Solving the problem of isolation
In this episode, we sit down with Ariella Racco, CEO and co-founder of CoLab Education, to explore her fascinating journey from teacher to edtech entrepreneur and how she’s redefining what collaboration means for educators.
Ariella never planned to become a teacher. Drawn first to art and culture, she stumbled into education almost by accident. It was a backup plan that quickly became a calling. After earning her degree from McGill, she spent nearly a decade in classrooms in Canada and abroad, teaching everything from kindergarten to middle school science. Along the way, she learned that teaching wasn’t just about content. It was about connection, creativity, and constant adaptation.
She and Mike discuss the evolution of classrooms, from hands-on group learning to post-pandemic isolation and the heavy reliance on technology. Ariella reflects on how COVID transformed the way teachers and students relate, the loss of human connection that followed, and the urgent need to rebuild community in education.
Her time teaching internationally — from Toronto to Spain — gave her a global perspective on learning cultures and how technology can both help and hinder authentic engagement. That perspective, combined with her entrepreneurial spirit (first seen in a small pandemic-born dog accessory business called Pup + Pine), sparked an idea: teachers needed their own space to connect, collaborate, and grow.
That spark became CoLab Education, a professional networking and collaboration platform for K–12 educators.
Throughout the conversation, Ariella’s story reflects the heart of The Education Road: the unpredictable, winding journey from one chapter to the next. From a McGill student unsure of her path, to a beloved science teacher, to a global educator and now tech founder, Ariella embodies what it means to be a lifelong learner.
Her advice to young listeners and aspiring leaders? Don’t chase a title — chase a problem worth solving. Whether in the classroom or the boardroom, her message rings clear: learning never stops, and the best solutions start when you ask, “How can I make this better for others?”
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a passionate educator steps outside the classroom to reinvent the system itself, this conversation will inspire you.