The AI Educator Podcast

In this episode of The AI Educator, Andrea Claver from EDSAFE AI speaks with Dr. Kimberly Williams, Director of College Career and Military Readiness at Richardson ISD. Kimberly emphasizes that even as the technology rapidly evolves, AI tools are catalysts for personalized learning and reducing the administrative burden on educators. Drawing parallels to the calculator and smartphone era, she argues that banning AI out of fear is counterproductive. Since students will use the technology regardless, schools should prioritize AI literacy and responsible use over restriction. Additionally, she recommends a personal approach for AI-overwhelmed educators, asking them to start with low-stakes, personal tasks to understand AI logic and limitations, then gradually apply it to higher-stakes contexts.

In this episode of The AI Educator, Andrea Claver from EDSAFE AI speaks with Emma Venetis, Senior Research Analyst at the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution. Emma sees AI's greatest potential in transforming student assessment beyond traditional point-in-time testing, envisioning interactive, multimodal tools that support students, while also tracking soft skills, progress, and specific areas of mastery. She also broadens the definition of AI safety beyond data privacy and content filters to include cognitive safety, and that implementation decisions must be rooted in the learning sciences. Additionally, Emma urges educators to prioritize preserving foundational skills and integrating AI only once there is a clear understanding of how it truly enhances core goals.

In this special edition episode of The AI Educator, Andrea Claver from EDSAFE AI speaks with Drew Olsson, Director of AI at Agua Fria Union High School District. Drew speaks about their latest iteration of their comprehensive, stakeholder-driven AI Integration Guide. He sheds light on the process of building their living document, designed to empower student agency that leverages Agua Fria’s CARE Framework (Clarity, Accuracy, Relevance, Ethics). Drew also highlights the momentum around centering the student and inclusion of student voices in defining acceptable use. Additionally, he challenges the misconception that students only use AI to cheat, the inherent limitations of this perspective, and the need for educators to start building their own AI literacy for their unique contexts!

View the Guide: https://www.aipolicylab.org/post/agua-fria-union-high-school-district-ai-integration-guide

In this episode of The AI Educator, Andrea Claver from EDSAFE AI speaks with Kelsey Karcher, Director of Advanced Learning Programs and Services at Richardson ISD. Kelsey explores the transformative potential of AI as a tool for extreme differentiation, envisioning a future where technology supports teachers in delivering multiple unique and perfectly leveled lessons simultaneously! She pushes back on the idea that AI literacy means more screen time. In fact, some of the most powerful lessons happen in low-tech conversations about ethics and machine learning, where students wrestle with the gap between can and should. Additionally, she asks education leaders to lean into the learning curve. Being a new learner isn't a weakness; it's how we build a future that actually puts students first.

In this episode of The AI Educator, Andrea Claver from EDSAFE AI speaks with Zach Kennelly, Senior Manager of STEM, AI, and Partnerships at DSST Public Schools. Zach discusses a "human-centered, AI-leveraged" approach, exploring how students can use technology as a tool to drive real-world impact in their communities while prioritizing their own unique creativity. He addresses the paradox of trust in technology, explaining why maintaining low trust in AI outputs is actually the key to fostering greater human accountability and better results. Drawing on his background as a civics teacher, Zach urges educators to "act or be acted upon," emphasizing that school leaders must lean into the discomfort of the unknown to ensure education experts—rather than just tech companies—are the ones shaping the future of learning.

In this episode of The AI Educator, Andrea Claver from EDSAFE AI speaks with Adam Browning, Director of Academic Innovation and AI Implementation at Washington Leadership Academy. Adam discusses how AI can be a catalyst for educational evolution by automating administrative tasks to reclaim time for mentoring and student relationships. He addresses common anxieties surrounding generative AI, explaining how leaders can move beyond a "tech-challenge" mindset to create safe, human-centered frameworks for implementation. Adam urges educators to embrace their role as learners and recognize that modeling an evolution-focused leadership style is the key to providing security and success for students in a rapidly changing landscape.

In this episode of the AI Educator, Andrea Claver from EDSAFE AI speaks with David Miyashiro, Superintendent of Cajon Valley Union School District. David discusses how AI can drive system-wide transformation by dismantling silos and redefining workflows to better support student outcomes. He addresses the misconception that AI is inherently unsafe, explaining how existing data privacy and interoperability standards can provide the necessary guardrails for innovation. He also offers an encouraging message for educators, urging them to embrace the role of a learner and recognize that knowledge is the key to safety and security in a changing technological landscape.

In this episode of the AI Educator, Andrea Claver from EDSAFE AI speaks with Kip Glazer, Principal of Mountain View High School and author of Ready to Lead with AI. Kip discusses the transformative potential of personalized learning for both students and staff, drawing inspiration from the Montessori philosophy of exploration. She addresses common misconceptions about AI in schools and offers a supportive perspective for school leaders feeling the pressure of rapid change, emphasizing the need for community and patience.

For our second AI Educator podcast episode, EDSAFE hosts Matt Winters, Artificial Intelligence Education Specialist at the Utah State Board of Education, who leads a statewide professional development initiative that has rapidly increased AI literacy among Utah educators. Winters discusses Utah's ambitious training program and offers a fresh perspective for those overwhelmed by the constantly evolving technological advancements in Generative AI, encouraging others to see them not just as productivity tools but as creativity machines. By describing how teachers can build projects that once took hours or even months to prepare, Winters explains how AI can unlock the creative possibilities educators have long dreamed of but couldn't pursue due to time, skill, and/or energy constraints.

Season's Greetings from The AI Educator! In this episode, host Andrea Claver steps in for a quick, solo update to catch up on everything EDSAFE AI has released during the month of December. Tune in for a valuable resource roundup detailing the key new tools we've dropped to help you navigate AI policy and safety. Plus, get an exclusive sneak peek at episode 2 dropping on January 13, 2026! Happy holidays—we'll talk to you in the New Year.

Resources:

AI Chatbots in Schools: A Practical Guide to Safety, Liability, and Mandated Reporting

AI Policy Lab Resource Hub

AI in Education: Negotiating for Our Future - Checklist for K12 Districts

AI in Education: Negotiating for Our Future - A Slide Deck for K12 Districts

AI in Education: Negotiating for Our Future - A Worksheet for K12 Districts