Jen Jones is the founder of Hello Literacy and a passionate literacy educator with over 30 years of experience. She has dedicated her career to transforming reading instruction through evidence-based practices, empowering teachers, and inspiring students. From classroom teaching to national conferences, she develops tools and trainings that make literacy accessible, meaningful, and impactful.
Company: Hello Decodables
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Jen Jones: Thank you, I’m honored to be here! I’m Jen Jones, founder of Hello Literacy, where we support educators with evidence-based strategies to teach reading more effectively. With over 30 years in education, I’ve worn many hats from classroom teacher to national literacy consultant. At Hello Literacy, we develop professional development tools, online courses, and in-classroom resources that empower teachers and help students become confident, capable readers.
What emerging technology trends do you believe will have the most profound impact in the next 5-10 years?
Jen Jones: In education, I believe AI-powered adaptive learning platforms and real-time data analytics will transform how we personalize instruction. Coupled with AR/VR applications, these technologies can create more immersive and engaging learning experiences. Tools that provide instant feedback to both teachers and students will also drive more effective literacy instruction and intervention.
Can you share a specific technological breakthrough from your company that has the potential to reshape your industry?
Jen Jones: At Hello Literacy, we’ve recently enhanced our digital professional development platform to include on-demand video coaching and interactive assessments aligned with the Science of Reading. This allows educators to apply evidence-based strategies in real time, track their progress, and receive support anytime, anywhere. It’s reshaping how teachers grow professionally—more flexibly and effectively than ever before.
How do you approach innovation while balancing the need for practicality and market readiness?
Jen Jones: As a former classroom teacher, I always ask: “Will this work in a real classroom tomorrow?” Innovation at Hello Literacy starts with listening to educators. We pilot new tools with real teachers, gather feedback, refine them, and ensure they’re classroom-ready. Our goal is to innovate in ways that are not only research-driven but also teacher-friendly and immediately actionable.
What challenges do you face in integrating cutting-edge technology into existing business models?
Jen Jones: One challenge is bridging the gap between educational research and tech development. Teachers are often overwhelmed, and introducing new tools can feel like “one more thing.” So we have to ensure our technology simplifies their workload, integrates smoothly with what they already use, and clearly improves student outcomes. Adoption only happens when value is obvious and ease-of-use is high.
How do you foster a culture of innovation within your organization to stay ahead in the tech race?
Jen Jones: We foster innovation by staying deeply connected to the classroom. Our team is encouraged to think like educators and problem-solvers first. We hold regular brainstorming sessions, collaborate with our educator community, and continually ask ourselves: “How can we make teaching easier and learning more effective?” Innovation isn’t just about tech – it’s about empathy, agility, and impact.
