Our Story

One teacher’s bright idea led to a breakthrough solution.

In 1998, Tami Porter was an enthusiastic teacher filled with passion but struggling with paperwork. After a long day at school, she found herself zoning out in the grocery checkout line when an idea struck her. If she could scan assignments as quickly as the cashier could scan groceries, she could save a lot of time.

Fortunately, Tami’s family was both tech-savvy and entrepreneurial. Together, they created GradeCam, and what started as a way to quickly scan scores into her gradebook grew into a formative assessment tool that graded paper quizzes and provided immediate feedback to inform instruction.

The response from other educators was overwhelmingly positive, and GradeCam became a game-changing product. It was more than that, though. It marked the beginning of a two-decade-long conversation with educators and administrators that led to identifying and addressing a whole host of pain points in the assessment process.

That ongoing engagement guided an expansion, evolution, and innovation of valuable assessment solutions, including enhanced analytics, data sharing, LMS integration, roster syncing, a Student Portal, and more. Eventually, the product’s functionality literally outgrew its name, and GradeCam became Gradient. Today, Gradient continues to empower educators with simple solutions that save time and improve instruction.

Meet the Teacher Behind the Technology

Our path led us here.

mission

To empower educators with simple solutions that
advance student success.

vision

All educators are able to access effective and
efficient solutions that minimize workloads and
maximize learning.

beliefs

Empathy

We believe educators work hard under challenging conditions and they deserve meaningful solutions that make their jobs easier.

Empowerment

We believe educators are able to do what they do best when they have the tools and support they need to succeed.

Authenticity

We believe in creating truly valuable resources based on a genuine understanding of the real-world challenges educators face.

Culture Statement

At GradeCam, we prioritize trust, communication, and collaboration
to cultivate an enjoyable environment that results in our best work. We create
a sense of belonging by valuing each individual, promoting respect, and
embracing our unique experiences. Here, every team member can thrive
and contribute to our collective success. Together we work towards making a
profound impact on education, where our clients can rely on us to deliver
exceptional outcomes.

Company at a glance

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Student Users

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States Using Gradient

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Countries Using Gradient

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Dedicated Employees

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Years in EdTech

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Years in Education

“I love working for a company where I can make a difference in the world — I don’t think there is anything more impactful than improving the education of future generations.”

- Richard Bateman, Senior Software Engineer

“With so many on the team that have worked in ed tech or education for so many years, I love that I can talk with them about what education looks like and how we can better serve those teachers.”

- Kate Piland, Product Marketing Manager

“I have quickly found a community and group of people who support and push each other to be the best versions of themselves daily.”

- Kaitlin Antelmi, Senior Customer Support

“I love the close knit feel we have as a company even though we are so spread out as remote workers.”

- Jessica Beckles, Sales Administrator

“Everyone does their part to create an environment of trust, hard work, understanding, and support.”

- Tasi Cluff, Software Engineer

“I always feel supported by my team, my direct leadership, and the company leadership as a whole.”

- Amanda Barber, Project Manager

“It’s inspiring knowing that we are all striving to make a difference in the daily lives of teachers, and helping them improve the learning experience of their students.”

- Aaron Tarbell, Instructional Design Manager

“We all have the same goal, and that is to help make teachers’ lives easier and better.”

- Julie Brown, Finance & Administration

“I feel empowered and trusted.”

- Bradley Johnson, Sales

“We are truly making a difference for teachers and their students.”

- Tami Porter, Founder

“Making the jobs of one of our core institutions and workers easier resulting in meaningful work + the absolutely great people to develop relationships with.”

- Shehryar Ali, Site Reliability Engineer

staff

Scott H

Scott Hickson

CEO

Scott H

Scott Hickson

CEO

My Social Studies teacher in 8th grade was simply amazing. I have never seen a teacher connect with troubled kids better than this fella. Most of these kids would rarely go to class and flunk out of all of them, except his. He loved them and they loved him and all of them participated. A great teacher can have a positive impact on nearly all students.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
– Nelson Mandela

Amanda B

Amanda Barber

Project Manager

Amanda B

Amanda Barber

Project Manager

My 5th grade teacher, Mr. Hanser, always comes to mind when thinking of teachers who made a lasting impact, but I’m grateful to have experienced many amazing teachers – many of whom inspired me during my 12 years as a Kindergarten teacher.

“Be brave enough to suck at something new.”
– Unknown

Kaitlin A

Kaitlin Antelmi

Senior Customer Support Agent

Kaitlin A

Kaitlin Antelmi

Senior Customer Support Agent

I have quickly found a community and group of people who support and push each other to be the best versions of themselves daily. I look forward to growing as both a person and professional here at GradeCam, surrounded by caring, passionate and knowledgable teammates. I feel fortunate to be part of the GradeCam Team!

“If I’m an advocate for anything, it’s to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. The extent to which you can walk in someone else’s shoes or at least eat their food, it’s a plus for everybody. Open your mind, get up off the couch, move.”
– Anthony Bourdain

Jared B

Jared Butterfield

Senior Software Engineer

Jared B

Jared Butterfield

Senior Software Engineer

One of my favorite parts about working for GradeCam is working with great people that care about each other and give their best each day.

“Life breaks us. Then we fill the cracks with something stronger.”
– Brandon Sanderson

Aaron T

Aaron Tarbell

Senior Manager of Professional Learning

Aaron T

Aaron Tarbell

Senior Manager of Professional Learning

My high school history and psychology teachers both made a conscious effort to see their students as individuals. They took the time to listen to us, get to know us, and they ultimately inspired me to become a teacher myself.

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
– J.R.R. Tolkien

Matt D

Matt Duarte

Sales Account Executive

Matt D

Matt Duarte

Sales Account Executive

I love the GradeCam culture! I have trust in the team members to get their job done.

Mamba Mentality “It’s a constant quest to try to be better today than you were yesterday and better tomorrow than you were the day before.”
– Kobe Bryant

Kate Piland

Marketing Manager

Kate Piland

Marketing Manager

With so many people on the GradeCam team that have worked in EdTech or education for so many years, I love that as a former educator I can talk with many team members about what education looks like and how we can better serve those educators. Each team supports learning and growing ourselves as professionals and how we can continue to improve.

“A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.”
– Unknown

Richard B

Richard Bateman

Senior Software Engineer

Richard B

Richard Bateman

Senior Software Engineer

I love working for a company where I can make a difference in the world — I don’t think there is anything more impactful than improving the education of future generations.

Tasi C

Tasi Cluff

Software Engineer

Tasi C

Tasi Cluff

Software Engineer

My all-time favorite teacher was Mr. Johnson in 6th grade. He had a way of making you feel important and treated you like a genuine friend instead of just a kid. He instilled in me a love of history and understanding how other’s see the world.

“Anyone who does anything to help a child in his life is a hero to me.”
– Fred Rogers

Julie Brown

Finance & Administration

Julie Brown

Finance & Administration

Working at GradeCam we all have the same goal, and that is to help teachers teach, easier and better.

“Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.”
– Margaret Mead

Shehryar A

Shehryar Ali

Site Reliability Engineer

Shehryar A

Shehryar Ali

Site Reliability Engineer

My US History teacher handed me a book about Stalingrad in WW2 and told me I should read it. I felt pretty good about myself and my abilities because his gesture felt as if he believed in me beyond just the content of the course.

Alexa Escobedo

Professional Learning Specialist

Alexa Escobedo

Professional Learning Specialist

I am an avid volleyball player, concert-goer, and musical lover. When I have time to myself, you can catch me reading historical fiction, learning dance choreography on YouTube, or going on (not-so-strenuous) hikes with my two sons, husband, and pup.

“For there is always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.”
– Amanda Gorman

Bradley J

Bradley Johnson

Sales Account Executive

Bradley J

Bradley Johnson

Sales Account Executive

My 4th Grade Teacher Mrs. Sayer was an amazing person. She helped me grow as an individual and help me grow my self confidence. She was the tough teacher, but had so much empathy for her students. She always would make sure you felt heard and that you were/ are important.

“Education is one thing no one can take away from you.”
—BB King

Jessica B

Jessica Beckles

Sales Administrator

Jessica B

Jessica Beckles

Sales Administrator

I love the close knit feel we have as a company even though we are so spread out as remote workers. I love that we truly make a difference in teachers lives.

“The Gospel changes Everything”
-thedailygraceco
Romans 6:23

Rick G

Rick Gigger

Senior Software Engineer

Rick G

Rick Gigger

Senior Software Engineer

Some of my favorite activities outside of work is to code for fun and playing with my kids.

“I’m beginning to understand the trick of freedom. Freedom is what we give each other, not what we take.”
-Natalie Herzen

Richelle R

Richelle Reyes

Lead Sales Development Rep

Richelle R

Richelle Reyes

Lead Sales Development Rep

Here at GradeCam it is a “Whole Team” effort, everyone is super supportive and a family-like feeling. It is the BEST!

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
– Mahatma Gandhi

Brian S

Brian Scramlin

Software Engineer

Brian S

Brian Scramlin

Software Engineer

I am quite a nerd as it relates to Biblical history. I have studied Greek, Hebrew, and Latin and have a strong interest in the Ancient Near East. Other than that, I enjoy my family, playing basketball, and playing games.

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” – Howard Thurman