Rebekah Gallop

I think what really helped me succeed was recognizing that my teaching experience wasn't something to leave behind, it was actually my superpower. When I first entered the tech space, I dealt with a lot of imposter syndrome. This felt like a very STEM-based field dominated by men, and it was scary at first. I kept asking myself, can I do this? But once I started actually doing the work, I realized that design isn't just about science and technology. It's about solving problems, being creative, talking to people, and having empathy. It's a person-based field, and that completely reframed it for me. My teaching background gave me something invaluable: I understand how instructors think, and I can put myself in their shoes very easily. That experience has been one of the things that gave me a foot in the door. When I interviewed at SchoolLinks, they were excited that I was a teacher. At Turnitin, I'm the only teacher on the UX design team, and that perspective really helps when designing tools for education. I also learned very quickly that being a leader in academic integrity is important, and understanding how systems need to function with proper ethics became central to my work. My team values my prior experience as an instructor, and I've come to see it as a strength that sets me apart. The passion I have for education and technology makes the work feel meaningful, and that keeps me motivated to keep growing and learning.

If you're making a career pivot, think about what you have that is transferable already, the experience that you already bring to the table. I think getting the foot in the door is the hardest part for career transition, so you need to leverage what makes you unique. I started with EdTech because, first of all, as a teacher, I had that experience, but I also had a passion for it. That made it really easy for me to transition, because I had that background knowledge. During the interview process, I asked questions that I think surprised people because of the background I brought from being a teacher, and that helped me stand out. So find what your strengths are and maximize that. Don't try something totally out there right at first if you're trying to break in. Build on your strengths. I also want to say that entering a male-dominated field can feel intimidating. When I first entered the tech space, it felt scary. But I realized that my experience and perspective were valuable, and once I moved past my own self-doubt, I saw that my teaching background was actually a superpower. Your unique experience is what will set you apart, so don't underestimate it.

Right now, one of the biggest challenges in EdTech is navigating how AI integrates into education in a way that's ethical and supportive of learning. We have to be really clear on what the intent is, which is to help students be principled with AI and its customization. A lot of students don't know how to use basic writing skills, and with AI becoming more prevalent, we don't want students relying on AI to do their writing for them. At the same time, when students are doing their own writing, we don't want teachers accusing them of not writing it themselves. It's about using platforms like ours to build trust between students and teachers, so that students can use AI functionality as an educational tool and teachers will know that the student is doing the assignment correctly. That balance is critical. Another challenge is that this is still a male-dominated field, which can create barriers for women entering the space. But I think the opportunity lies in bringing diverse perspectives, especially from people who have been educators, because we understand the day-to-day realities of what teachers and students actually need.

Empathy is at the core of everything I do, both professionally and personally. In my work, I've realized that design is fundamentally about understanding people and having empathy for their needs. My teaching experience taught me how to put myself in other people's shoes, and that's become my superpower as a designer. I care deeply about building trust, especially between students and teachers. With tools like Clarity, I want to create systems where students can prove their authentic work while still being able to use AI responsibly as an educational tool. It's about creating transparency and understanding on both sides. I also value taking initiative and ownership. The work I did to standardize our design systems and develop a responsible AI framework wasn't just about my specific team. It was about making sure we're being principled and ethical as a company, especially since we're leaders in academic integrity. If we don't get this right, we risk losing the trust of instructors and students. Outside of work, I spend time volunteering with Austin Pets Alive, fostering cats and kittens. One of the most memorable experiences was taking in a pregnant mom and her five kittens. The mom was very scared at first and had clearly been in a bad situation, but by the time we had her adopted out, she was the most loving, clingy little velcro kitty who followed me around. That experience taught me a lot about letting things come into your life and also letting them go, and realizing that you can make a positive impact even in a short time. I'm also working on a side project right now, a stress management health and wellness app with a good friend. It's been a way for me to explore how design can support emotional well-being in a more personal, direct way.