The TeacherCare Story

“Every child deserves someone who sees their potential and helps them become who they’re meant to be.”

A Mother’s Vision Becomes a Mission

When it comes to raising our children, nothing replaces care that’s rooted in purpose. And that’s exactly where the story of TeacherCare begins.

Back in 1998, a young mother named Terri Brax stepped away from her corporate career, not because she lacked ambition, but because she couldn’t find childcare that matched the vision she had for her son. She wasn’t looking for a babysitter. She was looking for someone who could nurture, teach, and spark wonder — someone who could help give her son a magical childhood and a meaningful, happy future. That vision was rooted in her childhood, one shaped by adversity and a desire to offer her children the kind of love, learning, and support she once longed for. And when she couldn’t find it, she built it.

As Terri raised her young family and began envisioning TeacherCare, she volunteered with foster youth. She soon saw TeacherCare as a solution for families like hers and a path to creating a lasting impact for vulnerable children. That hope evolved into a mission-driven business that supports families, empowers educators, and contributes to nonprofits that uplift women and children.

Backed by Research, Built with Heart

Terri returned to school to study both Business and Education. She didn’t just want to understand what worked—she wanted to change what didn’t. She became deeply influenced by neuroscience and research on early childhood development, particularly how the first years shape a child’s brain, identity, and sense of security. She saw what happened when you brought real educators into the home: children flourished, not just academically, but emotionally and socially. That’s when TeacherCare was born—not as a typical agency, but as a new kind of solution for families who wanted more than care — they wanted purpose-built, educator-led learning at home that puts teachers where children need them most: in the rhythm of their daily lives.

A New Standard for In-Home Education

The first families to trust TeacherCare were professors from the University of Chicago. That community knew the value of deep learning, and soon, the word spread. As our reputation grew, so did the needs of the families we served. We began working not only with parents seeking educator nannies, but also with those hiring private teachers for full-time homeschooling, gifted education, children with special needs, international travel, and other specialized learning goals. The TeacherCare model continued to spread through faculty lounges, boardrooms, and eventually into the homes of global leaders and public figures who saw something different in this approach.

As more families reached out with complex needs — children who were gifted, neurodivergent, or didn’t thrive in conventional systems — Terri saw her own family reflected in theirs. As a mother of both a gifted child and a child with learning challenges, she understood the nuanced support these children require. This deepened her belief that personalized, at-home education isn’t just a luxury — it’s a lifeline for families seeking a more meaningful and aligned way to help their children grow.

Innovation with Intention

What made TeacherCare grow wasn’t just reputation—it was intention. As the world changed, Terri and her team infused insights from innovation hubs, educational research, and what we now know about personalized learning into every layer of the process. They created tools like the Family Learning Plan, offered personalized lesson previews to candidates, and served as trusted partners to support families.

A Mission to Build a Better Future

Since childhood, Terri had one goal: to help build a better world. Through TeacherCare, she believes she is doing just that—by helping smart, visionary families raise the next generation of thoughtful leaders, innovators, creatives, and changemakers. These are the children who will not only navigate the future, they will shape it. And when they are raised with care, character, and curiosity, they grow into the kind of people who build better systems, lead with empathy, and inspire others to rise.

It’s like planting a forest, not just a tree. You’re not just nurturing your child — you’re nurturing the leaders who will one day create the cultures, technologies, and communities that others will live and thrive in.

That’s why a portion of every placement supports nonprofits that empower women and children, extending the mission far beyond any one household.

Raising a Generation Together

As TeacherCare grew, so did Terri’s family and her leadership team. Together, they built an organization that stands not just as a placement agency but as a movement—a reminder that education starts with people, with heart, with vision, and that every child deserves to learn in an environment that sees who they are and helps them grow into who they’re meant to become.

If you’re a parent who believes your child deserves more than conventional care or education, someone who sees their spark and helps it grow, you’re in the right place.

Discover how we match families with world-class educator nannies and private teachers for personalized, enriching, and truly future-ready learning.


Ready to Begin?

Start your own Family Learning Journey. Let’s match your family with an educator who reflects your values and nurtures your child’s full potential — academically, emotionally, and creatively.

Schedule Your Consultation