Super Teacher is building an AI tutor for elementary schools — catch it at Disrupt 2025

In the realm of education, personalized tutoring is recognized as a vital method for enhancing student learning. However, a recent survey reveals a disheartening statistic: less than 10% of students in the U.S. are receiving tutoring. The high costs associated with traditional tutoring, often running into the hundreds or thousands of dollars monthly, make it an unattainable resource for many families. Enter Super Teacher, a groundbreaking startup founded by Tim Novikoff, a former Google product manager and educator. This innovative company has developed an AI-driven tutoring app designed specifically for elementary school students, priced at an accessible $15 per month—or just $10 with an annual subscription. With this initiative, Super Teacher hopes to democratize private tutoring across the nation. Super Teacher has already gained significant momentum, with approximately 20,000 families currently using the app. Additionally, public schools in New York, New Jersey, and Hawaii have begun integrating this technology into their curricula. The startup has even earned recognition as a Top 20 finalist in the Startup Battlefield at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 in San Francisco. Novikoff, who previously taught math in both Harlem and at the prestigious Stuyvesant High School, witnessed the stark contrast in educational resources available to students. "Tutoring is by far the most effective intervention that can be provided to kids for education, and it’s not even close," he emphasized. His mission to make tutoring accessible to all stems from his belief that every child deserves the opportunity to succeed. The Super Teacher app utilizes animated tutors with AI-generated voices to engage students in interactive lessons. Unlike many educational technologies that rely on large language models, Super Teacher employs a deterministic system that ensures accuracy and reliability in responses, sidestepping the inaccuracies often associated with LLMs. While Novikoff acknowledges the potential of AI tutors to positively impact children's learning experiences, he firmly believes that they should complement—not replace—traditional teachers. He envisions AI tutors as tools akin to smart boards or calculators, enhancing the educational landscape rather than overshadowing it. Currently focused on elementary education, Novikoff aims to expand Super Teacher to cater to younger and older students in the future. With his previous experience founding Fly Labs, a mobile video-editing app acquired by Google in 2015, he brings a wealth of expertise to this exciting venture. For those interested in exploring Super Teacher and other innovative startups, TechCrunch Disrupt will host a showcase of pitches and guest speakers from October 27 to 29 in San Francisco.