operations
Rukiya
Ross
Head of Operations
A proud Detroiter, Rukiya noticed the lack of equity in classroom materials during her high school years. This sparked a passion in education that she explored through her studies at Princeton and ultimately continued to pursue in her professional life. A builder and process lover, Rukiya spent eight years building the operations function at a literacy organization. She enjoys ensuring processes are accessible and reflective of organization values, particularly DEI. Rukiya joined inquirED in summer 2024.
What’s your inquiry?
How can processes reflect DEI principles and support more children having access to high-quality instruction?
Jeremiah
Satterthwaite
Curriculum Materials Design Lead
Jeremiah
Satterthwaite
Curriculum Materials Design Lead
With a B.A. in Fine Art and an M.A. in Special Education, Jeremiah has long worked at the intersection of art and education. As a creative professional, he has worked in design, photography, and creative media production. As an educator, he has taught special education, technology, and life skills. In February 2022, Jeremiah joined the inquirED team, bringing all of his experiences together to impact students and support teachers. Jeremiah lives in Minneapolis, MN.
What’s your inquiry?
In a Venn diagram of Universal Design, Culturally Responsive Education, and Aesthetics: How do I make work that lives at the center?
Cooper
Schauer
Operations & Design Associate
Cooper
Schauer
Operations & Design Associate
Cooper Schauer is a graphic designer with experience in both web and print design, bringing a strong foundation in visual communication and digital media. His work focuses on creating clear, engaging designs that support educational content and strengthen brand identity across platforms. Cooper holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Iowa State University, earned in May 2025, and an Associate of Arts degree from Harper College. He joined the inquirED team in January 2026 and manages the Des Moines office.
What’s your inquiry?
How can I make other people’s lives easier?
Elise
Schimke
Growth Marketer
Elise
Schimke
Growth Marketer
Elise is a strategic storyteller and project manager with a decade of experience creating channel- and audience-specific content for nonprofit, education, and science organizations. She holds a Master of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University and Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
What’s your inquiry?
How can communications shift our perspectives?
Kelsey
Schoppen
Growth Marketing Manager
Kelsey
Schoppen
Growth Marketing Manager
Kelsey has always had a passion for teaching and sharing her knowledge. At an early age, she started teaching her younger brother (and anyone else who would listen) with a toy chalkboard. This passion evolved into a career teaching Language Arts to middle school students and later into her work in EdTech, talking and teaching about the tools that make teacher’s lives a little easier. Besides her love of education, she enjoys being outside, kayaking, reading, chai tea lattes, and her dog Hurley. She joined the inquirED team in the Spring of 2024.
What’s your inquiry?
How much better would the world be if our pets could talk to us?
Mandi
Schultz
Associate Director, Publishing
Mandi
Schultz
Associate Director, Publishing
Mandi comes to inquirED with over a decade of classroom teaching experience. She earned a Master's in Education from Wright State University and went on to teach in both Cincinnati and Dayton, OH. During her time as a classroom educator, she was immersed in project and inquiry-based learning. These experiences helped shape her belief that cultural responsiveness and active investigation are both necessary in developing engaged and critical thinkers. Mandi joined the inquirED team in January 2022.
What’s your inquiry?
How can we cultivate respect, equity, and inclusion?
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