Capital Class

In this episode of Capital Class, host Adam Giery sits down with Jess Gartner, founder of Allovue and current Vice President at PowerSchool, for an unfiltered conversation on the intersection of education, finance, and entrepreneurship. Jess shares her remarkable journey from classroom teacher to edtech trailblazer, driven by a relentless curiosity about one fundamental question: how are school resources allocated, and are we truly funding equity? The episode begins with Jess recounting her early days as a Baltimore City schoolteacher, where she quickly discovered the stark reality of underfunded classrooms. That experience sparked a decade-long mission to reimagine K–12 finance systems—culminating in the launch of Allovue and its eventual acquisition by PowerSchool in 2024. Jess and Adam explore the often overlooked complexities of school budgeting, the unsung heroism of district CFOs, and the emotional toll of entrepreneurship. With candor and conviction, Jess reflects on burnout, resilience, and the hard choices behind building a mission-driven company. She also unpacks why federal COVID-era funding didn’t transform education as some hoped and how we must reframe the conversation about what schools are expected to deliver. Key Moments 04:46 Solving the Student Achievement Gap 09:07 Evolving Role of Modern Schools 13:37 Teachers Subsidizing Classroom Resources 16:32 Public Sector Budget Efficiency 19:10 Balancing Extremes in Business 21:25 Embracing EdTech in Education 27:29 "Deep Problem Understanding through Interviews" 28:25 Understanding Data Gaps in Education 33:44 "Building Amidst Financial Constraints" 36:30 Entrepreneurial Vision and Persistence 39:52 School Budget Scrutiny Surges 41:44 Temporary Emergency School Funds Usage 46:26 Founder Reflects on Life Journey 48:38 Prioritizing Team and Mission Values 54:12 "Leading with Integrity and Resilience" 57:08 "Desert Sands: Otherworldly Experience" 59:04 "Capital Class Podcast Sign-off" Connect with Jess Gartner LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessgartner [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessgartner] Website: https://www.jessgartner.com/ [https://www.jessgartner.com/]

In this episode of Capital Class, recorded live at ASU+GSV 2025, host Adam Giery sits down with Chris Curran, the Founder and CEO of Tyton Partners. A towering figure in education banking and consulting, Curran shares insights from a 25-year journey that spans public policy, entrepreneurship, and over $20 billion in transaction volume across global education markets. Giery and Curran dive into today’s uncertain market landscape, discussing how economic turbulence impacts M&A in the education sector. Curran pulls back the curtain on the complexities of selling an education company, highlighting the risks of "unbanked" deals and the essential role of a trusted advisor in maximizing value for founder-led businesses. Curran also reflects on the founding of Tyton Partners—a firm born from the fusion of public service, Wall Street banking, and entrepreneurial grit—and its mission to serve education enterprises with both capital and counsel. With characteristic candor, he explains how Tyton’s service-driven model and deep sector expertise have reshaped how education companies grow, merge, and thrive. From at-risk learners and skills-to-jobs pathways to the global rise of edtech, Curran offers an unvarnished look at the trends shaping the future. Along the way, he opens up about personal lessons learned, the balance between ambition and family, and the enduring power of mission-driven work. Key Moments 00:00 ASU GSV 2025: Education Industry Evolution 05:08 Common Business Process Pitfalls 08:23 Titan Partners: Education-Focused Ventures 11:50 Global Success in Emerging Markets 16:10 AI's Impact on Education Pathways 17:53 Cultivating Future Company Leaders Connect with Chris Curran LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curranchristopher [https://www.linkedin.com/in/curranchristopher] Website: https://tytonpartners.com/ [https://tytonpartners.com/]

In this episode of Capital Class, host Adam Giery sits down with Jeff Cohen, CEO of FullBloom, a leading provider of special education, instructional intervention, and behavioral health solutions. With a wealth of experience in both education and private equity, Jeff Cohen shares insights into the evolving needs of students requiring special accommodations and the crucial role of public-private partnerships in meeting these demands. Cohen discusses the significant increase in students requiring special education, rising from 8% in 2000 to 14% in recent years, and the growing awareness around diagnoses such as autism. FullBloom steps in to help school systems address these challenges, providing specialized services to support students with severe behavioral needs, trauma backgrounds, and diagnosed disabilities. Throughout the conversation, Cohen emphasizes the importance of early intervention, the integration of education and healthcare, and the power of partnership in driving better outcomes for students. Listeners will gain valuable insights into how specialized education solutions, in partnership with school systems, are transforming the educational experience for students with unique needs, ultimately creating a more inclusive and supportive learning environment. Timestamps 00:00 Special education needs evolving with increased demand. 03:51 Increasing autism challenges schools, partners assist. 07:31 We enhance the school system for specific needs. 11:20 Education and healthcare intersect in addressing needs. 15:17 95% of special ed kids can thrive academically. 17:17 Proper support enables all students to succeed. 20:28 Empower You SEL program utilizes asynchronous coaching. 23:55 Public-private partnerships improve education outcomes. 27:55 Catapult: Largest private US teacher employer, 8,000+. 32:06 Investment community committed to education mission. 36:41 Impressed by talent at Fullbloom leadership meeting. 38:09 Success is team improvement and incredible colleagues. 41:36 Our destiny hinges on prioritizing decisions effectively. Connect with Jeff Cohen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-cohen-35097038 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-cohen-35097038] Website: https://fullbloom.org/ [https://fullbloom.org/]

In this episode of Capital Class, host Adam Giery sits down with special guest Tom Reycraft, CEO of Benchmark Education, to explore his incredible 25-year journey in the education industry, from starting a business in his basement to navigating industry shifts and technological advancements. They discuss the evolving landscape of educational materials, the impact of AI, and the importance of research-driven products and professional development. Tom also shares insights on the cyclical nature of educational trends, the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, and his passion for family, exercise, and travel.  Tune in to hear about Tom's vision for the future of American education and his dedication to the mission of empowering students and teachers through literacy and language arts. Timestamps 00:00 Content development evolved with effective instructional strategies. 05:00 Increased emphasis on research-based foundational skills. 09:10 Teachers need professional development for updated skills. 13:33 Navigating risk in education, learning from challenges. 16:50 Eager to witness growth committed to education. 18:41 Passionate architect prioritizes family and business. 21:22 Benchmark Education produces fine podcasts featuring experts. Connect with Tom Reycraft LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-reycraft-59a53b6 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-reycraft-59a53b6] Website: https://www.benchmarkeducation.com/ [https://www.benchmarkeducation.com/]

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of education and the challenges faced by educators. Our guest, Peter Yorke, is a dedicated middle school educator specializing in special education at Manor Middle School, Texas. He shares his journey from his roots in Ghana to making a remarkable impact in the United States education system.  We explore the educational challenges Peter Yorke overcame in Ghana and the differences he encountered in the U.S. education system. He passionately advocates for re-evaluating the traditional qualifications for teaching and promoting culturally responsive and inclusive classrooms that cater to the diverse needs of students.  Join us as Adam and Peter underscore the Important role of family, community, and interventions in ensuring student success while debunking common misconceptions about what it takes to be an effective teacher. Timestamps 00:00 Transitioning from Africa to the US education. 06:31 Limited resources and challenges shaped the school experience. 09:28 Education should reflect diverse cultural experiences. 12:16 Capital Class by Adam Giery, Strategos Network 15:46 Education opportunities in America motivate me. 20:00 Educators should give all children equal opportunities. 25:40 Be patient, work as a team, stay realistic. Connect with Peter Yorke Website: https://manormiddle.manorisd.net/ [https://manormiddle.manorisd.net/]