Inside the First VR Homeschool: Meta-Backed Optima Ed and the Next Era of Learning with Adam Mangana

Edtech Insiders

Send us a text

Adam Mangana is the Co-Founder and CEO of Optima Ed, the first full-time VR homeschool backed by Meta. With over 15 years in edtech leadership, he’s pioneering immersive, AI-driven learning experiences that expand access to quality education and reimagine how, where, and why students learn.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. How Optima Ed blends classical education with cutting-edge VR technology.
2. Why the future of learning is immersive, individualized, and accessible.
3. The role of AI tutors and digital twins in supporting teachers and students.
4. How education savings accounts (ESAs) and policy innovation are enabling new school models.
5. Why Adam believes the next era of schooling will liberate learning and bring world-class education anywhere.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:37] Entering a cell, not just watching one — the power of immersive learning.
[00:07:36] Optima Ed brings top teachers to every home through VR.
[00:11:33] Solving online school loneliness with metaverse classrooms.
[00:16:25] Teachers gain flexibility to teach from anywhere in the world.
[00:20:07] ESAs and spatial computing are transforming school choice.
[00:43:56] AI-powered tutors enable personalized, multilingual learning.
[00:49:20] “Learning liberated” — Optima Ed’s mission for global access.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

As a tech-first company, Tuck Advisors has developed a suite of proprietary tools to serve its clients better. Tuck was the first firm in the world to launch a custom GPT around M&A. If you haven’t already, try our proprietary M&A Analyzer, which assesses fit between your company and a specific buyer. To explore this free tool and the rest of our technology, visit tuckadvisors.com.

Fejezetek

1. Inside the First VR Homeschool: Meta-Backed Optima Ed and the Next Era of Learning with Adam Mangana (00:00:00)

2. Entering a cell, not just watching one — the power of immersive learning. (00:02:58)

3. Optima Ed brings top teachers to every home through VR. (00:07:57)

4. Solving online school loneliness with metaverse classrooms. (00:11:54)

5. Teachers gain flexibility to teach from anywhere in the world. (00:18:05)

6. ESAs and spatial computing are transforming school choice. (00:21:47)

7. AI-powered tutors enable personalized, multilingual learning. (00:45:36)

8. “Learning liberated” — Optima Ed’s mission for global access. (00:51:00)