An experienced educator and author, Alisha George-McCool, is gaining growing attention for reimagining how education can better serve children whose needs often fall outside traditional classroom models.
First highlighted publicly by @emp.press on Instagram, George-McCool’s work reflects a broader shift in global education conversations—one that questions systems designed to standardize learning rather than adapt to individual students.
After years of working within the public school system, George-McCool said she came to a difficult conclusion: many children are being taught to conform to rigid structures, instead of schools evolving to meet diverse learning styles, cultural backgrounds, and emotional needs. That realization led her to found Beyond Academics (@itsbeyondacademics), a family-run education brand grounded in mentorship, confidence-building, and culturally responsive learning.
A classroom-informed approach to learning
Unlike many education startups, Beyond Academics is built directly on classroom experience. The platform blends traditional academic instruction with life skills, curiosity-driven exploration, and community engagement, offering an alternative to one-size-fits-all education models.
The program focuses on:
- Founder-led instruction shaped by real classroom realities
- Small-group and personalized learning, allowing students to learn at their own pace
- Online tutoring and digital tools accessible to families across borders
- Culturally grounded teaching, designed to honor identity and lived experience
While Beyond Academics operates a local learning pod in Canada, its primary reach is digital, serving families globally and reflecting the growing demand for flexible, online education options.
Authoring confidence through books
In addition to her work as an educator, George-McCool is also an author of children’s books aimed at building self-belief and foundational knowledge from an early age.
Her titles include You Can Be an Inventor Too, which encourages creativity and innovation, and My First Organ Book, a beginner-friendly introduction to the human body that helps children understand self-care through science and awareness.
Educators and parents say these works align closely with Beyond Academics’ philosophy—learning that empowers children not just academically, but personally.
Education beyond the classroom
As debates continue worldwide over education reform, access, and equity, initiatives like Beyond Academics highlight how educator-led models are reshaping learning outside conventional systems.
For George-McCool, the mission remains simple but ambitious: prepare children not only for school, but for life—by making education personal, inclusive, and rooted in real-world understanding.
