Want to Get AI in Schools Right? Start by Listening to Teachers
I was invited to join the conversation as a subject matter expert in educational technology, offering insights on how AI can be effectively introduced into classrooms to support teachers and students.
In my main business, Limonade Media, I approach AI through a process-focused lens—prioritizing policies, workflows, teacher training, and assessment design. For me, AI in schools, according to teachers, only makes sense when it strengthens the systems already shaping classroom learning.
How Teachers Want AI to Work in Schools
Policies
Teachers should help shape the rules. This includes setting clear expectations for when and how AI is used in the classroom, and making sure it's done fairly and transparently.
Workflows
Schools need a simple process to try AI tools, gather feedback from teachers and students, and make improvements over time.
Teacher Training
Give teachers the tools and training they need to feel confident using AI in class. Focus on real examples and ways to keep learning fair for everyone.
Assessment Design
Focus less on final answers and more on how students get there. Encourage drafts, source use, and explanations that show real thinking.
🎥 Watch: What Teachers Really Think About AI in Schools
In this segment of El Calentón con Sonia Valentín, I share the panel with public and private education leaders.
Watch the discussion here:
The Voices of Educators Matter
Two key perspectives grounded the conversation:
- Miguel Rivera, Vice President, Federación de Maestros de Puerto Rico (public schools): resource gaps, academic integrity, and the need for teacher‑led policy.
- Wanda Ayala Torres, Asociación de Educación Privada (private schools): re‑engineering learning beyond memorization toward inquiry, with teachers guiding AI use.
Despite different contexts, both underscored the same principle: AI in schools, according to teachers, should support—not replace—student thinking.
Why I Focus on AI as a Process—Not Just a Tool
New apps and tools come and go, but strong processes last. When schools think about AI as part of a bigger process—not just something to install—we make sure it actually supports how teachers teach and how students learn.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
- Governance: AI policies should be shaped by teachers—public and private—including voices like the Federación de Maestros de Puerto Rico.
- Instruction: Teachers need clear, transparent ways to use AI in class, with a focus on building critical thinking and offering bilingual support.
- Assessment: Instead of just grading final products, we need to see how students think—using drafts, citations, and oral explanations.
- Equity: Before we try the latest AI tool, let’s make sure every student and teacher has the basics: devices, internet, accessible tools, and real training.
What Teachers Are Asking For
- Clear guardrails so AI augments learning without encouraging shortcuts.
- Professional development that is practical, bilingual, and classroom‑ready.
- A seat at the table from policy to procurement.
- Assessment designs that reward process, not just polished outputs.
Practical Ways Teachers Are Using AI in the Classroom
Planning and Differentiation
- Use AI to generate outlines, question ideas, and practice materials. Teachers always review before using in class.
- Create customized materials for different student needs, with built-in checks for accuracy.
Feedback and Mastery
- Use AI to help draft comments on student work, based on rubrics and learning goals.
- Encourage students to explain their thinking through discussions or oral presentations.
Integrity and Transparency
- Ask students to disclose when they use AI and include drafts or notes showing how they worked through their ideas.
- Focus on the learning process, not just the final product. Support multiple stages of student work.
From Listening to Action: A Simple Plan for Schools
1 Start by Listening
- Host open conversations with teachers from both public and private schools.
- Identify current challenges like plagiarism, tech gaps, and time limitations.
- Highlight real opportunities for AI: faster feedback, better differentiation, and smarter planning.
2 Build Policy & Training Together
- Involve teacher unions like the Federación de Maestros de Puerto Rico and private school leaders.
- Create clear, simple guidelines for AI use, transparency, and fair assessment.
- Provide bilingual training and real examples that teachers can apply right away.
3 Pilot Small. Learn Fast. Improve as You Go.
- Start with a single subject, grade, or school team.
- Measure what matters: student engagement, academic honesty, and teacher time saved.
- Use feedback to refine the approach—then scale what works.
Let’s Build AI in Schools the Right Way—With Teachers Leading
If we really want AI to improve education, it has to be shaped by the people who know the classroom best—our teachers. When we design around their experience, needs, and workflows, we create something better than just another tech rollout.
That’s the real power of AI in schools according to teachers: a future where technology supports critical thinking, promotes equity, and helps students do meaningful, original work.
