Tutoring is widely recognized as one of the most effective ways to boost a child’s academic performance, yet access remains severely limited in the U.S. A 2023 survey of the nation’s largest school districts found that fewer than 10% of students received tutoring, largely due to high costs—often hundreds or thousands of dollars per month. Tim Novikoff, a former Google product manager and educator, aims to change that with Super Teacher, an AI-powered tutoring app designed for elementary school students that costs just $15 per month, or $10 with an annual subscription. The four-year-old startup is gaining momentum. Novikoff says around 20,000 families have signed up, and public school districts in New York, New Jersey, and Hawaii now use the app. Super Teacher is also a Startup Battlefield Top 20 finalist at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 in San Francisco. Novikoff’s personal experience as a math teacher in New York City—first in Harlem and later at Stuyvesant High School—shaped his mission. He observed a stark contrast: nearly all students at Stuyvesant had access to private tutoring, while many in Harlem did not. “Tutoring is by far the most effective intervention that can be provided to kids for education, and it’s not even close,” he said. “It’s really unfair that not everyone gets this opportunity. That’s why I’m pursuing a mission to democratize access to private tutoring.” Super Teacher’s app features animated AI tutors with lifelike, AI-generated voices that guide children through interactive, conversational lessons. Students interact using their voice, simulating a real dialogue with a teacher. Unlike many edtech tools, the app does not rely on large language models. Instead, it uses a deterministic system that ensures every response is accurate and consistent—avoiding the hallucinations and errors that can undermine trust in LLM-based tools. Novikoff believes AI tutors can be powerful tools in education, but he’s clear that they won’t replace human teachers. He compares them to classroom aids like smart boards or calculators—supportive tools that enhance instruction, not substitutes for educators. The app is currently designed for elementary school students, a decision driven by Novikoff’s desire to support his own children and the fact that few edtech companies focus on this age group. Looking ahead, he plans to expand to younger and older grades and deepen partnerships with school districts across the country. Before founding Super Teacher, Novikoff launched Fly Labs, a mobile video-editing app acquired by Google in 2015. His background in both education and technology positions him uniquely to bridge the gap between innovation and classroom impact. For those interested in seeing Super Teacher in action—and exploring dozens of other emerging startups, hearing founder pitches, and attending expert panels across four stages—TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 takes place in San Francisco from October 27 to 29. More information is available at the event’s official website.