The LearnZillion Story

LearnZillion is a learning platform that combines video lessons, assessments, and progress reporting. Each lesson highlights a Common Core standard, starting with math in grades 3-9.

We started LearnZillion at E.L. Haynes Public Charter School in Washington, D.C. because we wanted to solve a problem. We knew what lessons our students needed but we didn’t have enough time to teach each student the right lesson. To create more time, and to share best practices across classrooms, E.L. Haynes’ teachers began to capture their expertise on screencasts. We posted them on a homemade website and coupled them with a short quiz to help us track student progress.

Soon the idea grew.

What if teachers from across the country could contribute to the site? What if new teachers could learn the new Common Core standards from the wisdom of experienced teachers? What if students could get a playlist of lessons that matched their needs? What if, over time, the video lessons got stronger and stronger, as more teachers contributed and the data showed which lessons had the biggest impact? Thanks to funding from the Next Generation Learning Challenge, NewSchools Venture Fund, Achievement Network, and others, we are about to find out!

LearnZillion in the news

LearnZillion featured on NPR show Marketplace

Marketplace reporter, Amy Scott, tells the story of LearnZillion’s origin and explains how it is being used to help students and teachers in schools. Check out the story.

See how LearnZillion is being used in the classroom

The Founders

Eric Westendorf, Co-Founder

Eric was most recently a principal and the Chief Academic Officer of E.L. Haynes Public Charter School in Washington, D.C. E.L. Haynes Public Charter School is known locally and nationally for its outstanding results and programs. Prior to E.L. Haynes, Eric taught for seven years in North Carolina, New York, and Yogyakarta, Indonesia. He also founded a non-profit focused on teacher leadership development and was the Assistant Principal of St. Josephʼs School in Harlem, where he raised over $1 million dollars for technology and other programs. Eric has an MBA from Stanford's Graduate School of Business, a Masters in School Administration from Trinity University, and a Masters in Teaching from Brown University. He graduated from Princeton University with a Bachelors of Arts in Public Policy. He lives with his wife and three children in Washington, D.C.

Alix Guerrier, Co-Founder

Alix was most recently a consultant in McKinsey & Companyʼs Education Practice, where he advised school systems and foundations on strategic matters. His previous work experience includes: teaching in and directing an after-school program in one of Bostonʼs public housing projects; working as a member of the housing group in the public finance department of an investment bank in New York; and teaching full-time for several years, including in an international school in Brazil. He most recently taught math at a public charter high school in San Francisco, and subsequently served on the Board of Trustees for the school. He is a newly elected member of the board of Capital City Public Charter School in Washington, D.C. Alix has an MBA from Stanfordʼs Graduate School of Business and a Masters in Education from the Stanford University School of Education. He graduated from Harvard University with an AB in physics. He lives with his wife and two daughters in Washington, D.C.