Math teacher Ana Sepúlveda wanted to engage her 6th grade honors class by connecting geometry to their passion for soccer. She turned to ChatGPT, which quickly produced a detailed lesson plan themed “Geometry is everywhere in soccer,” complete with discussion prompts and a hands-on project designing stadiums.

Sepúlveda, teaching at a bilingual school in Dallas, also uses AI to translate materials into Spanish and streamline parent communication. “AI has been a game changer,” she says, crediting it for helping with lesson planning, grading, and boosting student engagement.

Across the U.S., AI tools are becoming a staple in classrooms. A recent Gallup and Walton Family Foundation poll found 60% of K-12 teachers used AI during the past school year, with early-career and high school teachers leading adoption. Many report saving around six hours weekly, easing burnout and allowing more focus on teaching.

However, schools are cautious, rolling out guidelines to prevent misuse and ensure AI complements rather than replaces teacher judgment. Experts emphasize AI works best for routine tasks—like multiple-choice grading—while nuanced evaluation remains a teacher’s role.

Teachers like Houston’s Mary McCarthy praise AI for improving work-life balance and encourage teaching students responsible AI use. Some educators use AI tools sparingly, integrating them only at appropriate project stages to support—not supplant—student creativity and critical thinking.

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