Why We Started TeamTeacher.ai
Maggie: The 2023-2024 school year was one of the toughest in my teaching career. Burnout loomed large, and I found myself questioning whether I could continue in the profession I love. That's when I discovered how AI could transform teachers' workloads and rekindled my excitement for educational innovation.
Joe: Watching my sister struggle was heart-wrenching. As a tech expert, I knew there had to be a way to use technology to make teachers' lives easier. When Maggie created custom GPTs that amazed her colleagues, I realized we had stumbled onto something big.
Together, we decided to channel our frustration into innovation. TeamTeacher.ai was born from a desire to support teachers, reduce burnout, and bring joy back to education.
Meet Maggie, Co-Founder & CEO
- More than a decade of teaching experience (Japan, United States, Qatar, Spain, India, Netherlands, Qatar)
- Specializes in language acquisition, Universal Design for Learning, IB Theory of Knowledge
- Máster Universitario en Educación para la Justicia Social from UAM, Madrid
- Creator of custom GPTs for teachers before co-founding TeamTeacher.ai
- Plant enthusiast, cat mom to Picasso and Eleven, reality TV aficionado
Fun Fact: At 6ft tall, Amsterdam is the first place where I don't stand out in a crowd!
Meet Joe, Co-Founder & CTO
- 10+ years in software development and product management
- Expertise in API design, data privacy, security, distributed systems
- Worked with industry leaders like Zendesk, Apollo GraphQL, and Skyflow
- Advocate for user-centric technology solutions
- Car enthusiast, pie baker, outdoor adventurer, dog dad to Nardo
Fun Fact: I can fix both bugs in code and creaky floorboards in old houses!
Our Sibling Superpower
Despite the 4,700 miles between Amsterdam and Texas, we make a great team. Maggie keeps us grounded in teachers' real needs, while Joe pushes the boundaries of what's technologically possible.
Our different perspectives lead to some amusing moments. The amount of jargon in both education and tech often leaves one of us asking, "What the **** are you talking about?" But it's this blend of expertise that makes TeamTeacher.ai unique.
Our Vision
We see education as a fundamental driver of social justice, with teachers on the front lines. We're working towards a world where teachers have:
- Professional autonomy
- Empowerment through technology
- The tools they deserve to excel without sacrificing wellbeing