We were lucky to catch up with Lourdes Aviñó recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Lourdes, thanks for joining us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

I have always been someone who pushed the boundaries; however, in a way that I knew I could still succeed. As the only female on my father’s side of the family, the boys were often included in sports and adventurous activities, while I was told that I should stay inside. Being told I couldn’t do something was usually what pushed me most to accomplish it. I was always extremely athletic and considered a tomboy in every sense of the word. At one point when I was young, I was told a sport I was playing was not feminine enough, and so I was given a tennis racket. To me at that point it really didn’t matter so long as I was playing something. So I worked hard at it until I went on to compete at the Division I level on a scholarship. When it came to school, there is somewhat of a similar expectation. The more I was told I should focus on certain career paths, the more I would push against the grain. I graduated from American University and continued my studies at the University of Miami School of Law. My response has always been to ignore the peanut gallery and take a chance because I knew I was capable. I know my family did not do this because they thought I couldn’t but in our culture, even today, there is still an expectation of gender roles. This is not unique to me. When my husband and I decided to have a family, my personal experience was always something that stayed in the back of my mind. I have a son and a daughter, and I am extremely conscious of making my best efforts to avoid biases. I try to encourage them that they are each capable of greatness and I hope that they choose their own paths. I constantly tell them that growth happens in those moments of discomfort. That there is nothing too big or too small because of the little things will add up to become something greater.
What I did not expect was for my then eleven year old son, to come to us with a written up business plan to create an app. YTeach is a peer to peer tutoring and scheduling app that helps schools provide academic support to their students in exchange for community service hours. He had considered all the big picture obstacles and looked to me to help him get started. At this point, I had already been practicing law for 15 years while trying to balance the best I could and raising our children. Matias wouldn’t let it go and I truly believe there is something very special about YTeach. Plus, what kind of hypocrite would I be to tell him to think big, but not too big. Starting YTeach with him has felt like one of the greatest risks I have taken, while giving me the most reward. We embarked on something neither one of us really knew much about. Matias printed blank wireframes online and designed how the app would work. Whether we were meeting with developers, lawyers, investors, or other entrepreneurs, he and I attend every meeting to make sure YTeach stayed true to his vision. At this point, we are still working hard and learning every day whether it be about customer acquisition, marketing, content creation, or the education system in general. Our main focus is our mission to impact as many students as possible by providing access to academic support.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

YTeach was created by a student who knew that just like him, students constantly had questions, and there likely was someone within his school who could help him learn how to find the answers. He understood that students seeking help often face not knowing who to ask or have trouble trying to find the time to schedule sessions with private tutors who can place a financial burden on families.

On the same token, schools are looking for ways to provide supplemental learning and resources to their students, are spending money often hiring outside private tutors or learning programs to assist their students, and despite teachers best efforts there is only one of them and so much time to help as many of their students as possible. YTeach is a resource to help solve these problems.

Students can schedule as many tutoring sessions as they need, during a time that fits their schedule, at no cost to them, whether it be in person or online. We have focused on making the app more accessible to all students by becoming available on iOS, Android and through a web app. Furthermore, it catalyzes mentorship opportunities and creates networks of driven learners within schools, while helping schools support peer tutoring through a closed network within their community of students in all subjects.

YTeach is also committed to providing students equitable aid. The pandemic showed us that 30% of K-12 students lacked access to technology and learning instruction and that Hispanic and African American students were twice as likely to not have access to live instruction with their teachers. YTeach increases teacher bandwidth and functions as an extension of the classroom. We believe that every student should have access to the resources they need to succeed academically, no matter their socioeconomic status or background. With YTeach, schools not only can view analytics to oversee and quantify the success of their program, view lesson statuses, and monitor chat messages between students and tutors but through utilizing their own students to provide this necessary support, they help create a nurturing community of leaders that are driven by a growth mindset.

To date, we have collaborated with schools across the country and have connected more than 10,000 students. YTeach has created a platform that encourages a desire to help your peers and make an impact in your community. We have received feedback from parents whose child reconnected in a time of isolation during the pandemic, students who have gone on to study education because they felt fulfilled by teaching others, and administrators and teachers who were relieved to have a resource to help them carry the slack of providing additional support.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I think there is a story during Covid for everyone. In the case of YTeach, Covid came as a bit of a shock. We had only launched the app on the App Store at the end of the academic school year and had just begun to beta test at a school in Miami. We finally launch and things are definitely getting momentum by winter break. A big part of the app was that it was helping build relationships. Students were meeting face to face, encouraging communication skills, and students were receptive to it. Once Covid hit and schools realized it would be for more than 2 weeks, it was as everything stopped so they could figure things out. All of a sudden, we notice students going onto the app to try and get support and we realize that adding the option and flexibility of learning online was not only necessary but would benefit students in the long run. Although students are back in the classroom, we realize that with sports and extracurricular activities, students really love to have the option to learn during times that are convenient for them. Not every student is able to meet with a teacher right after school, but they can find someone from their school to answer their questions, during a time that works better.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing our clientele has mostly been through word of mouth. Once a school begins implementing YTeach, they can see the benefits not just in helping students in the classroom but also socially and mentally. Our growth has been extremely organic and through word of mouth. We maintain extremely high standards of customer service especially because we truly care about the students success. If we see students are needing extra support on the backend, we assist school administrators by making sure they can find the help they need.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.yteach.com
• Instagram: @yteach.app
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yteachapp
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/yteach/
• Twitter: @yteach_app
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18NEf-18Nb8&t=1s

Image Credits
Elizabeth Renfrow/Rahaus