Why I Believe AI can Lighten the Load and Lift Well-Being for Educators
If you are a school leader, I know exactly what your day looks like. It’s a blur of operational logistics, emotional support for your staff, and endless compliance paperwork. By the time you get a moment to breathe, the day is over, and the "instructional leadership" you promised yourself you’d focus on has been pushed to tomorrow. Again.
I wrote the book, AI for School Leaders: 62 Ways to Lighten Your Workload, because I saw too many brilliant leaders running on empty. I wanted to shift the narrative from "AI is scary" to "AI is the digital assistant you’ve always needed but couldn't afford."
I recently had the privilege of sitting down with Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth, on BAM Radio Network at
Learning Unleashed: ISTE Radio to dive deep into this topic. We moved past the hype and got straight to the practicals: how can this technology actually give you your life back?
You can listen to our full conversation here:
AI for School Leaders: 62 Ways to Lighten Your Workload
The Art of the Prompt
We spent a good portion of the episode discussing "prompt engineering," which sounds technical but is really just clear communication. I shared how you can treat AI like a new intern. You wouldn't just say "write an email" to an intern; you would give them context, tone, and an audience.
For example, instead of staring at a blank screen trying to write a difficult email to a parent, I explain how you can tell the AI: "I need to send a firm but empathetic email about attendance. Here are the facts. Please help me strike a tone that builds partnership rather than defensiveness."
The Human in the Loop
I also made sure to emphasize the Golden Rule of AI in education: The Human in the Loop. AI is a generator, not a finalizer. It can give you a head start, but it requires your expertise, your ethics, and your review before anything goes out. It’s about efficiency, not abdication of responsibility.
Reclaiming Your Time
My goal with the book and this conversation is to give you permission to pause. The "62 ways" aren't just tips; they are lifelines. Whether it's creating personalized professional development plans in seconds or generating creative ideas for staff appreciation, these tools are here to serve you.
I hope you’ll tune in to the episode. If you’ve been feeling the weight of the role lately, let this be your reminder: help is available, and it’s easier to use than you think.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts
I wrote the book, AI for School Leaders: 62 Ways to Lighten Your Workload, because I saw too many brilliant leaders running on empty. I wanted to shift the narrative from "AI is scary" to "AI is the digital assistant you’ve always needed but couldn't afford."
I recently had the privilege of sitting down with Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth, on BAM Radio Network at
Learning Unleashed: ISTE Radio to dive deep into this topic. We moved past the hype and got straight to the practicals: how can this technology actually give you your life back?
You can listen to our full conversation here:
AI for School Leaders: 62 Ways to Lighten Your Workload
or here: on BRN -BAM! Radio Network
In this episode, I break down why I believe burnout is optional if we have the right tools. Here is a glimpse of what I shared:
In this episode, I break down why I believe burnout is optional if we have the right tools. Here is a glimpse of what I shared:
It’s Not Cheating; It’s Coping
One of the biggest hurdles I see is the guilt. Leaders feel like using ChatGPT to draft a newsletter or analyze survey data is "cheating." I challenge that mindset in the podcast. When you use AI to handle the mundane tasks—the scheduling, the drafting, the data crunching—you aren't being lazy. You are buying back your cognitive load. You are saving your energy for the things AI can't do: building relationships, mentoring teachers, and being present in the hallways.
One of the biggest hurdles I see is the guilt. Leaders feel like using ChatGPT to draft a newsletter or analyze survey data is "cheating." I challenge that mindset in the podcast. When you use AI to handle the mundane tasks—the scheduling, the drafting, the data crunching—you aren't being lazy. You are buying back your cognitive load. You are saving your energy for the things AI can't do: building relationships, mentoring teachers, and being present in the hallways.
The Art of the Prompt
We spent a good portion of the episode discussing "prompt engineering," which sounds technical but is really just clear communication. I shared how you can treat AI like a new intern. You wouldn't just say "write an email" to an intern; you would give them context, tone, and an audience.
For example, instead of staring at a blank screen trying to write a difficult email to a parent, I explain how you can tell the AI: "I need to send a firm but empathetic email about attendance. Here are the facts. Please help me strike a tone that builds partnership rather than defensiveness."
The Human in the Loop
I also made sure to emphasize the Golden Rule of AI in education: The Human in the Loop. AI is a generator, not a finalizer. It can give you a head start, but it requires your expertise, your ethics, and your review before anything goes out. It’s about efficiency, not abdication of responsibility.
Reclaiming Your Time
My goal with the book and this conversation is to give you permission to pause. The "62 ways" aren't just tips; they are lifelines. Whether it's creating personalized professional development plans in seconds or generating creative ideas for staff appreciation, these tools are here to serve you.
I hope you’ll tune in to the episode. If you’ve been feeling the weight of the role lately, let this be your reminder: help is available, and it’s easier to use than you think.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts
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