
Implementation Series, Part 1: The Missing Instructional Layer with Vidya Sundaram and Elisabeth O'Bryon
From EdTech Startup Showcase by BE Podcast Network
May 29, 2026 · 29 min · Episode 29
About this episode
The episode discusses the missing instructional layer in school-home communication and how it affects family engagement.
Today we're excited to bring you part one of a series from Family Engagement Lab. Co-founders Vidya Sundaram and Elisabeth O'Bryan join us to discuss: How the common idea of “family engagement” differs from what families actually need The “missing instructional layer” in school-home communication The difference between communication that informs families and communication that actually supports learning How this shift changes the role of teachers, school leaders, and the system If schools got this right, what would families experience differently day to day? Learn more about Family Engagement Lab: https://www.familyengagementlab.org About the guests Vidya Sundaram is co-founder and CEO of Family Engagement Lab. Over her nearly 20-year career in family engagement, Vidya has managed development, research, and strategy for digital resources used by more than half of US families with school-aged children. Before founding Family Engagement Lab, Vidya led research and insights at GreatSchools, championing a test and learn culture across the organization. Vidya also has an extensive background in software engineering and technology project management to engage diverse partners, and…
People in this episode
Guests: Vidya Sundaram, Elisabeth O'Bryon
Topics covered
- family engagement
- instructional layer
- school-home communication
- teacher roles
- learning support
Keywords
- family engagement
- instructional layer
- school communication
- teacher roles
- learning support
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Family Engagement Lab, GreatSchools
Places: US, Stanford University, UCLA, UCLA Anderson School of Management
More episodes of EdTech Startup Showcase
- Trading the Classroom for a Startup with Mike Cronley · February 12, 2026 · 29 min
- Family Engagement Lab with Vidya Sundaram & Elisabeth O'Bryon · February 5, 2026 · 28 min
- Jamie Rosenberg, Founder & Executive Chairman of ClassWallet · January 20, 2026 · 31 min
- Inside Greenville County's System for Improving Instruction Through Classroom Observation Data · October 3, 2025 · 28 min
- Relevancy and Authenticity with Kali Frederick of High Tech High Graduate School of Education · August 1, 2025 · 27 min
- Class Composer CEO Mike Cronley on Addressing Inequitable Elementary Class Assignments · June 13, 2025 · 35 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the EdTech Startup Showcase podcast page.