An interview with Software Engineer Mariya Giy and Professor Dr. Anastasiia Timmer
The United States' student discipline policies generally lead to punitive measures. A sudden drop in grades, a withdrawn attitude, or behavioral outbursts are too often met with suspension, detention, or disciplinary notes sent home. But what if technology could help adults notice signs earlier - and act with empathy, not consequence?
We sat down with Mariya Giy, who combines her academic background in empirical sociology with her role as Software Engineer at the K--12 communication platform ParentSquare, and Dr. Anastasiia Timmer, criminology and justice studies professor at California State University (CSUN), to discuss their joint research and development project: the Early Insight & Engagement System (EIES) (pronounce like 'eyes').
Their collaboration is at the intersection of artificial intelligence, education, adolescent psychology, and ethical design to help recognize initial signs of student distress and enable schools and families to take supportive actions.
"You can't help what you can't see."
Q: Where did the idea for EIES come from?
Mariya Giy: The idea for EIES emerged from my academic research, engineering work, and experience as a parent.
In my postgraduate research, I explored adolescent behavior and communication networks, revealing that early warning signs often go unnoticed. I analyzed extensive datasets to identify patterns showing student isolation and risk. In my career in engineering, I applied this data-driven approach to building intelligent systems at some of the world's most recognized multibillion-dollar tech companies. I saw firsthand how well-structured data pipelines and predictive insights can drive meaningful action.
Working at ParentSquare showed me the direct impact purpose-built technology can have on school-community relationships and family-educator communication. That is why I wish to extend my research on technological solutions that aid student mental health and behavioral regulation.
As a parent, I know it's difficult to only learn about a problem after it's a crisis. I wanted to build something that could identify the changes in youth before the worst, so we can provide a solution early.
Dr. Anastasiia Timmer: In criminology, we study how environmental pressures affect youth behavior. Labeling students as 'bad kids' can set them on a harmful trajectory, with research showing that such labeling increases the likelihood of delinquency. Exclusionary discipline, like suspensions, often leads to academic failure and a higher risk of entering the criminal justice system. While proponents of retributive justice argue harsh punishments reduce criminality, studies show they're ineffective. Stricter discipline can increase classroom disruptions and future arrests (Posey & Timmer, 2024).
Longitudinal studies, such as those using Add Health data, show that harsh policies diminish reflective decision-making, weakening youth's ability to prevent violence. Furthermore, these practices disproportionately impact racial and ethnic minorities, exacerbating existing social inequalities. Rather than reducing offending, exclusionary discipline deepens racial disparities in the justice system. EIES aims to stop labeling and provide early insights to help educators and families intervene effectively before problems escalate.
Q: What makes EIES technically innovative compared to other AI or early-warning systems in education?
Mariya Giy: EIES isn't just another research initiative; it's a next-generation behavioral intelligence system designed to bridge the gap between raw data and real-world action. Powered by advanced AI, modular logic, and behavioral science, EIES transforms passive student data into dynamic, predictive insights. It converts static data into evolving foresight, delivering low-frequency, context-aware insights that grow with every interaction.
The output is emotionally intelligent and practical. Each week, teachers and parents receive simple, actionable prompts, not alarms, but gentle nudges. Things like:
- "Try a group-based activity this week."
- "Check in with your child about their peer connections."
These suggestions aren't generic. They're targeted, research-based, and designed to support students before a crisis begins.
Dr. Timmer: Behavioral issues in many schools today can often result in punishments like detention, suspension, or expulsion. However, there is a lack of combined effort between scholars and policy makers related to understanding and addressing the root causes of these behaviors, such as family issues, school environment, or peer problems. In fact, those behaviors can also be signs of stress, isolation, confusion, or emotional overload. Without a proper understanding of what drives youth deviance, school punishment will never be successful. EIES redirects our focus from punishment to early intervention.
We also use interaction analysis. Rather than saying, "X behavior always means Y," we ask, "When does X mean Y? For whom? Under what conditions?" This helps us to capture the nuance of adolescent behavior - self-control, morality, stress, peer influence - so adults can respond with understanding rather than consequence. It's a human-centered approach that bridges science and thoughtful technology.
EIES is ultimately a human-centered system. It doesn't just collect data; it uses science to interpret patterns, and technology to foster empathy and connection, to help students feel seen and supported before crises emerge.
Q: How does the system actually work? What powers it?
Mariya Giy: At its core, EIES is built on a next-generation, multi-channel data fusion architecture, a kind of high-resolution "behavioral radar" for the modern classroom. It synchronizes signals across multiple input streams: emoji-based student mood check-ins, parent pulse surveys, and institutional metrics like academic momentum shifts and disciplinary trends.
Using signal processing and behavioral inference models, EIES identifies tiny micro shifts in engagement, sentiment tone, and social cohesion. Signals are translated into a behavioral vector space, which is continually analyzed to identify small changes before they can develop into large-scale disruptive patterns.
Where it's powerful is in translating this complexity into clarity. Through continuous pattern recognition and feedback loops, the system produces concise, actionable nudges for teachers and parents. If a cluster of students is showing signs of stress or disconnection, EIES might recommend a collaborative activity designed to restore emotional alignment and peer trust.
This is not passive monitoring, it's real-time cognitive detection at scale. It's about using data not only to observe, but to intervene early, compassionately, and constructively.
Dr. Timmer: This process is based on scientific research. Proper intervention at this stage can prevent most behavioral problems in the future. However, one has to look at the background of the child. This is why we integrate scientific insights directly into the system design, ensuring that EIES is both useful and predictive. We draw from research on family stress, peer conflict, neighborhood dynamics, and school climate to ensure our recommendations are rooted in empathy and relevant context.
Q: Who benefits most from this system?
Mariya Giy: For those students who may not normally trigger the red flags of the conventional system, but may be slowly emotionally disconnecting or withdrawing. With early signs, we hope to catch it before it grows into a problem.
Dr. Timmer: And teachers, school counselors, and parents, too. They're overwhelmed. They often don't have the time to notice subtle shifts in behavior, but EIES provides just enough context to help them respond in a supportive way.
Q: How else could schools use a tool like EIES?
Dr. Timmer: EIES could play a critical role in preventing first-time offenses from escalating, both in schools and juvenile justice agencies. For example, in Florida, research-policy partnerships have helped shift away from zero-tolerance policies, recognizing that a single school-based arrest or suspension can double a student's chance of repeating a grade. Grade retention, in turn, is a strong predictor of dropout rates.
Mariya Giy: Our vision extends far beyond individual students. Based on our research, we oppose punitive policies, advocate for fair funding, and promote restorative alternatives to punishment. EIES turns data into action for educators, school districts, and policymakers to create a more just and equitable future for all students.
Dr. Timmer: Many schools rely on school resource officers who are trained in law enforcement rather than adolescent development. EIES provides preemptive, proactive solutions instead of fighting fire with fire. Schools are given early access to real, easy-to-use resources based on empathy. It's about addressing the problem before it becomes a crisis.
Q: What's next for the project?
Mariya Giy: We have moved from the core fieldwork activities phase and are now actively building the prototype using anonymized data. The next step will be to perform focus groups and hands-on studies with teachers and parents to observe how the system performs in a real-world environment. This critical stage will help us refine the insights and user experience, ensuring the project delivers practical, meaningful support where it matters most.
Dr. Timmer: While we continue developing this technology, we're also focused on shifting the culture in schools. EIES is not only a tool but also a movement. It's a movement toward early and empathetic engagement. It's a philosophy that believes when behavioral science and educational practice combine, educators can harness the information needed to prevent problems before they occur.
Q: If you had to sum up EIES in one sentence?
Mariya Giy: AI should be a bridge between data and empathy, helping educators and families notice what matters.
Dr. Timmer: Exactly. Support comes from scientific insight. That's the core of EIES.
In a world where students are often too ashamed to talk about their struggles, their problems often go unaddressed. EIES offers a new approach. By combining data, science, and empathy, it provides educators and parents with the tools to support students earlier, with greater understanding - and, ultimately, with more impact.
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