Behind the Scenes, Ahead of the Curve: The Unsung Power of Data Integration in K12 EdTech
In the worlds of K-12 education and EdTech, some of the most powerful contributions are the ones you never see.
That’s exactly how we like it when it comes to data integration. When things work smoothly—when systems talk to each other effortlessly, when data flows cleanly between platforms—it often feels like magic. But it’s not magic. It’s hard-earned experience, technical know-how, and a whole lot of empathy for the educators we support.
When it’s working well, nobody notices—and honestly, that’s how it should be. Data integration is meant to be invisible, quietly connecting the dots so that everything just works. But even behind the scenes, it plays a vital role in helping districts run more smoothly.
At Education Advanced, we see data integration as one of the many ways we can lighten the load for educators—by saving time, reducing friction, and helping their tools work together seamlessly.
From School Business to EdTech: Speaking the Same Language
I spent 28 years in school business, managing everything from Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems to Child Nutrition and Library Management Systems. But my deepest work was always around Student Information Systems (SIS). They’re the central nervous system of any school district—the hub where everything connects.
When I came to Education Advanced in 2021, I brought all that experience with me. I didn’t just understand the software—I understood the processes, pressures, and people behind the data.
I’ve been in the shoes of our customers. I know what it feels like to be juggling deadlines, compliance requirements, and complex student needs with limited time and staffing. That’s why this role isn’t just a job—it’s a continuation of a career in service to public education.
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Bridging Gaps and Building Trust
Our data integration team—shoutout to Starrla!—is in the business of making our tools work for districts, no matter their size or staffing structure. We step in not just as technicians, but as true partners. When districts are too stretched to handle the nitty-gritty of data transfer, we meet them where they are. We don’t just identify the problem—we often help solve it after hours, off-script, and without hesitation. Because we’ve been there.
This support goes far beyond onboarding. Sometimes, districts that have used our tools for years run into a snag they just can’t untangle. But because we understand both their systems and ours—deeply and practically—we can often step in and get things back on track. That’s not a standard level of service, and we know it. But it’s how we operate at Education Advanced.
One of the most impactful ways we serve is by helping simplify the complex. Many districts, especially smaller or understaffed ones, don’t have the technical bandwidth to navigate the intricacies of data integration. They might not know which data connects where, or how to prepare their systems for smooth information flow. And that’s okay.
That’s where we come in—not to overwhelm with jargon, but to clarify. We help interpret what’s really needed, translate requests into actionable steps, and offer guidance that feels approachable, not intimidating. It's not just about moving data—it’s about making sure the process supports the people doing the work.
We see it as our job to reduce friction, build trust, and make life just a little easier for the educators on the other end. And in doing so, we get to be part of something bigger: helping schools run more smoothly so students can thrive.
We're Not Replacing Your SIS—We're Helping You Get More From It
A key message I always want to communicate: Education Advanced doesn’t aim to replace your SIS! We complement it. We amplify its power.
Your SIS is doing heavy lifting: attendance, grading, scheduling, feeding kids, managing libraries. It’s not built for the focused analysis a testing coordinator or counselor needs in the moment. That’s where tools like TestHound and Pathways shine. We pull just the right data, cleanly and securely, to help educators make decisions—without relying on massive spreadsheets and manual processes.
Speaking of spreadsheets! For so many educators, that’s just the way it’s always been done. Or, it’s the only option they know. Spreadsheets are familiar, quick, and accessible—but they’re also fragile, limited, and easy to outgrow when the work gets complex.
We’ve seen the pitfalls firsthand: pulling data from multiple systems, copy-pasting into massive sheets, trying to make sense of it all while juggling a hundred other responsibilities. It’s time-consuming, error-prone, and it asks too much of people whose time is already stretched thin.
That’s where our solutions come in—not to replace what’s working, but to offer a better, more reliable way to manage and act on the data that matters most.
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Proactive, Not Reactive
One of the things I’m most proud of lately is our shift toward proactive outreach. Last season, Starrla and I initiated a new approach to help districts cleanly transition between school years—before testing season started. It was a small shift, but it had a big impact.
Districts told us how much they appreciated it. They didn’t even know they needed it, but once they had it, they were grateful. And to us, that’s the magic: anticipating a need, stepping in before it becomes a problem, and being the quiet partner who makes everything just work.
The Value We Add
When data integration is seamless, it frees educators to focus on what matters most—students. Every minute we save them is a minute they can spend helping a child, coaching a teacher, supporting a school.
And while our work might stay in the background, I am always excited to shine a light on the value we bring. Our experience, our dedication, our perspective as former school business leaders—that's what makes our work different. That’s what makes Education Advanced different.
We’re not just supporting a product. We’re building better systems, stronger partnerships, and smoother paths forward for the people working tirelessly in K-12 every single day.
