We democratize educational access, knowledge, and opportunities through revolutionary technology and advanced learning systems.
EduForward was founded in 2020 by Jerome K. Harris III (Rome), the founder of Coachable AI, an eLearning/AI organization and app that's received recognition from Blackstone Launchpad, Techstars, Graziadio's Most Fundable Companies, and other organizations. Rome's background is in education, art, entrepreneurship, and environmentalism. He's published works on technology, sociology, art, and sustainability. Rome studied Environmental Psychology, Social Entrepreneurship, and Education at UCLA, MI, and SMC, graduating with degrees in Entrepreneurship, English, Science, Arts and Humanities, and other disciplines.
Jerome K. Harris III, founder/CEO of EduForward
Rome has conducted extensive research on educational systems, leading R&D teams, testing learning systems, and interviewing hundreds of teachers and students on the subject of pedagogy, in order to better understand how to optimize learning. He found the need for both innovation in the education sector and cohesion across general education channels in order to improve educational standards and practices. Rome created EduForward to help students prepare for real life challenges that society faces, like climate change and an evolving socioeconomic, technological landscape. He set to improve education and enact systems change by improving learning systems and educational cohesion for students, from childhood and early student development to workforce integration and beyond.
Rome has been a proponent for child care, education, environmentalism, health care, civil and human rights, and various other causes. He worked on Amnesty International's campaign to help end violence against women, and has done journalistic work, focusing on environmental and social challenges, solutions, and outcomes. He's organized park cleanups, worked with LA Waterkeeper to monitor waterways and test ocean pollution levels, led charity events, combatting various diseases, and currently is organizing an annual Walk for Child Care and Education.
Rome comes from a family background of civic leadership and social entrepreneurship. His grandfather and namesake, Jerome K. Harris Sr. (Jerome Sr.), was the visionary who conceived and named Hemisfair, the San Antonio world's fair, which occurred in 1968 and led to the construction of the Tower of Americas (Hemisfair Tower), the Texas History Museum, Convention Center, expansion of the riverwalk, Hemisfair Arena (which eventually made possible and led to the establishment of the San Antonio Spurs), and other major, city developments.
The Tower of Americas (Hemisfair Tower) in San Antonio, Texas. The tower was constructed for Hemisfair 68, the world fair conceived by Jerome K. Harris Sr.
Jerome K. Harris Sr., civic leader, former chairman of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, and father of Hemisfair, which he named and conceived
Hemisfair 68 was critical to the modern transformation of San Antonio, Texas, helping the city grow to be one of the largest in the United States. Jerome Sr. brought the idea for a world's fair that would celebrate San Antonio's global identity, highlighting its cultural ties to Mexico and Latin America, to the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. From that day on, it was called
the Harris Plan for an Exhibition to include cultural, scientific, educational and industrial exhibits and entertainment from Latin American countries. He would eventually drive the idea to fruition, travelling to Washington D.C. to pitch the idea to Henry B. Gonzales and a senate subcommittee that would ultimately approve and organize the idea. Jerome Sr. was a civic and organizational force. He held positions as director of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, past president of Fiesta, and leader of other civic organizations. Professionally, he was the president of San Antonio retail establishment, Frank Bros, but his creation of Hemisfair would come to be known as his crowning achievement in civic engagement.
His son, Jerome K. Harris Jr. (Jerry Jr.), would follow in his footsteps, leading several civic organizations, holding similar or identical roles, such as past president of fiesta, president of the San Antonio Rotary (the largest Rotary in the world), vice president of the American Heart Association, and other civic leadership roles. He also went on to establish successful businesses like his father did:
Jerome K. Harris Jr., humanitarian and civic leader for several charitable organizations
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Past Presidents of Fiesta,
Fiesta Commission Magazine 2019,
Jerome K. Harris Jr., president, 1977 - #42,
Jerome K. Harris Sr., president, 1964 - #55
Jerome K. Harris Jr. -
Civic Leadership and Humanitarian Roles:
- Presidency of Fiesta commission, San Antonio
- Chairman of the board for the American Heart Association
- Presidency of the largest Rotary club in the world, at that time (with over 22 years of membership & perfect attendance)
- Director of the greater San Antonio chamber of commerce
- Executive chairman of the board of Texas Military Institute
- Director of the community welfare council
- Chairman of Latin American affairs
- Director of San Antonio Jaycees
- Chairman of San Antonio central index
- Presidency of the Visiting Nurses Association
- Vice presidency of the American Red Cross
- Vice chairmanship of the National Health Agencies of San Antonio
- International Convention Chairman
- Fiesta River Parade Marshall
Jerome K. Harris Jr. ’49
(1984 award for Alumnus of the Year)
"Alamo Heights businessman (clothing shops), active in Rotary & Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, many civic and charitable board memberships, Texas Cavaliers, German Club, Temple Beth-El. With fellow Alumnus of the Year Marshall Steves, Harris was one of the original promoters of HemisFair ’68. Later, partner in Cody-Harris Photography.
-from TMI's alumnus of the year awards
Jerry Jr. began life with great adversity before him. He was one of four children at his school, Alamo Heights, who had contracted polio, a terrible disease that would challenge him for his entire life. Of the four children at his school who contracted the disease, he was the only one to survive. His father had a plane waiting at that time, ready to carry an iron lung to San Antonio for him if needed, though it never would be.
Jerry Jr.'s will was strong, and he learned early to work hard and not languish in self-pity. He went on to become president of the downtown San Antonio Rotary. Rotary would be one of the key organizations to help in the effort of wiping out polio throughout the world. During his more than twenty two years of service, with perfect attendance, he was a strong proponent for the movement to wipe out polio and often gave speeches in support of the effort to eradicate the disease.
Jerry Jr. eventually married a strong willed leader, who had achieved her lifelong dreams to become a teacher and entrepreneur. Susan W. Harris taught elementary, middle, and high school for over 20 years, teaching special education, as well as math, science, and general ed, at both private and public schools. She was passionate about helping the disabled and underprivileged, often leading her to speak up for those who were underrepresented. She created initiatives such as integration programs for disabled students and went on to earn teacher of the year awards for her work.
Susan Harris, in her first year as a teacher (1975)
Our Motto
Be Honest. Be Kind. Be the Best You.
Our motto was adapted from San Antonio Academy's motto: - "Be honest. Be kind. Be the best you can be." - SAA
Susan Harris, teaching students at San Antonio Academy (1979)
Susan's years of teaching led her to create her own school of photography and modeling, and eventually she went on to cofound a successful photography company, Cody Harris Photography, with her husband, Jerry Jr., and business partners Pat and Ed Cody. Together they established one of the most successful photography businesses in San Antonio, Texas. Susan currently is using her experience and skillset as Chief Advisor and Marketing Coordinator for EduForward, utilizing her expertise to help advance EduForward's learning systems, mission, and advise on overall educational strategy and implementation.
Rome's family background and learning environments strongly influenced his entrepreneurial, civic, and educational inclinations, ultimately leading to the creation of EduForward. For elementary and middle school, Rome attended San Antonio Academy (SAA), a private, military school that focused on leadership development. His mother Susan taught there for 3 years, impressed by the values instilled in the students there. It was in Rome's early childhood, at SAA, that he developed a strong sense of leadership, work ethic, and determination. The school taught each student to follow the school motto, "Be honest. Be kind. Be the best you can be." 
Later when Rome attended a San Antonio public high school, he noticed flaws in the public education system, and his passion for educational systems took root. While attending UCLA, his lifelong passion for education would come full circle as he developed Coachable AI and led teams through educational systems development and innovative processes in edtech and systems design, laying the foundation for EduForward as it stands today, a leader in the education industry.
Rome has leaned on the virtue and age old adage that his family instilled in him in childhood - that you can be anything you set your mind to if you work hard enough to achieve it. It's in that same spirit that EduForward empowers students, teachers, and learners of all kinds to pursue their dreams and take the steps necessary to make those dreams become a reality.
Hemisfair 68 was critical to the modern transformation of San Antonio, Texas, helping the city grow to be one of the largest in the United States. Jerome Sr. brought the idea for a world's fair that would celebrate San Antonio's global identity, highlighting its cultural ties to Mexico and Latin America, to the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. From that day on, it was called
the Harris Plan for an Exhibition to include cultural, scientific, educational and industrial exhibits and entertainment from Latin American countries. He would eventually drive the idea to fruition, travelling to Washington D.C. to pitch the idea to Henry B. Gonzales and a senate subcommittee that would ultimately approve and organize the idea. Jerome Sr. was a civic and organizational force. He held positions as director of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, past president of Fiesta, and leader of other civic organizations. Professionally, he was the president of San Antonio retail establishment, Frank Bros, but his creation of Hemisfair would come to be known as his crowning achievement in civic engagement.
His son, Jerome K. Harris Jr. (Jerry Jr.), would follow in his footsteps, leading several civic organizations, holding similar or identical roles, like past president of fiesta, president of the San Antonio Rotary (one of the largest Rotary organizations in the world), vice president of the American Heart Association, and other civic leadership roles. He also went on to establish successful businesses like his father did:
Jerome K. Harris Jr. ’49
(1984 award for Alumnus of the Year)
"Alamo Heights businessman (clothing shops), active in Rotary & Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, many civic and charitable board memberships, Texas Cavaliers, German Club, Temple Beth-El. With fellow Alumnus of the Year Marshall Steves, Harris was one of the original promoters of HemisFair ’68. Later, partner in Cody-Harris Photography."
-from TMI's alumnus of the year awards
Jerry Jr. began life with great adversity before him. He was one of four children at his school, Alamo Heights, who had contracted polio, a terrible disease that would challenge him for his entire life. Of the four children at his school who contracted the disease, he was the only one to survive. His father had a plane waiting at that time, ready to carry an iron lung to San Antonio for him if needed, though it never would be.
Jerry Jr.'s will was strong, and he learned early to work hard and not languish in self-pity. He went on to become president of the downtown San Antonio Rotary. Rotary would be one of the key organizations to help in the effort of wiping out polio throughout the world. During his more than twenty two years of service, with perfect attendance, he was a strong proponent for the movement to wipe out polio and often gave speeches in support of the effort to eradicate the disease.
Jerry Jr. eventually married a strong willed leader, who had achieved her lifelong dreams to become a teacher and entrepreneur. Susan W. Harris taught elementary, middle, and high school for over 20 years, teaching special education, as well as math, science, and general ed, at both private and public schools. She was passionate about helping the disabled and underprivileged, often leading her to speak up for those who were underrepresented. She created initiatives such as integration programs for disabled students and went on to earn teacher of the year awards for her work.
Susan's years of teaching led her to create her own school of photography and modeling, and eventually she went on to cofound a successful photography company, Cody Harris Photography, with her husband, Jerry Jr., and business partners Pat and Ed Cody. Together they established one of the most successful photography businesses in San Antonio, Texas. Susan currently is using her experience and skillset as Chief Advisor and Marketing Coordinator for EduForward, utilizing her expertise to help advance EduForward's learning systems, mission, and advise on overall educational strategy and implementation.
Rome's family background and learning environments strongly influenced his entrepreneurial, civic, and educational inclinations, ultimately leading to the creation of EduForward. For elementary and middle school, Rome attended San Antonio Academy (SAA), a private, military school that focused on leadership development. His mother Susan taught there for 3 years, impressed by the values instilled in the students there. It was in Rome's early childhood, at SAA, that he developed a strong sense of leadership, work ethic, and determination. The school taught each student to follow the school motto, "Be honest. Be kind. Be the best you can be."
Later when Rome attended a San Antonio public high school, he noticed flaws in the public education system, and his passion for educational systems took root. While attending UCLA, his lifelong passion for education would come full circle as he developed Coachable AI and led teams through educational systems development and innovative processes in edtech and systems design, laying the foundation for EduForward as it stands today, a leader in the education industry.
Rome has leaned on the virtue and age old adage that his family instilled in him in childhood - that you can be anything you set your mind to if you work hard enough to achieve it. It's in that same spirit that EduForward empowers students, teachers, and learners of all kinds to pursue their dreams and take the steps necessary to make those dreams become a reality.
Our Mission Statement
EduForward's mission is to help make education more accessible, engaging, cohesive, inclusive, and available for all students, in order to improve educational systems, knowledge, and society at large.
We democratize educational access, knowledge, and opportunities through revolutionary technology and advanced learning systems.
