The Tech Edvocate is pleased to produce its “Trailblazers of Edtech” series. This series profiles the top edtech influencers in the world. To create this series, The Tech Edvocate editorial team exhaustively researched the movers and shakers of edtech. To frame our methodology, we decided to define the term “edtech influencer” broadly. In this series, you will find administrators, bloggers, journalists, policymakers, researchers, innovators, businessmen, activists, etc. who are transforming the edtech space as we know it.

The influencers that we chose are all active in the area of edtech, doing something influential in edtech, well-known throughout the edtech landscape, and making an impact globally. We are excited to witness how these influencers continue to change the world this year, and we are anxious to see who will stand on the shoulders of these giants, and as a result, become a part of this series. In this installment of “Trailblazers in Edtech,” we will profile Todd Brekhus, President of myON.

Todd Brekhus

President of myON

What His Current Focus Is: Todd Brekhus has made it his goal to personalize literacy in a way that will transform learning for all students. With myON and its expansive literacy ecosystem, Todd and his team aim to provide unlimited access to reading beyond the classroom walls. myON works to inspire the love of reading and learning by leveling the playing field with unlimited access to books and furthers the ability to provide unlimited opportunities for all students.

How He’s Transforming the EdTech Space: Todd and his team have built a literacy ecosystem that offers students instant access to more than 13,000 enhanced digital books with multimedia supports, daily news articles, real-time assessments, and close reading tools.

What His Background Is: Todd led the digital product concept and planning at Capstone Digital for myON and other digital products since 2008. Previously, he was the VP and Chief Marketing Officer for PLATO Learning, president and COO of Learning Elements, and Education Program Director for MCI WorldCom, where he helped develop and implement the Marco Polo program. Before that, he spent eight years in education as a teacher, department chair, and technology director.

What May Surprise You About Him: Todd’s very first job in 1982 was unpacking Apple II computers for the head librarian in the Bloomington Public School District.

Twitter: @ToddBrekhus

Email: tbrekhus@myon.com