Hi! I’m Mrs. Vento! Well, now I can just say Carolyn Vento because two months ago, I became ReadTheory’s Marketing Engagement Manager with thirteen years of teaching experience in the New York City Department of Education under my belt. I am bringing some of the most important lessons I’ve learned to my new role. After all, I was “marketing” to my students every day–trying my best to show them the value of what I was teaching.
Here are 5 lessons from teaching that I’m bringing to ReadTheory’s marketing team:
1. Give the people what they want.
In the classroom, every decision I made was with my students in mind. I thought
about their needs. I thought about their interests. I wanted them to love my class. By taking the time to get to know the students, I had an easier time helping them to succeed.
In marketing, every decision I now make is with the customers in mind. It’s all about their needs when it comes to marketing new products and features. I think about what aspects of ReadTheory would make teachers’ lives easier because it’s human nature to respond more when you know you’re being heard.
I’ve already had the pleasure of interviewing our Teacher of the Year award recipients, and I loved hearing about their authentic, unique classroom experiences. I look forward to meeting with many more educators to learn more about ReadTheory’s effects on student learning.
2. Failure leads to growth.
Each day is different in both teaching and marketing. There are ups and downs, plans change, and sometimes you have to start all over again. I have learned that what some may consider a failure is often an opportunity for growth. I always taught my students this concept as well.
Marketing is a similar game, finding the right language and testing it out. It’s seeing what works and what doesn’t. It’s listening for feedback and improving.
3. Time is money.
A teacher never has enough time in a day. There were many times that I had planned another activity or thought students would finish a test and suddenly the bell would ring and we’d have to continue the next day. With state tests looming and curriculum topics piling up, I knew that every second was valuable and had to plan accordingly, even if it didn’t always work out.
With marketing, I am still part of a fast-paced environment where plans can change unexpectedly, and I must be ready to adapt. I think teachers are natural planners, so creating content calendars and checking off tasks makes me smile.
4. Put a little you in everything you do.
I loved when the friends or family members of my students would say they hoped to be
in my class someday. This was a compliment, as each teacher has his or her own style of teaching. Students knew me as the one who rewarded high grades with stickers and whose classroom was always open for some tutoring at lunch. My classroom was decorated for every holiday, and I couldn’t resist singing in the room when I got comfortable enough.
I think the most successful marketing has a lot of personality. It’s the kind of content that has a voice and right away you recognize the brand. So, I’ll be putting a little bit of myself in everything I create.
5. Passion fuels success.
If you don’t love what you’re doing, it’s going to show. When students see that you are truly passionate about your work, they will be more likely to care as well. When your customers see that you care, they will be more likely to engage with you.
For years I put my all into my lessons, and I plan to do the same with my marketing efforts. I know firsthand the importance of reading comprehension skills across the curriculum. I’m lucky to be working with equally passionate colleagues at ReadTheory, who won’t stop until they get it right.
My “door” is always open.
I want you to know that I’ve been there. I see you. I hear you. I get it. While my classroom has now turned into a home office, I want ReadTheory users to know that I am here if you have any questions or concerns. Please feel free to reach out any time at carolyn@readtheory.org. I can’t wait to see what this school year brings!
