In recent years, we have observed a significant push to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into classrooms. This trend has sparked conversation among educators, with some viewing it optimistically while others expressing opposition. Questions like “Will AI replace educators?” “Can it genuinely assist children?” and “Is it safe?” have become prominent in every K-12 school. As a school counselor, I have found that AI can indeed aid children and is safe under supervision, as I have been using SchoolAI for years to support my students. This article will delve into my experience with AI and provide insights into effective teaching strategies around this technology.
The Role of AI in Education
While there is still much to understand about AI technologies, from my experience, it seems more likely that AI will aid educators in performing their jobs better rather than replacing them. In a school setting, the thoughtful implementation of AI provides students with opportunities to explore their future, stay on track to graduate, learn new skills, and even improve their mental health.
What’s important to note here is that one does not have to be an expert to use AI effectively. Success with AI in education is based on curiosity, trial and error, and a commitment to student well-being. The primary purpose of AI in education is not to replace educators but to expand our reach to students and our ability to respond to their individual needs, particularly when there is a staff shortage.
AI in Building Emotional Resilience
Students today face enormous emotional pressures. Given the high student-to-staff ratio, school staff can’t always be there when students need us. To mitigate this, I created a chatbot called Pickles, an emotional support bot that gives my students the opportunity to deal with small problems. By replaying their conversation with the chatbot, I can identify and address pressing issues that the student might not be comfortable discussing directly with me.
AI in Personal Career Exploration and Academic Support
As an advisor, a significant part of my job is helping students think about their future. To assist in this process, I started using an AI chatbot that engages students in a conversation about their interests, strengths, and aspirations. This approach challenges preconceived notions and biases around career options, providing students with a broader and unbiased perspective of potential career paths. Furthermore, AI can also aid students in making better academic decisions by providing information on course requirements, connecting them with resources, and assisting with their planning.
Advice for Educators
My advice to educators looking to integrate AI into their teaching strategies is to start small, use a trusted platform, and most importantly, remain human. AI should never replace the relationships that are at the core of education. However, when used wisely, it can expand your reach, personalize your impact, and unlock your students’ potential. We must prepare our students for a rapidly changing world, and having AI on our side can make this task easier.
Hanna Kemble-Mick has been an elementary school counselor for eight years. She currently works at Indian Hills Elementary, where she uses SchoolAI to improve her work. She is also the $437 Dean of Elementary School Counselors, holds the title of Kansas School Counselor of the Year, and is a 2025 School Counselor of the Year® finalist. Additionally, she serves as the Counselor Leader Coordinator for KSDE. Hanna is committed to supporting advisors and providing practical solutions for their practice.
Find out more about Hanna’s work and insights on AI in education here.
