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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:

1. Supporting educator confidence: They need clarity, examples, and time to explore.
2. Creating shared expectations for responsible use across classrooms and grade levels
3. 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.

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