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By Kori Ashton
In the heart of Texas, where innovation meets grit, we’re facing a pivotal moment in education. Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn’t just a topic for computer science classes anymore—it’s a practical tool that can support every teacher, in every subject, at every level.
Here at Texans for AI, we believe it’s time to go beyond the hype and get real about what it looks like to teach with AI in a way that’s meaningful, ethical, and practical for Texas classrooms.
The Big Shift: Beyond Chatbots
This isn’t just about offering a new “AI and Chatbots 101” elective. While those courses are valuable, the bigger win comes when we weave AI into our everyday teaching practice—not as a separate subject, but as a strategic partner in lesson planning, grading, content creation, and in-class engagement.
As The Guardian recently highlighted, AI’s potential to free up teacher time is becoming more widely acknowledged. But here in Texas, the conversation goes deeper: how can AI help teachers reconnect with students, personalize learning, and drive better outcomes?
Practical Ways Texas Teachers Can Use AI in Their Workflows
1. Lesson Planning Made Simple
AI tools like ChatGPT, Eduaide.ai, and Diffit.me can generate customized lesson plans aligned with TEKS standards. Educators can create vocabulary lists, reading comprehension questions, and creative prompts tailored to their students’ learning levels—saving hours each week.
2. Automated Feedback and Assessment
Tools like Gradescope and AI-based rubrics help streamline grading, particularly for open-ended questions and essays. These tools can also offer students consistent feedback, which enhances learning while freeing up teacher capacity.
3. Inclusive and Differentiated Instruction
Texas classrooms are diverse—geographically, culturally, and linguistically. AI helps teachers reach all learners by offering content in multiple reading levels, languages, and formats. This allows every student—from Amarillo to the Rio Grande Valley—to access learning that meets them where they are.
Using AI in the Classroom: Beyond the Tool
AI should not only be a support for educators but also a lens for students to develop critical thinking. Tools like Curipod and MagicSchool AI allow students to collaborate on presentations, summarize text, or analyze data in real-time. Students can even fact-check AI-generated content, fostering deeper engagement and media literacy.
According to ScienceDirect, embedding AI across subjects helps students shift from content consumers to content creators—an essential mindset for the modern workforce.
Teaching Ethical AI in Texas Schools
Texas educators are uniquely positioned to lead the charge in responsible AI education. Beyond tool usage, it’s important to engage students in conversations around bias, data privacy, automation, and AI’s impact on jobs and democracy.
These aren’t just tech lessons—they’re civic lessons. Embedding this mindset helps our students become responsible users and creators of AI, not just passive recipients.
Supporting Texas Teachers with Professional Development
Texas Teachers need support to make this transition. Whether it’s through region-based workshops, online training, or peer-led professional learning communities, educators across Texas should have access to training on AI’s role in instruction.
Institutions like Kent State have highlighted how AI can reshape teacher prep programs—but Texas districts and universities can take the lead in localizing this support with our own values in mind. For example – see Texas State University’s latest efforts & UT Austin’s Support as well as Houston ISD.
Conclusion: It’s Time for Texans to Lead the Way
AI isn’t just a future concept—it’s a present opportunity. From lesson planning in Lubbock to literature circles in Laredo, it’s time we integrate AI into every classroom—not as a novelty, but as a tool for transformation.
At Texans for AI, we’re here to help educators across the state take bold, ethical, and innovative steps toward AI integration. Together, we can empower the next generation of Texans to thrive in a world shaped by technology.
Want more ideas and inspiration? Explore our toolkits, interviews, and updates at TexansForAI.com and stay part of the conversation shaping the future of education in Texas.
