From Teacher to Educational Sales Manager: A Conversation with Olya Valenta

Olya preparing hands-on play invitations during a MAGNA-TILES partnership event.

With the relaunch of the new MAGNA-TILES LEARN series, MAGNA-TILES continues expanding its role in classrooms through hands-on, play-based learning experiences designed to support early childhood education. As the brand deepens its connection to educators, teacher perspectives are helping shape how educational partnerships, classroom resources, and learning opportunities continue to evolve.

For Olya Valenta, Educational Sales Manager at MAGNA-TILES, that perspective is grounded in her experience as a former teacher.  Having spent time in the classroom, she understands the real day-to-day experience of teaching and what educators need most. That insight now informs how she approaches partnerships at MAGNA-TILES, helping keep them grounded in real classroom needs.

In the conversation below, Olya shares how her background in education continues to influence her work, what meaningful teacher partnerships look like, and what brands can learn from the creativity and flexibility teachers bring to the classroom every day.

How has your experience as a former teacher shaped the way you approach partnerships today? 

My time in the classroom gave me a real understanding of what teachers are juggling every day. Balancing academics, behaviors, emotions, classroom dynamics, time constraints, parent communication and the individual needs of 20+ children all at once and then adjusting everything on the fly when the day does not go as planned.  There is a level of flexibility and quick decision making that you only truly understand if you have lived it.

That experience has absolutely shaped how I approach partnerships at MAGNA-TILES. I approach partnerships with a deep respect for educators’ time, expertise, and the meaningful work they do every day. Whether that is donating classroom materials, sharing free learning resources, or training teachers, the goal is always to support real classrooms through thoughtful partnerships.  

Olya with Bolingbrook Park District educators following a teacher training focused on hands-on learning and Meaningful Play.

I also now view a lot of this through the lens of a parent, which has added another layer to how I think about partnerships and learning experiences overall. As a mom to a toddler, preschooler, and first graders, I see firsthand how children engage with play at different ages and stages. It gives me additional perspective when thinking about the types of resources, activities, and experiences we create.  I understand both the educator side and the parent side of wanting learning to feel engaging, developmentally appropriate, and easy to naturally integrate into a child’s day, both at home and in the classroom.

What does a "win" look like for a teacher engaging with a MAGNA-TILES partnership?

A “win” for us starts with authenticity. We are not looking for perfectly curated moments or scripted feedback. We are looking for real classroom experiences. Those real classroom moments give us insights we cannot get any other way.

Classroom observations provide valuable insight into how children engage with MAGNA-TILES building sets.

Another win is when partnerships feel collaborative instead of transactional.  At MAGNA-TILES, we want educators to feel like true partners whose ideas and experiences help shape what we create. Through our Facebook educator community, teachers regularly share classroom experience, provide product feedback, and contribute ideas for learning resources.  Educators from the group recently helped inform play guides for the new MAGNA-TILES LEARN Series, bringing real classroom perspectives directly into the development process.

A third win is gaining a broader understanding of how learning through play looks across different educational environments.  We partner with schools, educators, and organizations like Guidepost Montessori and the Bolingbrook Park District to see how MAGNA-TILES building sets are used across age groups, classroom settings, and teaching approaches.  From Montessori classrooms to park district programs to traditional preschool and kindergarten environments, each partnership helps us learn something new about how children engage, create, collaborate, and learn though MAGNA-TILES play.

Ultimately, success is about building genuine relationships with educators and using those shared insights to create better products, stronger classroom resources, and more meaningful learning experiences that truly support educators and students.

Are there ways we can bring more of that "teacher mindset" into how we plan, communicate, and show up as a brand?

Absolutely. Teachers are incredibly intentional.  They are always thinking about the experience from the learner’s perspective.  What will capture attention, what will make something click, what might feel overwhelming, and how to keep students engaged while still meeting a goal. That mindset naturally pushes you to communicate more clearly, simplify where needed, and focus on creating experiences that are actually meaningful instead of just visually impressive.

Teachers are also constantly adapting.  Even the best lesson plans rarely go exactly as expected, so educators become very good at reading the room, responding in real time, and adjusting based on what people actually need in the moment.  I think brands can benefit from more of that flexibility and listening mindset rather than feeling tied to a perfectly planned approach. 

Another thing teachers bring is creativity. In education, creativity is not just about making something look fun.  It is about creating connection, curiosity, participation, and deeper engagement.  That is something we think about often at MAGNA-TILES.  How to create experiences, resources, and partnership that genuinely invite people into Meaningful Play rather than simply marketing a product.

Be part of the next chapter of Meaningful Play

For nearly 30 years, MAGNA-TILES has been part of classrooms and early childhood learning environments, with educators playing an important role in shaping how the brand supports children through Meaningful Play.  Perspectives like Olya’s help continue that connection by ensuring partnerships, resources, and learning experiences remain practical and grounded in real classroom experience.

Interested in being a part of the conversation? Join our educator Facebook community to connect with fellow educators, share classroom ideas, explore hands-on learning activities, and be part of future classroom and partnership opportunities.

You can also explore free play guides, classroom activities, and educator resources on the MAGNA-TILES Learning Hub.