AI for School Leaders: 62 Ways to Lighten Your Workload and Focus on What Matters

Let’s be honest: leading in education today can feel like a never-ending game of Whac-A-Mole. Just as one issue is addressed, three more pop up. Between emails, meetings, data reports, and community demands, it's easy to lose sight of what matters most—connecting with people and nurturing the joy of learning. That’s exactly why I’ve been leaning into the unexpected: artificial intelligence. Not in a flashy, futuristic way—but in quiet, powerful ways that actually reduce stress and help me (and other school leaders) show up more fully. In July, I’ll be sharing this work at the 2025 ASCD + ISTE conference in San Antonio. I’m offering two sessions designed not around tech for tech’s sake—but around how we use it to feel more human in our work. 🕓  Session 1: Reclaim Your Time — How AI Empowers Leaders to Focus on What Matters 📍  Tuesday, July 1 | 4:00–5:00 PM This session grew out of a very real question I hear from school leaders all the time: "How do I find time to do the thin...

 🌀 What if educator wellness wasn’t an afterthought—but a foundation for thriving schools? In our latest piece for Next Gen Learning, my colleagues Stephanie, Tara, and I reflect on the power of Leadership Wellness Circles —intentional spaces where school and district leaders come together to center healing, reflection, and sustainable support. From mindfulness moments like “Doodle Your Sparkle” to shifting from judgment to curiosity, our session reinforced one truth: when leaders prioritize their own well-being, they model what it truly means to lead with humanity. 💬 Educators deserve the same care they give so freely to others. 🌱 And when we practice collective wellness, we create ripple effects that strengthen entire school communities. 🔗 Read more: https://www.nextgenlearning.org/articles/creating-a-culture-of-wellness-using-school-and-district-leader-circles #SchoolLeadership #EducatorWellbeing #WellnessInEducation #LeadershipCircles #NextGenLearning #CollectiveCare ...

When was the last time you paused—not to lead, not to solve—but simply to breathe and reconnect with why you started this journey? 🌱  READ MORE  

 ​ I had the pleasure of joining Kathryn Kennedy in the EDU Café podcast to discuss how AI can support school leaders in reclaiming time for instructional leadership. We explored practical strategies for integrating AI to streamline administrative tasks and enhance decision-making processes.​ 🎧 Listen to the episode here: 🔗 AI for School Leaders with Vickie Echols How do you see AI impacting your role as a leader in a school or some other organization. 

  As a school leader, do you find administrative tasks consuming the time you'd prefer to spend on instructional leadership? In my recent article for ASCD's Educational Leadership, I discuss how AI can help streamline these tasks, allowing you to focus more on supporting teachers and enhancing student learning. Read the full article here: 🔗 Reclaiming Time for Instructional Leadership How are you currently integrating AI into your leadership practices? I'd love to hear your experiences and thoughts.

I enjoyed a great conversation with Justin Baeder on Principal Center Radio to talk about my book, AI for School Leaders: 62 Ways to Lighten Your Workload and Focus on What Matters.  We discussed how AI can support school leaders by reducing busywork, clarifying priorities, and creating space for what matters most—people and purpose. 🎧 Listen to the full episode here: 🔗 Principal Center Radio – AI for School Leaders with Vickie Echols How are you using AI to create more time for meaningful leadership? I’d love to hear your story!