Christa Robles

I attribute my success to my experience as an educator and my commitment to supporting teachers beyond the classroom. I began my career as a classroom teacher, where I gained firsthand insight into the challenges educators face every day. As my passion for making a broader impact grew, I chose to transition out of the classroom to help improve teachers’ work by providing them with the tools, resources, and support they need to succeed.

My inspiration came directly from my time in the classroom, where I saw how demanding and complex the profession can be. That experience motivated me to step into a role where I could serve as a trusted partner to school districts, becoming a go-to resource they can rely on for guidance and solutions. Being able to work alongside districts and educators to make their jobs more effective and manageable is what drives my continued success and fulfillment in this field.

The best career advice I’ve ever received is to show up authentically. Being true to who I am has allowed me to build genuine relationships, earn trust, and lead with confidence. When I bring my whole self to my work, I’m able to make a more meaningful impact and create connections that support long-term success.

Be authentic. Don't dim your light just because someone might think you're "too much". Wear that hot pink suit with sparkly boots. Most importantly, support other women. Hype them up. Celebrate their wins, because you might be the only other person who is besides them.

The biggest challenge—and opportunity—in my field is helping school districts identify their needs and provide solutions that make their work easier and more effective. There are many stakeholders in school districts and they all have different goals and needs. Being able to weave how a tool can help multiple departments is something that requires knowledge those who have been in a classroom have and know what solutions work for which department. For too long, departments have been siloed with many not realizing they can use the same solution as another department. It's my job as a partnerships manager to connect the dots, bring in all stakeholders, and really uncover what their needs are across the board. EdTech companies need to acknowledge that there is a wealth of knowledge in former educators moving into the EdTech world and use this to their advantage when looking for new employees.

The values most important to me are curiosity, connection, and balance. I love learning—whether it’s through reading or playing trivia—spending quality time with my husband kayaking or golfing, and hanging out for my 2 dogs and cat. These passions keep me grounded and bring joy to both my personal and professional life while also allowing me to be a lifelong learner.