Keeping Tutoring Human in the Age of AI with Mindy Sjoblom and Catherine Tierney of OnYourMark

Mar 23, 2026

Mindy Sjoblom, founder and CEO of OnYourMark, scales research-backed virtual high-dosage tutoring for early readers. Catherine Tierney, Head of Product and Program, designs human-centered, evidence-based learning tech. They discuss using AI as an insight layer rather than a replacement, translating RCT-backed research into practical tools, real-time tutor feedback, and how AI’s role should differ by student age.

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INSIGHT

Research First Virtual Tutoring Scaled Nationally

OnYourMark began as a research-validated virtual high-dosage tutoring program focused on early readers and scaled to thousands of students.
They ran an RCT showing positive effects and expanded from K–2 to K–5 while keeping a virtual model to reduce local operational burden.

INSIGHT

AI As An Insight Layer To Amplify Relationships

OnYourMark treats AI as an insight layer, not a replacement, keeping humans as owners of relationships between tutors, students, and coaches.
Catherine emphasized AI gives coaches visibility and ‘superpowers’ to create more meaningful human connections by surfacing actionable patterns.

ADVICE

Validate AI Feedback Through Coaches Before Sharing

Keep human judgment central by routing AI feedback through coaches who validate and contextualize it before sharing with tutors.
OnYourMark's workflow trains models with coach corrections so AI improves while humans decide what tutors actually receive.

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Mindy Sjoblom is the Founder and CEO of OnYourMark, a research-backed virtual tutoring organization serving thousands of elementary students nationwide. Catherine Tierney is Head of Product and Program at OnYourMark, bringing deep experience from Match Education, MyCoach, and ThinkCERCA to the design of human-centered, evidence-based learning technology.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why AI works best as an insight layer rather than a replacement for human tutors
How OnYourMark scaled high-dosage tutoring while maintaining quality and consistency
What it takes to translate RCT-backed research into daily instructional practice
Where human judgment remains essential in AI-supported tutoring models
How the role of AI in learning may differ across age groups and contexts

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:02:38] Mindy Sjoblom on OnYourMark’s origins and scaling high-dosage tutoring post-pandemic
[00:05:59] Catherine Tierney on designing AI to strengthen—not replace—human relationships
[00:07:36] How RCT evidence and authentic learning data power OnYourMark’s AI tools
[00:12:04] Real-time feedback and why tutors want more visibility into their practice
[00:15:36] The tension between flexibility and fidelity when scaling tutoring across schools
[00:16:21] The future of AI-supported human tutoring and what the next five years may hold
[00:19:55] Why AI use in learning must look different for younger vs. older students
[00:22:20] What excites—and worries—Mindy and Catherine about AI in education today

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