Welcome!

We're Matt Barnes & Scott Van Beck.

We’re learning experts who have worked inside and outside of the school. Now we help parents learn what they must know to support authentic learning in their children.

Matt Barnes

Co-Founder

Matt Barnes

Co-Founder

I’m a son, a spouse, a dad, an entrepreneur, and an active community member. Over the last 10-years, I have coached thousands of parents on how to grow their children into “self-directed learners for the 21st Century.”

Our kids have been educated in public, private, hybrid, virtual, and homeschool structures over the last 13 years. One is a valedictorian in his local public school, another started attending college at 15, and the other is starting a business at 14.

We routinely use online, off-line, and experiential learning to build our children into Self-Directed Learners. The result is traditional academic success and readiness for the 21st-century.

Dr. Scott Van Beck

Co-Founder

Dr. Scott Van Beck

Co-Founder

I’m Scott and I have worked in traditional and 21st Century learning models over 35 years.

My career began as a teacher in the Houston Independent School District. Through my career, I had the opportunity to serve in leadership as a dean of instruction, a middle school principal (I was even honored as a principal of the year!), a high school principal and I finished as the West Region Superintendent responsible for 60 schools and 54,000 learners.

I’ve learned a lot about how schools work — and how they don’t.

We believe that every parent must make a promise and a plan for their child’s learning.

A New Community of Parents

We coach parents who want future-ready children. We help families strategize beyond the traditional school experience in whatever way makes sense for you and your child. We teach you how to build and execute Learning Plans that fill the gaps in your child’s education. 

The future will require curious learners who are able to operate with a high degree of agency and autonomy. If you child is not excited about what they are learning, then take the first step and connect with a New Community.

Join our free parent Community

Quick Start Guide

If you made it this far then don’t stop now. The Quick Start Guide delivers a week’s worth of curated and highly practical resources to grow your learning leadership for the next 5 days. This is only the beginning! 

What’s included:

  • Key podcasts
  • Questions to ask your child
  • Blog posts
  • Interviews & videos