Teaching in the Age of AI: What Only Real Educators (and Families) Can Do

These days, AI is everywhere. From generating lesson plans to answering questions, it seems like there’s a tool for everything. As an educator who creates curriculum almost every day, I’ve been reflecting on the role of AI in education—and why professional expertise still matters more than ever.

Right now, my work is varied and deeply hands-on: I’m providing lesson plan support for a first-year teacher, drafting proposals for potential partner organizations, designing curriculum for a client in Spain, developing a coaching program for a struggling teacher, and creating personalized lessons for my tutoring clients. Each of these tasks requires careful planning, creativity, and deep knowledge of student needs. AI can sometimes help with a draft or a template, but it can’t replicate the thoughtful decision-making, adaptability, and instructional expertise that guide these projects.

Even when AI produces content that seems “good enough,” it rarely captures the nuances that make a lesson engaging, accessible, and effective for every student.

Often, using AI requires extra time to check for errors, clarify confusing wording, and fill in missing pieces. In contrast, skilled educators anticipate potential stumbling blocks, recognize opportunities to spark curiosity, and adjust lessons in real-time to meet learners where they are. These are human skills that technology cannot replace.

Professional expertise doesn’t just ensure content accuracy—it transforms learning. As a curriculum writer, educator, and coach, I design lessons that challenge students, build stamina, and develop critical thinking. I know how to scaffold instruction, differentiate tasks, and make complex topics approachable. These subtle, intentional strategies make all the difference between a lesson that students complete and a lesson that truly helps them grow.

Families also play a vital role in supporting student learning at home.

While you don’t need to be an educator, there are simple ways to nurture curiosity, confidence, and problem-solving skills in everyday life:

• Ask open-ended questions. Encourage your child to explain their thinking, reason through problems, or imagine different outcomes.

• Spark curiosity. Explore topics together and ask “why” and “how” questions to deepen understanding.

• Use everyday situations. Math, reading, and problem-solving opportunities exist in cooking, shopping, or even planning a weekend activity.

• Reflect together. After reading a book, completing a project, or solving a problem, ask your child what they learned and what they would do differently next time.

• Model lifelong learning. Share your own interests, read alongside your child, or learn something new together to show that curiosity never stops.

  
  

These tips create small but powerful moments for growth, and they work even better when paired with skilled instruction at school or in tutoring sessions.

AI is a powerful tool, but it works best when paired with human expertise. Together, technology and skilled educators can give students the best of both worlds: efficiency and accuracy from AI, and inspiration, guidance, and personalized support from real teachers. By taking a proactive role at home, families can join in that partnership and help their children thrive academically and personally.

Want more ideas like these? Click HERE to download my free guide with actionable strategies for supporting your child’s learning at home.