3 Practical Ways Educators Are Using AI without Losing the Human Touch

AI is quickly becoming part of conversations in schools—but many educators are still figuring out what meaningful classroom use looks like.

In a recent session, members of our Extraordinary Educator™ Leadership Collaborative (EELC)—a group of principals from across the country recognized for driving student growth, championing access, and leading innovative schoolwide practices—shared how they’re exploring AI in their schools. 

Their experiences revealed a common theme: AI can support teaching, but teachers must remain firmly in the driver’s seat.

Here are three ways educators are exploring AI while keeping professional judgment at the center.

1. Use AI to Speed Up Lesson Planning

Some teachers are using AI tools to brainstorm lesson plans, draft lesson materials, or generate additional practice questions. 

Instead of starting from scratch, educators are saving time by using AI as a thought partner or assistant to generate content they can review, adapt, and align to their goals. 

Try This: Paste a few sample practice questions into an AI tool and ask it to generate additional questions targeting the same skill. 

Prompt: You are an experienced [grade level] teacher focusing on [standard or skill]. Work backward from your [standard or skill] to ensure each question isolates the target concept. Create five new questions for [grade level] students that assess the same skill as the example below.

• Match the rigor and format of the original question
• Include at least two questions that require student reasoning or explanation
• Use clear, grade-appropriate language
• Avoid simple recall questions

Output format:

1. List the five questions
2. Provide a complete answer key
3. Briefly explain (in one to two sentences) how each question aligns to the target skill
   

Example questions:
[paste questions]

Teacher Check

Before using AI-generated materials, ask yourself:

• Does this align with the standard I’m teaching?
• Is it accurate and appropriate for my students?
• Does the task still require meaningful thinking, not just recall?

Always Do This

• Review all AI-generated content before using it
• Ensure tasks maintain rigor and instructional purpose
• Treat AI as a starting point, not the final product

AI can generate possibilities, but teachers decide what actually supports learning.

2. Use AI to Explore Ways to Differentiate Instruction

Meeting the needs of every learner is one of the most complex parts of teaching. Some educators are working with AI to quickly adjust reading levels, modify assignments, or break down standards into manageable learning targets.

These approaches can help teachers explore possibilities more quickly, but their knowledge of their students ultimately determines what works best.

Try This: Paste a short passage into an AI tool and ask it to rewrite the text for two different reading levels. 
Prompt: You are an experienced [grade level] teacher. Rewrite the passage below for [grade level] students at two distinct reading levels: one below grade level and one above grade level.

• Keep the main idea and key content the same
• Adjust vocabulary, sentence length, and structure to match each level
• Maintain academic rigor while making the text more accessible
• Keep the tone and meaning consistent with the original passage

Output format:

1. Below-grade level version
2. Above-grade level version
3. Key vocabulary (bolded within each version)
4. Brief explanation (two to three bullet points) describing what changed and why

Passage:
[paste text]

Teacher Check

• Does the revision preserve the key idea?
• Is the language still authentic and meaningful?
• Will this actually improve student understanding?

Always Do This

• Use generic descriptions, not student-specific details
• Watch for oversimplification and inaccuracies
• Keep expectations high while making content more accessible

AI can help you explore possibilities more quickly, but your knowledge of your students ultimately determines what works best.

3. Use AI Assessment Tools When Embedded and Teacher Guided

AI-powered features in some instructional platforms are helping teachers analyze student work more quickly. These tools are most effective when they are seamlessly embedded into existing systems and workflows teachers already use.

In these contexts, AI can help:

• Identify patterns in student performance
• Highlight common errors across a class
• Suggest small group instruction or next steps

AI is particularly effective at processing large amounts of data quickly—but it works best when paired with teacher expertise and built into tools that support daily instruction.

For example, technologies like voice AI, which we are researching and testing, can analyze student reading fluency and quickly provide performance data back to the teacher. This can significantly reduce the time teachers spend on one-on-one assessments while still surfacing actionable data, while retaining full agency. Teachers receive performance data, listen to recordings, override scoring, and use those insights to inform instruction.

Teacher Check

When evaluating AI-powered assessment tools, consider whether they:

• Integrate into platforms and workflows you already use
• Provide clear, actionable insights—not just data
• Allow you to review and override results
• Protect student data and privacy
• Support your instructional decisions rather than replace them
• Are always the best tool for all students

Always Do This

• Use AI insights to inform—not replace decisions
• Review and override AI-generated data when needed
• Add personalized, human feedback

The most effective tools are designed with teacher agency at the center—ensuring educators can interpret, adjust, and act on AI-generated insights.

How Schools Are Addressing AI Concerns

Principals also raised important questions about responsible AI use, including concerns about inaccurate information, over-reliance on technology, and student misuse.

Many schools are responding by developing clear guidelines and teaching responsible use. Some approaches include:

• Modeling how to question and evaluate AI responses
• Encouraging students to question accuracy, identify bias, and verify AI-generated information
• Designing assignments that require original thinking and explanation
• Setting clear expectations for when and how AI can be used in class to support academic integrity
• Modeling transparency by clearly sharing when and how AI tools are used
• Working with technology providers that protect student data and comply with laws like COPPA and FERPA
• Using AI responsibly by avoiding copyrighted or proprietary materials unless permitted and aligned to school policies

These steps help ensure AI supports learning while safeguarding student data, upholding academic integrity, and keeping student thinking at the center.

The Bottom Line: AI Can Assist, but Teachers Must Lead

A few themes emerged clearly from the discussion: AI may be most useful during planning and assessment. AI can save time by helping teachers explore ideas, generate materials, surfacing insights, and prepare differentiated resources faster. But the work of teaching—responding to student thinking, guiding discussion, and building relationships—remains deeply human.

The most effective classrooms will treat AI as a planning assistant or thought partner, while teachers remain the designers of instruction and the drivers of learning.

To learn more about using AI responsibly in the classroom, check out these resources:

Safeguarding Students—Why Responsible AI in Education Is Essential
Voice AI Tools in the Classroom: 5 Practical Questions
From Assessment to Intervention—Insights from a Reading Specialist