In this episode, Dr. Nancy Frey and Vickie Echols discuss how educators can effectively utilize AI in schools rather than fearing it. They share strategies for ethical, human-centered AI use that enhances learning while addressing concerns like cheating and burnout. Their insights aim to empower teachers and leaders in the evolving educational landscape.
What if AI isn’t the threat—but our unpreparedness is? In this episode, Dr. Nancy Frey and Vickie Echols deliver the playbook every educator and leader needs right now. They explain how to move from “ban or panic” to practical, ethical, human-centered AI use. This AI use supports learning and restores connection.
Nancy Frey, co author with Sal Khan and Douglas Fisher of Teaching Students to Use AI Ethically & Responsibly, shares the wisdom on implementing (or banning) AI and how to move forward in schools.
Then, Vickie Echols, the author of Author of AI for School Leaders: 62 Ways to Lighten Your Workload and Focus on What Matters has productivity tips and ideas for teachers and administrators.
Whether you’re worried about cheating, burnout, misinformation, or the rapid pace of change, these two experts will show you how to make smart decisions that protect brains, build trust, and elevate the work only humans can do.
Infographic Generation Disclosure: A really useful feature of the Nano Banana model in Google Gemini is creating infographics. I used the transcript of this episode to highlight key points for an infographic in Gemini. Then, I opened a new chat and asked it to make an infographic of this content. Keep in mind, you can’t do everything in one chat—you need to start a new one. I plan to include this as a helpful feature of episodes.
Critical AI: Protecting Brains and Boosting Productivity
Nancy Frey, PhD
Nancy Frey is a Professor in Educational Leadership at San Diego State and a teacher leader at Health Sciences High and Middle College. She is a credentialed special educator, reading specialist, and administrator in California. She is a member of the International Literacy Association’s Literacy Research Panel. Her published titles include How Teams Work, Kids Come in All Languages, The Social-Emotional Learning Playbook, and How Feedback Works. She can be reached at nfrey@sdsu.edu.
Blog: https://www.fisherandfrey.com/
Vickie Echols, M. Ed.
Vickie Echols is an educator, author, and transformation coach with over 30 years of experience as a principal, curriculum coordinator, university educator, and consultant. She helps school leaders focus on what matters most—students, teamwork, and well-being—while navigating today’s fast-paced educational landscape.
Author of AI for School Leaders: 62 Ways to Lighten Your Workload and Focus on What Matters (ISTE, 2024), Vickie blends expertise in leadership, technology, mental health, and school culture to provide actionable, encouraging ideas that inspire lasting change.
When she’s not writing or coaching, she enjoys traveling with her husband, exploring nature, and spending time with family and friends in the Dallas area. Blog: https://www.vickieechols.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562263274833 Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vickie-echols YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNtG2Ae2BxBV5cTXel9AAjg
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