Passion, innovation, and integrity are the values that guide us every day.

See how we connect all learners with the teachers they deserve

Innovating new ways to impact students.

In the late 00’s, when video calls started to gain popularity, we saw its potential for being used as a method of instruction. The benefits were inarguable—classes previously conducted through asynchronous message boards and recorded video could transform to include eye contact, facial expressions, and dynamic interactions - the most important aspects of live instruction.
As the teacher vacancy crisis began to unfold in the 2010’s, we found our purpose - it was now possible to connect a certified teacher in one part of the country to students in another part of the country. Immediately, schools had access to certified teachers everywhere, not just in their immediate vicinity.  Students in those districts were given greater educational equity by gaining access to those teachers.

Passionate about increasing equity

Every individual on Proximity Learning’s team is driven by our mission—to connect all learners with the expert teachers they deserve. By connecting students with expert teachers, we increase educational equity, meaning that every child receives what they need to develop to their potential.
Our corporate team comes from all over the education space, many with direct experience either teaching or administrating in public schools. Backgrounds also include higher education, education technology companies, staffing organizations, and more.
All Proximity Learning teachers bring a passion for impacting the next generation, too. They teach with us to reach more students that need access to certified teachers and pass on the passion they have for the subjects they teach. Our team's passion brings new ways to make a positive impact through increased educational equity.

Built on a foundation of integrity

As an organization, we want to be as empowering, transparent, and honest as possible. It makes for better relationships with our clients, happier employees, and greater progress made when connecting students everywhere with certified teachers.

We strongly believe that our people can only be the best version of themselves when they are empowered by those surrounding them and gain full insight into decisions that may impact them. That goes doubly for our teachers - they gain access to a support network that empowers them to thrive and fully devote themselves to making an impact.
Our mission and core values were created collectively by a group of employees representing every level of seniority and every team within the company. We’re proud that, as an organization, we are guided by what drives our people to make an impact on the education world.
Learn more about:
Chris Land
Vice President | Operations

Chris has over 2 decades of award-winning Senior Management experience with Fortune 100 organizations such as GE, UPS, and FedEx. He joined Proximity Learning in 2018, embracing the mission of Equity in Education for all students. His diverse background, having a depth of knowledge in each department’s function, has been crucial to the growth and success of the company. He is a Customer Service Champion and Driver of Operational Efficiency. He currently leads the HR and Operations teams providing key guidance as the company continues its rapid growth.

Operations
Danielle Erdberg
Vice President | Product

Senior leader in product, operations and project management with more than a decade of broad based professional achievement. Strong business and technical acumen, valued as an IT product manager, advisor to senior leaders, solutions-focused business analyst and champion of cross-functional teams. Exceptionally proficient in full product lifecycle management and user experience. Agile Certified Scrum Master (CSM) and Project Management Professional (PMP), known for streamlining operations, increasing productivity and driving revenue growth.

Product
Joseph Mouhanna
Director | Technology

Joseph Mouhanna has over 35 years of Software Development & Architecture. He started his career at Microsoft, and retired as Microsoft’s Chief Networking Architect, with responsibility for developing the SW&HW technologies that enabled the broadband Internet, and today’s remote-assisted learning. Over the past couple of decades, he has been working with various startups, in the digital lifestyle space, as CTO/Chief Architect and VP of engineering. In his new role at Proximity, Joseph hopes to build on his past experience to bring about the future of best of class, remote-assisted learning, and help lead Proximity Learning’s transition from a Service Company to a Technology Company.

Technology
Kip Pygman
Director | Virtual Schools

Kip became Proximity Learning’s inaugural director of virtual schools in November of 2021. Prior to his work at Proximity, Kip was the executive director of the Illinois Virtual School and oversaw the State’s supplemental virtual school program. Kip was also the inaugural director of the Expanding Learning Opportunities Consortium (eLo) where he conceptualized, led, and scaled an online learning consortium comprised of three Illinois school districts spanning seven high schools. Kip spent the first ten years of his professional career at Leyden High Schools starting as a business instructor and quickly transitioning into leadership roles including an online learning coordinator and response to intervention director. Kip holds a master’s in educational leadership from Concordia University and a master’s of educational technology from Boise State University. Kip currently sits on the Board of Directors as the Vice-Chair for Walther Christian Academy and is an advisor member with both the Golden Online Learning Development and Extended Network alongside the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN).

Virtual Schools
Daryl Chesley
Director | Innovation

Daryl Chesley serves as the Director of Innovation at Proximity Learning. His areas of oversight include Curriculum Development & Implementation, Teacher Effectiveness, Professional Development, Organizational Innovations, and Asynchronous Instruction. He served in the US Navy. Prior to joining Proximity Learning, he held many leadership roles in public education and non-profit Healthcare education: including Teacher, Coach, High School Principal, Director and Assistant Superintendent of Instruction / Chief Academic Officer. He attended Villanova University for undergraduate and earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from The George Washington Univsersity.

Innovation
Evan Erdberg
President | Proximity Learning

Evan Erdberg has over 16 years of online K-12 and Higher Education sales and Human Capital Management experience. He is the President and founder of Proximity Learning Inc., an industry leading K-12 virtual teacher staffing company that acts as the HR backup plan for over 100 school districts nationwide placing thousands of teachers in vacant classrooms. Prior to joining PLI, Evan held a Director level position at Teachscape, managing one of the largest implementations in the country of principal certification and teacher evaluation systems that incorporated student data.

President
Dr. Michael Robinson
Vice President | School Partnerships

My mission is to ensure that all students and educational practitioners receive the best experience in educational technology that will ensure immediate and future success in the real world. I am an educational professional with strong expertise in education software, and committed to meeting and exceeding the goals and objectives of my school partners. I achieved a steadfast progression through a series of management roles in public education; which I have a passion for. I believe in forming long-lasting partnerships with school districts and educational professionals in order to meet all students’ individual needs, thus the continuous promotion of differentiated learning. I am extremely knowledgeable on developing and managing complex implementation of software and services in small, medium and large school districts. I have over 30 years of experience in the world of education, serving students in reading, mathematics, tutoring, supplemental educational services, and technology.

School Partnerships
Myken Caviness
Vice President | Customer Success

Myken Caviness is the Vice President of Customer Success for Proximity Learning Inc. Myken was one of the first employees ever hired at Proximity Learning and has helped the company grow and succeed. She is now in charge of the full implementation life cycle for clients and ensures the quality of Proximity Learning teachers. Myken brings with her more than 12 years of experience working with K-12 institutions. She graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor of Business Administrations degree, specializing in human resources.

Customer Success
John Rollack
Manager | Human Resources

John Rollack is the human resources manager at PLI. He is tasked with leading our HR team and brings over 20 years experience in the field of education. He began his career as a special education teacher in 2000 and transitioned into school administration in 2006. John served as a principal at a middle school and a large STEM high school. He transitioned into human resources and recruiting in 2015. John decided to join PLI in February 2020.

Human Resources
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