Education has always been a journey of the evolution of tools we use in the classroom. From chalkboards to smartboards, textbooks to tablets and Chromebooks, every generation of teachers has faced a moment where the familiar gives way to the unknown. Today, that moment is defined by artificial intelligence, a tool that is bigger and more complex than any that has come before it. It isn’t a new gadget, and it isn’t a new pedagogical approach to learning. It holds both promise and uncertainty.

I remember the hours upon hours that I spent developing a unit of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I created vocabulary lists, chapter by chapter comprehension questions, end of chapter activities, comparison essay prompts, grammatically incorrect sentences for students to correct based on content from the book, character analysis activities, and so much more. I had a 2” binder filled with incredible resources for this book. With the emergence of AI, I wonder if all of that work is pointless. Do I need to redevelop what I made or is there a way for me to reuse it alongside AI?

For many educators, the introduction of AI feels like standing at a crossroads. On one side, there is the comfort of well-established teaching methods, years of experience, and hard-earned expertise. On the other, a rapidly changing landscape where AI is rewriting the rules of how students learn, process information, and engage with content.

It’s natural to ask: Where do I fit in? Am I being left behind? What happens to everything I’ve built if the way I teach needs to change?

These questions aren’t signs of failure, they are signs of growth.

The Fear of the Unknown

Anytime we are asked to step into something new, uncertainty can feel overwhelming. Many teachers wonder:

• What if I don’t understand AI well enough to use it effectively?
• Will my role as an educator be diminished?
• What happens to the lessons and materials I’ve carefully crafted over the years?

These concerns are valid. Change often comes with discomfort, especially when it challenges the identity we have established that seems to be intertwined with our profession and the expertise we’ve built over time. But history shows that education has never been static, it has always adapted, and its strongest contributors have been those willing to embrace curiosity over fear.

The key to moving forward isn’t mastering AI overnight, it’s recognizing that growth starts with a willingness to learn. The first step often takes the most faith, but it leads on a journey with endless possibilities. 

Reframing “Failure” as Growth

Whenever there are significant changes in education, it’s easy to feel like the ground beneath us is unsteady. Some educators may even question whether they are “falling behind” or if there is enough time left in their career to ever catch up. But here’s a truth worth holding onto:

Growth rarely happens without discomfort.

Moments of challenge aren’t a sign of failure or falling behind; they are an opportunity to reshape and refine our approach. But growth often starts where confidence wavers.

Think back to when you were a brand-new teacher. There were struggles, moments of doubt, and maybe even a few lessons that flopped. But you adapted, refined your craft, and grew into the educator you are today.

The changes you have made as an educator did not come from erasing the past, but by building upon it. The wisdom and experience you bring to the classroom are irreplaceable. AI isn’t here to diminish that, it’s here to enhance it.

What if we stopped seeing AI as something that threatens our profession and instead viewed it as a tool that amplifies our purpose?

Some practical ways to reframe AI’s role in education:

• Automate tasks that take time away from personal connections. Let AI handle administrative work so that teachers can focus on mentorship, relationship-building, and deeper discussions.
• Use AI as a thinking partner. Platforms like NotebookLM can summarize research, organize lesson ideas, and help you work smarter, not harder.
• Empower students to challenge AI. Instead of banning it, teach students how to question its responses, fact-check, and think critically. AI should be a tool for deep thinking, not a shortcut to answers.
• Experiment without pressure. Try one small AI tool in a low-stakes way, such as using SchoolAI for student-led inquiry or discussion prompts. Start where you’re comfortable.
• Use AI as a co-pilot, not a replacement. Just as calculators didn’t replace math teachers, AI won’t replace educators, but it will change how they teach.

The challenge is not to resist AI out of fear but to find ways to integrate it meaningfully, allowing it to free up space for the things that have a deeper and longer lasting impact: application.

Addressing the Ethical Concerns

It’s not just fear holding some teachers back; it’s genuine concerns about AI’s impact on student learning.

• Can we trust AI-generated information?

• Does this make cheating easier?

These are important questions, and ignoring them isn’t the answer. Instead, we, as teachers, should lead the conversation about AI ethics in the classroom:

• Teach students how AI works, its limitations, and its biases. Understanding AI prepares them to use it responsibly.
• Encourage AI as a starting point, not the final answer. I often say that AI is my assistant, not my answer. Use it to spark ideas, generate different perspectives, and enhance projects, but always with a critical eye.
• Set boundaries. Just as we guide students on research methods, we can set clear expectations for AI use in assignments. Have students get approval for the tools they use and make sure students are aware that you reserve the right to have a follow-up conversation with them. 

Education isn’t about avoiding hard questions. It’s about teaching students how to wrestle with them, and AI provides the perfect opportunity to do so.

Moving Forward with Purpose

So, how does an educator embrace this shift without feeling lost in the process? The first step is to recognize that no one is expected to have it all figured out right away. Change is a journey, not a sudden leap.

Here are a few guiding principles to navigate this transition:

• Start small. You don’t need to overhaul your entire approach overnight. Begin by exploring one AI tool in a way that complements your existing teaching style.
• Seek community. Learning is always more effective when done together. Find other educators who are experimenting, adapting, and sharing insights. Social media is a great place to find your community.
• Adopt a learning mindset. Just as we encourage students to be lifelong learners, educators must also be willing to adapt and grow. Every challenge presents an opportunity to discover something new. (see my article, The Journey of Growth: Intentional Strategies for Educators)

Most importantly, trust the value of your role. AI may provide information, but wisdom, mentorship, and inspiration are uniquely human traits. Technology cannot replace the heart of a teacher.

Embracing the Journey

The world of education is shifting, and AI is undeniably part of that transformation. But rather than seeing this as a loss of control, what if we saw it as an invitation to reimagine what’s possible?

The most impactful teachers aren’t the ones who resist change—they are the ones who engage with it thoughtfully, adapt with purpose, and remain steadfast in their mission to empower students.

The question isn’t “Will AI change education?” It already is. The real question is:

How will you use this moment to grow?