“We noticed all of these inequities and problems. Let’s start a business and provide a product for students”
By Stephanie Suazo
About us
One size doesn’t fit all. Learnabi was created by co-founders Rahel Tekola and Niara Valerio in 2017. After moving to New York at 13 years old, Niara had to navigate high school on her own. Rahel, whose parents were immigrants, had to learn everything from scratch. Rahel and Niara met as Graduate students at Columbia University. They quickly became close friends after realizing they both had a passion for education. While working with students in the South Bronx, Rahel and Niara realized that many of them were struggling to have their needs met in and out of the classroom. They noticed the demand for a more individualized way of learning. New York City alone is one of the largest school districts in the country. Rahel and Niara wanted to bridge the gap between students and learning. They put on their thinking caps and asked the most important question: How do we fill that gap? That’s when Learnabi was born. Learnabi offers a community to learners of all ages to create and consume bite-sized educational content on the app. Learnabi’s philosophy revolves around inclusion, community, and guidance for learners who may need additional support. Statistics show that in 2018 alone, 2.1 million students between the ages of 16–24 dropout of school. On average, the student to teacher ratio is about 16:1, leaving little room to assist with one-on-one learning. Students are more likely to engage in learning if they feel supported. Learnabi offers fun customized content for every student to learn at their own pace. We want them to feel included, rather than excluded.
What we stand for
School curriculums aren’t as effective as we think. The question is simple: What does the student need? Following academic curriculums may make some students feel disinterested in what they’re learning. Outdated, rigid, and unrelatable curriculums were instilled in schools to pressure students to learn their way. While some students excelled, others felt like they can’t perform adequately. This idea of passing or failing may leave students feeling discouraged. Academic pressure, test taking standards, and low-esteem may also affect the students' academic performance. First, we must understand that every student has different preferences and styles of learning. We wanted to provide something that can keep students engaged, informed, and motivated. The purpose of our business is to provide the product directly to the student. Traditional EdTechs sell to schools and districts. Instead, we want the students to be the stakeholders in their own academic journey. At Learnabi, we put the students at the very center of our product. They will have the opportunity to choose how they will learn and the type of content they consume, all while doing it at their own pace.
How we got here
In 2017, co-founders Rahel Tekola and Niara Valerio were pursuing their Master’s degrees. During that time they were tutoring students in the South Bronx. They noticed a disconnect between students, service providers, and educators. Rahel and Niara wanted to help students. They had an idea to help motivate students around the country and they knew large school districts could benefit from this. Soon they realized that every student learns differently and every school has varying resources. Rahel and Niara knew they had to do something fast. Students who are chronically absent or having difficulties with their academics were at high risk of dropping out. So, Rahel and Niara embarked on a new journey: We noticed all of these inequities and problems. Let’s start a business and provide a product for students. After working on their degrees and building a new business, they were determined to bring a viable product. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, education changed forever. Everything is becoming more accessible for students online. Rahel and Niara found this to be an opportunity to create a mobile app for students to learn digitally together.
Where we are going
Learnabi encourages students to support one another. We hope to bring a collaborative yet independent form of learning. By using the Learnabi app, students can make 2 minute long videos ranging from Mathematics, Science, all the way to How to Cook. Students will use the Learnabi app to post content while learning at the same time. Each student will also have the opportunity to create a profile and sign up to be part of the Learnabi community. As a member of the community, students will be able to browse through a variety of different content made by other students. If the student wants additional help, they have the option to comment on videos, private message each other, or start a group chat. We highly encourage students to interact, respect, and learn from one another. Learnabi is also working diligently to create a safe space for everyone. We ask that everyone be respectful and kind to students of different backgrounds, races, and ethnicities. Learnabi embraces diversity and expects the same from its users. Any bullying of any kind will not be tolerated nor permitted. We are excited to provide a positive environment and platform for learning. Join the waitlist and we hope to see you on the app!
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. We will post new topics every Monday.
