How Teachers Really Feel About AI Fear, Efficiency, and the Need for Critical PD

Happy National Custodial Workers Recognition Day! Today, as we continue exploring the Grundmeyer Leader Services Fitting Five newsletter, we tackle a deeply relevant piece from Education Week by Lorraine Larengo titled, "Here's How Teachers really feel about the rise of AI in K-12 education."Following our recent discussion on the "lightbulb moment" of LLMs, this article provides an on-the-ground perspective, highlighting the genuine and often conflicting emotions teachers have about this rapidly evolving technology.  The survey reveals teachers are deeply divided: some see AI as a time-saving tool for administrative tasks and lesson creation, while others worry it undermines critical thinking and creativity in students. This is a very real conflict leaders must address.A critical piece of feedback is that many teachers feel the professional development they receive on AI is uncritical and resembles product marketing. Leaders must move beyond showcasing potential to provide training for a deeper, more critical understanding of the technology.  Finally, the article makes the crucial point that teachers turning to AI for curriculum creation is a band-aid for systemic issues of being overworked and under-resourced. The real solution requires addressing these core problems in the teaching profession.  Your role as a leader is to facilitate an open, empathetic dialogue, acknowledging fears while building a bridge of trust that allows for innovation without compromising the core values of our profession.

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