Unveiling Everyday Innovators: How AI is Shaping Education in the Classroom
By: Saja Elshareif
Suzan Atallah: Empowering Students Through AI-Powered Learning
Artificial intelligence (AI) is making waves in education, opening up new possibilities and transforming how students learn and teachers teach. The power of AI offers unparalleled opportunities to enhance student potential, provide personalized learning experiences, and ensure that every classroom resource is working toward student success. While the integration of AI brings new challenges to navigate, the positive impact it is having on education today is undeniable, and the future holds unlimited potential for growth and innovation.
In this second installment of Unveiling Everyday Innovators, I had the privilege of speaking with Suzan Atallah, a high school teacher from a suburb of Chicago, who is using AI to empower her students and enrich their learning experiences. Suzan’s story offers a shining example of how AI can work alongside teachers to elevate education and make learning more accessible and engaging for all students.
AI's Past, Present, and Future in Education
AI has been making steady strides in education for years, starting with simple tools designed to assist learning, such as intelligent tutoring systems. These early innovations paved the way for AI's current capabilities, allowing for greater personalization, real-time feedback, and more dynamic learning environments.
Today, AI is not just a tool for teachers—it's a partner. AI-driven platforms are now capable of analyzing a student’s performance, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and tailoring content to meet each student’s individual learning needs. This shift toward personalized education has already begun to transform classrooms, making learning more efficient, interactive, and fun.
Looking to the future, the possibilities are boundless. As AI tools evolve, they will continue to unlock new ways to engage students, automate administrative tasks, and provide customized learning paths. The U.S. Department of Education’s 2023 report, Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Teaching and Learning, highlights the importance of using AI to complement teachers’ expertise and focus on educational goals that truly support student development. The future of AI in education promises even more tailored experiences, ensuring that each student can thrive at their own pace and according to their unique learning style.
Empowering Students Through AI
Suzan’s classroom is a perfect example of how AI can transform education for the better. She instructs a diverse group of students across multiple classrooms, ranging from English learners to advanced college prep students. Through AI-powered learning tools, Suzan provides personalized support that helps each student reach their full potential.
AI-driven platforms allow her to offer individualized instruction, whether it's by adapting lessons for students struggling with grammar or providing more advanced exercises for students looking to challenge themselves. AI can even track each student’s progress and recommend targeted activities to help them improve in specific areas, creating an environment where every student can learn in ways that work best for them.
For Suzan’s students, this personalized approach makes all the difference. The ability to receive instant feedback on writing assignments through AI tools, or even engage with AI-driven discussion prompts, allows students to actively refine their skills and become more confident learners. Students no longer have to wait for feedback—they can improve in real time, building their self-esteem and motivation as they go.
AI’s ability to provide such immediate, individualized feedback empowers students to take ownership of their learning. They are no longer passive recipients of information; they are active participants in a dynamic learning environment where their success is truly personalized. Suzan believes this leads to greater engagement, motivation, and academic success.
AI as a Tool for Support, Not a Replacement
While AI is a powerful tool in Suzan’s classroom, she is careful to emphasize that it is not a replacement for the teacher. The U.S. Department of Education’s report also stresses the importance of keeping "humans in the loop," ensuring that AI supports rather than replaces the critical role of educators. Suzan wholeheartedly agrees with this perspective.
AI can streamline tasks like grading and lesson planning, giving teachers more time to focus on their students; but no machine can replicate the human connection, mentorship, and scaffolding that teachers provide. Suzan uses AI as an enhancement to her teaching, not as a substitute for the personality, empathy, and inspiration that a teacher brings to the classroom.
AI’s potential lies in its ability to take over repetitive tasks, allowing teachers like Suzan to foster creativity and address the emotional and social aspects of learning. This balance ensures that students benefit from the best of both worlds: the personalized power of AI and the human touch of a teacher who understands their needs and interests.
A Future of Boundless Possibilities
The future of AI in education is incredibly promising. As AI tools continue to evolve, they will become even more capable of addressing the unique needs of each student, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. Imagine a world where every student has access to a learning environment tailored specifically to them, where lessons are designed to meet each student where they are, and where teachers have the support they need to help their students thrive.
The U.S. Department of Education’s report also emphasizes the need for policies that ensure AI’s integration into education is ethical, equitable, and transparent. As AI technology continues to grow, it is important for educators, policymakers, and tech developers to collaborate in creating frameworks that ensure AI is used responsibly and effectively in the classroom. This includes addressing issues such as data privacy, bias, and fairness, as well as providing teachers with the professional development needed to make the most of AI tools.
In the future, we may see AI-enhanced classrooms where students collaborate with AI to explore new ideas, receive instant feedback on their work, and take part in immersive learning experiences. Whether through virtual classrooms, intelligent tutoring systems, or AI-driven personalized curriculums, the potential for AI to improve student outcomes is limitless.
AI’s role in education is still evolving, but it holds the key to a future where learning is personalized, inclusive, and tailored to every student’s needs. With AI enhancing the classroom experience, students are empowered to reach their full potential, and teachers are equipped with the tools they need to succeed. The possibilities are endless, and as we continue to innovate, the future of education looks brighter than ever before.
This article was crafted by Saja Elshareif, an independent contributor engaged by CheckIT Labs, Inc. to provide insights on this topic.
