In this episode, Jethro Jones interviews Brent Zirkel, an elementary principal at Mary Welsh Elementary in Williamsburg, Iowa. They discuss how Brent is utilizing AI to create curriculum, making learning more engaging and transparent for both students and parents. Brent shares his experiences, challenges, and successes in integrating AI with education, including building websites, creating learning activities, and more. They also explore the importance of localized curriculum and the role of educators in the age of AI.

• Importance of curriculum being transparent
• Making sure parents know exactly what we are teaching. 
• Web sites for classroom. 
• If you put yourself out there in the public, it motivates you to create more and better things. 
• https://Raidersocialstudies.com 
• AI makes it easier to organize your thoughts and put it in a systemic way. 
• 80/20 in work usage. 
• Middle East Unit
• Gives kids deeper ways to understand what is going on in the world. 
• Not getting kids to understand facts and dates. 
• Helping kids understand and perceive the world and make judgments. 
• American values and patriotism are very important to our community. 
• When you arm teachers with good curriculum you can have good discussions. 
• Greater freedom in the discussion point because it is a discussion, not a “lesson”. 
• Layering with AI - Using multiple technologies that wouldn’t be possible with just one AI. 
• AI Tools used: Suno (music), ChatGPT (art & more), MagicSchool (make it relevant), SchoolAI, assessments
• AI Tools are thought partners. 
• How to be a transformative principal? Good Better Best, Never Let it rest till your good is better and your better is your best. 

About Brent Zirkel:

Brent Zirkel is currently the Elementary Principal at Mary Welsh Elementary in Williamsburg, Iowa, a school of about 650 students.  He also serves as the district ELL Director, Migratory Education Program Director, and Preschool Program Director. Brent has previously served as the Associate Principal at Williamsburg Jr/Sr. High School (7-12) and Fort Madison Middle School (4-8).  Brent taught Spanish at Fort Madison High School for 12 years where he was honored for 5 consecutive years with the Terry Branstad Inspiring Teacher Award for serving as a motivational force to some of Iowa’s top-performing high school students. He has a BA in Geography and Spanish Education, an MS in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Bilingual Education (ELL), and is certified as a Pre-K-12 Administrator and Special Education Supervisor.

Brent is also a co-founder of the Test Kitchen Educational Foundation: a non-profit organization that creates innovative after-school programming for rural communities in Iowa by getting youth excited about learning through engagement in academics, culinary arts, and valuable life skills.  

Brent is married to Michelle, a K-6 Media Teacher, and has two children, Brevin (16) and Bram (10). Brent enjoys spending time with his family. He is an avid fan of Survivor, the TV show, and is a true believer in progress through struggle. Brent sees education as the greatest opportunity to build a better tomorrow by positively impacting the lives of his students today.

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