AI is already changing education. But how can schools embrace its possibilities without losing sight of what matters most — student learning?

In this episode of the Making Schools Work podcast, SREB’s Daniel Rock and Leslie Eaves talk with Amos Fodchuk, founder of Advanced Learning Partnerships, about what it takes to bring AI into schools thoughtfully and sustainably.

Drawing on his work with schools and districts across the United States and Canada, Amos explains why successful AI implementation isn’t about getting everyone to use the latest tools. It’s about helping educators and leaders make better decisions about when, why and how to use technology.

The conversation explores Virginia’s statewide approach to AI professional learning, the importance of starting with school and district leadership, and how educators can use AI to strengthen instruction without sacrificing professional judgment.

You’ll hear how schools and educators can:

• Lead meaningful change: Build AI literacy among school and district leaders before expecting teachers to transform their practices.
• Put teaching before technology: Focus on proven instructional strategies instead of training educators on tools that may quickly change.
• Make professional learning stick: Combine flexible virtual courses with collaboration, coaching and job-embedded support.
• Use AI to improve instruction: Save planning time, strengthen formative assessment and create more opportunities for deeper learning.
• Find the right balance: Recognize when technology supports learning — and when it becomes a distraction.
• Rethink assessment: Design assignments that reveal what students truly know and can do instead of relying on tasks AI can easily complete.
• Start small: Find trusted colleagues, identify a meaningful instructional goal and take the next step toward using AI with purpose.

Daniel, Leslie and Amos also share personal examples of how their own children use AI to study, solve problems and learn in ways that work for them — while considering the risks of taking shortcuts.

The big takeaway? Schools don’t need to scale AI use. They need to scale the ability to make good decisions about AI. When educators lead with learning goals instead of technology, AI can become a tool for creating more meaningful experiences for students.

Resources

• Advanced Learning Partnerships
• Multiple Choice, a documentary about rethinking student learning in Winchester, Virginia, from What School Could Be (mentioned in the episode).

You can find this episode on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music or wherever you listen to your podcasts.