Miami alum builds educator support platform rooted in classroom experience
Miami alum builds educator support platform rooted in classroom experience
Lauren (Schmidberger) Girgash did not set out to become an entrepreneur. She set out to be a teacher.
A 2014 graduate of Miami University’s integrated English language arts education program, Girgash spent eight years teaching language arts at both the high school and middle school levels across three schools in Ohio and Virginia. Those classroom experiences now shape her work as co-founder of the Whole Teacher Department, a platform that supports educators through accessible professional learning and peer connection.
Whole Teacher Department brings educators from across the country together to share practical strategies, ask meaningful questions, and engage in professional learning that reflects the realities of teaching. The platform emphasizes bite-sized strategies and hands-on learning designed to fit into educators’ schedules while addressing persistent challenges such as burnout and turnover.
The idea grew directly out of Girgash’s time in the classroom. Teaching, she said, is where her heart has always been, and she saw firsthand how often educators are asked to manage increasing demands with limited support. As those pressures intensified nationwide, she wanted to help create a space that reinvigorates educators and centers their voices.
Building that space required navigating a steep learning curve. Girgash launched the venture without formal business training and faced frequent setbacks and financial uncertainty common to early-stage startups. She also balanced building a company alongside her co-founder husband while raising a young child, preparing for another baby, and supporting her husband through his MBA program. She credits steady action and focusing on achievable next steps with helping move the idea forward during periods of uncertainty.
One moment continues to stand out as the venture evolves. With each welcome email to a new user, Girgash includes a photo of the original mind map she sketched in August 2024 when Whole Teacher Department existed only as an idea on paper. The image serves as a reminder of how far the platform has come and what it took to take that initial risk.
Girgash said her time at Miami University played a key role in shaping her path. Her experience in the College of Education, Health, and Society strengthened her confidence as an educator and deepened her understanding of the day-to-day realities teachers face. That foundation, she said, made it possible to clearly identify gaps in educator support and trust her instincts to help build something meaningful to address them.
She encourages students and aspiring entrepreneurs to reflect honestly on their motivations and remain attentive to what is working, even amid setbacks. She also emphasizes the importance of personal well-being, noting that sustaining energy and focus is critical when building something new.
Girgash’s story is featured in EHS Innovates: Founders and Builders, a spotlight series from Miami University’s College of Education, Health, and Society. This new series highlights alumni who are building ventures with purpose across education, health, and society.
EHS Innovates
Innovation thrives at the intersection of passion and purpose. EHS Innovates brings together students, alumni, faculty, and industry partners to explore how entrepreneurial thinking can drive meaningful change in education, health, and society. Through workshops, mentorship, and real-world challenges, we create opportunities to develop solutions that address pressing issues in our fields. Whether you're launching a venture, looking to collaborate, or simply curious about how innovation shapes your discipline, EHS Innovates is your gateway to making an impact.
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(AI tools Grammarly and ChatGPT assisted with this article.)
