Q: What are you trying to achieve with your company?
A: At the risk of sounding dramatic: We want to revolutionize education by empowering teachers as catalysts for change. We help teachers identify challenges and frustrations and then empower them to design their own solutions to those challenges. Rather than waiting for top-down, one-sizefits-few approaches to problems, we train teachers in design thinking and help them implement place-based solutions.
The world is changing quickly, there are big problems to solve, and we need big changes in education to grow the problem-solvers of the future. Teachers are vital to this mission and to helping solve the problems facing humanity.
Q: How did your company come to be?
A: Michelle and Darcy met while working on the PBS Teacher Ambassador Program, designing and facilitating professional learning experiences to help rural educators have access to high-quality learning opportunities. They immediately bonded over a common desire to do MORE. More to empower educators to enact their own ideas; more to infuse relevant content into schools; and more to support teachers as leaders and changemakers.
The Educators’ Lab is our space to play, create, and inspire change.
Darcy Ballegard is a change consultant and co-founder of The Educators’ Lab. After teaching English and theatre for 12+ years, Bakkegard now creates the type of professional development she always wanted—something that helps her improve her classroom without wasting time.
“Talking about education, brainstorming how to make it better, and helping teachers drive change are my passions, hobbies, and loves,” Bakkegard said. “I have a Master’s in Secondary Education, am an ISTE Certified Educator, an experienced international presenter, and a believer in the power of education.
When Bakkegard isn’t teaching, she directs plays with her most recent plays being at West Fargo High School and Teatre B. Bakkegard grew up in Valley City and after stints in London, St. Paul, rural Wisconsin, and Istanbul she now lives in Fargo with her husband Jeff, and 4.5 year old triplets, Kurt, Ben, and Cora.
“We believe the best way to invest in our students is to invest in our teachers,” Bakkegard said. “There is no change in education without investing in the expertise of educators. For every opportunity, solution, innovation, or idea, a teacher is at the heart of its implementation. We believe it’s critical to design spaces and experiences that support teachers to do what they do best: make a difference for young people.”
Q: Why did you join the Dakota Business Lending cohort?
A: Short answer: Cause I had no idea how to start or run a business and wasn’t sure I could do it.
Long Answer: In December of 2019 I gave birth to tiny triplets. Suddenly, I was a stay-at-home mom (who never anticipated making that shift). While I still taught a few continuing education classes for teachers and finished writing a book (The Startup Teacher Playbook), taking care of the triplets was my main focus.
Fast forward to December of 2022. My trio turned three and were poised to start preschool in January. While that had been the plan all along and gave me an opportunity to do more of the work I love, it also meant I was suddenly “unemployed.” While scrolling through Facebook, I saw a post from Michaela Schell about the Entrepreneur District. I went, “Man, that’s cool. She always does such amazing things.” And scrolled on.
Then I stopped. Went back and posted a comment: “What about stay-at-home moms starting a consulting business?” Michaela urged me to apply. I did. And am so gery grateful.
Q: What is the five-year plan for your business?
A: Lead Teacher Empowerment Incubators in five states and help educators design solutions to challenges they face and then fund their innovations to improve teaching and learning.
Host an annual JOY LAB for 500+ educators to help educators rekindle the joy of learning and teaching!
Keynote for local and national conferences about the problem-solving power of being an Ambassador of Joy (doing my first such keynote for the Presentation Prayer Conference at the Sanctuary Event Center on October 10, 2024).
Q: What trends in your industry are you most excited about or concerned by?
A: Excited: The general shift toward personalized learning/learner-centered education for students. It’s the right move to increase authenticity and relevance while building durable, flexible skills. It also provides a framework to show why the work I do— personalized learning for educators is so vital.
Concerned: The growing disillusion with public education and distrust of educators/education.
Q: How do you measure success in your role and for your company?
A: Number of teachers served and the joy of educators as they leave a workshop experience.
Q: What has been the most rewarding part of running your business?
A: Balancing the love of my brain (teaching, innovating, brainstorming) with the love of my heart (my husband/ family).
Q: Is there any technology or innovation that you believe will significantly impact your industry in the next few years?
A: AI. All the talk about AI tutors replacing teachers highlights the need for relevant, authentic learning experiences and emphasizes the critical human role educators serve. If school doesn’t continue to evolve; if the focus is just on facts and standardized tests, then AI will replace educators. But society will crumble. Because that’s not what education is really about. It’s about connection and problem-solving; it’s about mental health and giving every child a place to belong and thrive so they can then belong and thrive in society.
Q: What advice would you give to other business owners out there?
A: Dedicate time. Tap into the resources around you for help—I’m thinking childcare specifically. You cannot do it all. Focus on a few things and do them well.
