Sarah Tierney is the Senior Director of Learning and Integration at Teaching Lab Studio, where she leads the organization’s educator-in-the-loop design model – a core approach that embeds continuous collaboration with educators into every stage of product development and professional learning. Grounded in a deep belief that those closest to teaching and learning must play a central role in shaping solutions – and that all students deserve access to an excellent, equitable education – she elevates educator voice as a critical driver of innovation and impact. Through this approach, she ensures that AI-powered tools and services are rooted in real classroom practice, iteratively refined through user insight, and designed to drive measurable impact at scale.

Sarah also leads the implementation of scalable professional learning approaches that strengthen curriculum use and educator effectiveness through the integration of innovative AI tools. With over 18 years of experience driving instructional improvement and system-level change across schools, districts, and state agencies, Sarah has partnered with system leaders nationwide to develop assessment, instructional, and professional learning strategies. Her work is anchored in translating research-based practices into coherent, districtwide systems and in building partnerships that improve teaching and learning at scale.

Sarah's teaching journey began at P.S. 70 in Bronx, NY, where she taught 4th and 5th grade. She holds an MA in International Studies and History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master of Science in Teaching from Pace University, New York.