Math teacher Ana Sepúlveda had a challenge: how to make geometry resonate with her sixth-grade honours class. Knowing her students’ passion for soccer, she turned to ChatGPT for inspiration. The result? Within seconds, the chatbot produced a detailed five-page lesson plan, complete with the catchy theme “Geometry is everywhere in soccer on the field, in the ball, and even in the design of stadiums!”
ChatGPT’s plan explored shapes and angles on a soccer field and included conversation starters like “Why are these shapes important to the game?” It also suggested hands-on projects, encouraging students to design their own stadiums using rulers and protractors.
“Using AI has been a game changer for me,” said Sepúlveda, who teaches at a dual-language school in Dallas. She relies on ChatGPT not just for lesson ideas but also to translate material into Spanish, improving communication with students’ families and engaging both English- and Spanish-speaking learners.
Saving Time, Sparking Ideas
Sepúlveda’s experience reflects a broader shift in American classrooms, where teachers are increasingly embracing artificial intelligence tools to lighten their workloads and enhance creativity.
Across the country, educators are tapping into AI-powered chatbots like ChatGPT to write quizzes and worksheets, craft lesson plans, assist with grading, and handle paperwork. By automating repetitive tasks, teachers say they have more time to focus on their students, build connections, and adapt instruction to individual needs.
For many, the change is transformative. AI tools are helping educators spend less time at their desks and more time where they’re needed most: interacting with students.
Engaging Students Like Never Before
The biggest winners in this AI-fueled evolution might just be the students themselves. By making lessons more relevant and interactive, teachers say AI is helping them capture attention and spark curiosity.
In Sepúlveda’s case, weaving soccer into geometry lessons not only made the subject more relatable but also deepened students’ understanding by linking abstract concepts to something they love. “It’s helping me increase student engagement,” she explained.
This kind of customised, interest-driven teaching has long been a goal for educators, but time constraints often stood in the way. Now, AI is helping bridge that gap by quickly generating tailored content aligned with students’ passions.
More Than Lesson Plans
The benefits of AI extend far beyond lesson planning. Teachers are also using chatbots to streamline administrative tasks like writing emails, translating notices for non-English-speaking families, and preparing feedback for student assignments.
In districts with growing populations of multilingual learners, tools like ChatGPT offer a lifeline, allowing teachers to communicate effectively across language barriers and ensure all families feel included in the school community.
AI’s capacity to assist with grading and paperwork means teachers can spend less time buried in administrative duties and more time delivering engaging, personalised instruction, a shift many say is essential for modern education.
Embracing the Technology and Its Limits
While enthusiasm is high, educators acknowledge that AI is no magic bullet. Some teachers worry about overreliance on tools like ChatGPT, cautioning that students still need authentic, human connections and guidance that no machine can replace.
Others raise concerns about the accuracy of AI-generated materials and the need for teachers to vet content carefully. But for many, these challenges are manageable trade-offs compared to the significant benefits in time savings and creativity.
A Changing Profession
The rise of AI in classrooms signals a fundamental change in the teaching profession. By handling routine tasks and offering innovative instructional ideas, tools like ChatGPT are freeing teachers to focus on what they do best: building relationships, nurturing curiosity, and supporting every student’s unique learning journey.
“AI is not here to replace us,” Sepúlveda said. “It’s here to make us better teachers.”
As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, its role in education is poised to grow, offering educators powerful new ways to inspire students and transform learning for the better.
