May | 2026 | Learning as I go: Reflections & lessons learned

Preparing Educators for an AI Future Means Preparing Leaders First

In my last article, I shared my thoughts about what I’ve been learning from working with district leadership teams across the country as they navigate questions about artificial intelligence, digital wellness, and purposeful technology use. My work has provided me with tremendous opportunities to learn from educators, students, and families.

Conversations about screen time, purposeful technology use, and digital balance are happening everywhere. What I’ve found most insightful is when students and educators have the chance to sit down and engage in open, honest conversations about these topics and learn from one another. I’ve noticed a common theme in most of these conversations. We have to focus on more than just the technology, especially when talking about AI use in schools. Frequently, the focus is first on specific tools. When talking about artificial intelligence happening in schools, the questions have been:

Which platform should we allow? What should students be permitted to use? What policies do we need?

These are important questions. But they are not the first questions schools should be asking.

The first question schools should be asking is:

How prepared are our educators to lead in an AI-shaped learning environment?

Successful implementation is not about technology adoption.

Introducing AI into classrooms is easy. Supporting educators to understand how to use it meaningfully is the real work. And with support comes confidence.

Educator readiness is the real implementation strategy

Across the districts I have worked with, I’ve noticed that the biggest predictor of successful AI integration is not the access to tools, but whether or not educators feel supported as they navigate the changes happening.

I believe that schools will see more progress and success when there are goals set. Educators must have time to explore. Expectations need to be communicated clearly and with a consistent message. Policies must be in place, and they should emphasize guidance rather than restriction. AI implementation and any technology integration succeed when educators understand not only how to use tools, but why they should use them, and what the impact is on student learning. This is what I am hearing from students around the country.

Across classrooms nationwide, students are using an increasing number of digital tools in their classes. However, I am hearing from them that they are not always consistently guided on how to use them safely, ethically, and responsibly. Students wanting clarity is a powerful insight. Students wanting more purposeful use of technology is an even more powerful insight. How can this happen?

By supporting educators, because it helps to then support students.

Leadership sets the tone

One of the most powerful influences on AI adoption, technology use, and the establishment of standards for communication and screen time in a school system is leadership modeling.

When administrators ask for feedback, communicate transparently, dive in to explore tools with teachers, and acknowledge uncertainty while providing direction, they create a safe environment for innovation. Leadership like this builds trust, and trust makes responsible implementation possible.

Preparing students means preparing adults first

Students will graduate and enter workplaces shaped by automation, intelligent systems, and evolving expectations around collaboration with technology. According to the World Economic Forum, technological literacy is #3 for 2030. #1 is AI and #2 is cybersecurity. Students are not the only ones preparing for that future. Educators need to be prepared so that our students are too.

Professional learning on AI is no longer an option. It is an essential part of instructional readiness. The schools making the most progress right now are engaging in conversations to build systems that help educators adapt confidently as change continues. And that may be the most important preparation strategy of all.

Supporting educators means strengthening entire school systems. This is one of the most important investments districts can make as they prepare students for an AI-shaped, AI-driven future.

Stay tuned for part 3 of this Leading Forward Series.

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If Your Organization Is Beginning This Work

I help schools and other organizations (law firms, healthcare professionals, business owners) implement AI responsibly through policy guidance, professional learning, and classroom-ready strategies grounded in both instructional practice and legal insight.

My sessions focus on helping teams:

• understand what AI can and cannot do

• recognize responsible-use considerations

• build confidence using emerging tools

•align implementation with organizational priorities

If your school, district, or organization is beginning conversations or looking to dive in and learn more about AI policy, professional learning, or responsible implementation, I’d welcome the opportunity to support your next steps through leadership workshops, keynote sessions, or strategic planning partnerships.

Preparing people is what makes AI implementation successful.

About Rachelle

Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth is a Spanish and STEAM: What’s Next in Emerging Technology Teacher. Rachelle is also an attorney with a Juris Doctor degree from Duquesne University School of Law and a Master’s in Instructional Technology. Rachelle received her Doctorate in Instructional Technology, with a research focus on AI and Professional Development. In addition to teaching, she is a full-time consultant and works with companies and organizations to provide PD, speaking, and consulting services. Contact Rachelle for your event!

Rachelle is an ISTE-certified educator and community leader who served as president of the ISTE Teacher Education Network. By EdTech Digest, she was named the EdTech Trendsetter of 2024, one of 30 K-12 IT Influencers to follow in 2021, and one of 150 Women Global EdTech Thought Leaders in 2022.

She is the author of ten books, including ‘What The Tech? An Educator’s Guide to AI, AR/VR, the Metaverse and More” and ‘How To Teach AI’. In addition, other books include, “In Other Words: Quotes That Push Our Thinking,” “Unconventional Ways to Thrive in EDU,” “The Future is Now: Looking Back to Move Ahead,” “Chart A New Course: A Guide to Teaching Essential Skills for Tomorrow’s World, “True Story: Lessons That One Kid Taught Us,” “Things I Wish […] Knew” and her newest “How To Teach AI” is available from ISTE or on Amazon.

Contact Rachelle to schedule sessions about Artificial Intelligence, AI and the Law, Coding, AR/VR, and more for your school or event! Submit the Contact Form.

Follow Rachelle on Bluesky, Instagram, and X at @Rdene915

Subscribe to my ThriveinEDU newsletter to stay informed. (If you receive my newsletter, you may have read this, but just in case…here is part I)

Over the past eight months, I’ve had the opportunity to work with educators, school leaders, and district teams from twelve districts across the country as they navigate one of the biggest shifts education has experienced in decades: the arrival of artificial intelligence in everyday teaching and learning. This work is part of a national digital wellness and innovation initiative supporting districts as they develop responsible approaches to emerging technologies.

I work with a Task Force from each district to evaluate policies, create resources for families, and decide when and how to begin teaching students about AI, as well as how best to support educators. And some of these Task Forces include students and parents. We have had many conversations about digital wellness, digital citizenship, screentime, and, of course, AI.

The conversations about AI included shared concerns, questions, and challenges. However, what has stood out the most in these conversations with these schools is not fear. It’s curiosity.

In classrooms, teachers are asking thoughtful questions about how AI can support student thinking rather than replace it. Administrators are working to align emerging tools with existing priorities such as digital citizenship, academic integrity, and student wellness. District teams are exploring how policy can move beyond restriction toward responsible guidance. Some are even completely rewriting their policies to align with these changes and make sure that a common language is used.

Recently, my work has included:

• Supporting district digital wellness and AI implementation planning

• Leading professional learning sessions on responsible AI use

• Presenting on AI and the law for educators

• Visiting classrooms to observe how students are already interacting with AI tools

• Collaborating with leadership teams and developing next-step strategies for staff support

• Designing activities for administrators and educators to evaluate policies and effective AI use

One consistent theme continues to emerge:

Districts, educators, and students are ready to lead.

Educators are not waiting for perfect answers to the big AI questions. They are considering the best pedagogical practices for using AI that protect students while expanding opportunities.

The most successful districts I’m working with right now are focusing on three priorities:

Supporting educator confidence: They need clarity, examples, and time to explore.
Creating shared expectations for responsible use across classrooms and grade levels
Preparing students to think critically about AI-generated information.

Artificial intelligence isn’t just a technology conversation.

It’s a leadership conversation.

And I’m excited to continue working with and learning alongside school districts as they move forward with clarity, purpose, and a strong commitment to keeping human relationships at the center of innovation.

Providing the training

Artificial intelligence is changing expectations across nearly every profession. Schools are not the only organizations preparing for this shift.

In my work as an educator, attorney, and national presenter on responsible AI implementation, I support organizations as they explore how AI connects to decision-making, ethics, communication, and everyday professional practice.