05/21/2026
ISDs, this is not a criticism. It is a respectful wake-up call.
I know teachers, CTE advisors, administrators, and school leaders are already stretched. I also know many districts are trying to figure out what responsible AI use should look like in the classroom. But we cannot stop at “students should not use AI to cheat.” That is only one part of the conversation.
If we care about workforce readiness, career pathways, CTE, and preparing students for the real world, then students need to learn how to use AI ethically, responsibly, and practically.
Not just students going into STEM. Not just students interested in coding, engineering, robotics, or computer science. All students need some level of practical AI literacy because AI is already showing up in business, healthcare, marketing, customer service, administration, operations, sales, entrepreneurship, and almost every nontechnical career path you can name.
They need to know how to ask better questions, check outputs, research responsibly, protect sensitive information, think critically, and use AI as a tool that supports their judgment instead of replacing it.
And teachers and staff need support too. Giving access to ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, or another AI tool is not the same as training people to use it well. If districts are putting AI licenses in the budget, they also need to be putting practical AI training, strategy, and support in the budget.
This is especially important for rural districts and smaller communities. Students in those communities deserve to be just as prepared as students anywhere else.
My encouragement to ISDs as you prepare for the next school year: do not wait until AI feels fully figured out. It will keep changing. Start with responsible use. Start with practical training. Start with CTE. Start with helping teachers understand how AI connects to the real work students are preparing to do.
Students do not need fear-based messaging around AI. They need guidance, guardrails, examples, and adults who are willing to help them learn how to use it well.
If your ISD, CTE program, school, or education partner is thinking through what practical AI readiness should look like, I’m glad to be a resource.
You can connect with me here or schedule a conversation at bit.ly/terimoten.
