Michael Kocher

Pilot, physics teacher, founder and dad of four

I learn how things work. Then I teach it.

I've spent my life figuring things out and showing other people how. This is where I share what I learn.

See what I do

For people who build things

Learn it. Build it. Give it back.

Get paid for what you're good at. See what I'm building next. Or help a great teacher stay in the classroom.

Coaching

Starting, building or running a business / First Offer Lab

Launch your first paying offer.

One live call a week. I teach one thing that gets you paid. Then I answer every question.

Join the waitlist

Lona Labs

Venture studio / Software

Where I build what's next.

My venture studio. It's where I build and test new software ideas.

More soon

Newsletter

Founder Physics

One story and one lesson from building things. A few times a week. Free.

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EduThemes

Teachers / Non-profit

Keep great teachers teaching.

The non-profit I co-founded. We build curriculum like Quantitown so great teachers can stay in the classroom.

How we help

My story

Curious from day one.

I've always taken things apart to see how they work. As a kid, I ran a dial-up bulletin board for my friends.

I paid for flight school with a side business. I failed my first checkride from nerves. Then I passed.

I went back to school to teach physics. My students ran their own classroom economy. They got a little obsessed with math.

I was a top seller at Apple. I built Instructure's curriculum team from scratch. I've built and sold two companies and co-founded a non-profit.

Today I'm CEO of Aprendio and a dad of four. I still take things apart.

Read my story

Need AI automation for your business? That's Aprendio. Talk to my team.

Michael standing beside a small plane in a hangar at sunset

In their words

People I've built with.

Teachers, leaders and teams I've worked alongside, from classrooms to boardrooms.

"There are few leaders you will follow anywhere, and he is one of them."
Fred JohnsonBoard of Directors, EduThemes
"One of the most innovative and forward-thinking individuals I have encountered. His capacity to think beyond the ordinary is truly remarkable."
Deonne JohnsonDirector of People & Culture, Instructure
"His creativity fosters an environment of continuous improvement and growth."
Nichole HiersPrincipal Instructional Designer

Built for and alongside teams atAppleCAEU.S. Air ForceBoeingInstructureEast Carolina University

Michael writing in a notebook at his workbench, an old cuckoo clock opened up beside him

The Founder Physics newsletter

My mistakes took years. The lessons take 3 minutes.

I've built and sold two companies. I got a lot wrong on the way.

I once worked all night for a few dollars an hour, from a motel that rented by the week. I built a whole curriculum before anyone asked for it. I chased one shiny idea after another.

Each email is one of those true stories and the lesson it taught me. Read it in 3 minutes. Use it the same day.

A few times a week. Free. One click to leave.

From the blog

The latest stories.

True stories from flying, teaching and building companies, and what each one taught me.

Read all stories
Founder Physics ·

The broken cuckoo clock

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Teaching

Feedback vs Advice

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Story

The Backstory – How Cheaper By the Dozen Changed My Life

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Giving back / EduThemes

Great teachers change lives.

I taught physics. I know how hard that job is. EduThemes is the non-profit I co-founded to help teachers stay in the classroom.

  1. 01

    The accelerator.

    Coaching and resources so the best teachers can earn more and stay in the classroom.

  2. 02

    Curriculum kids enjoy.

    We build lessons like Quantitown, where students learn algebra through stories and games.

  3. 03

    Kids who love learning.

    Helping students succeed and love to learn.

Visit EduThemes