LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — OpenAI Academy and Legacy Traditional Schools held a hands-on artificial intelligence training for Southern Nevada educators.
The event aimed to show teachers how to use tools many students already use daily, including ChatGPT and Codex. Organizers said the tools can also help teachers save time on everyday tasks.
Teachers said they welcome the extra help as long as they remain in control of how AI is used, particularly if it gives them back one-on-one time with students.
Teachers weigh in on AI’s role
Madison Bailey, a first-grade teacher at Legacy Traditional Schools, has been an educator for three years. She currently does not use AI in her classroom but said she is not opposed to the technology.
“I don’t believe that AI is the expert. I’m still the expert in my field,” Bailey said.
“I absolutely think that this training should be required for educators. I think that there’s a lot of hesitation around using AI. And I think that knowledge is power,” Bailey said.
Bailey said educators should use AI as a tool, with teachers remaining in control.
“The vision I see for the future is using AI as a tutor. So, asking questions or asking AI to quiz them. Basically, they have an on-demand tutor that they can get different study materials with,” Bailey said.
Adrienne Avelar, an instructional coach who has been an educator since before AI was widely discussed, said there is a fine line between using the technology as a tool and letting it do the learning.
“So we want to make sure that students are still learning at the end of the day and that teachers can still do their jobs without the use of AI, I believe,” Avelar said.
National context
Nationally, New York City is moving to prohibit student-facing generative AI for public school students through eighth grade for the upcoming school year. The restrictions are part of a broader effort to establish boundaries around AI, screen time, and technology.
Experts say that this is a concern that is important to explore, along with bias, ethical, and security vulnerabilities.
“It’s not a question about whether this is going to be part of people’s daily lives — now it’s a question of how we adequately support our students and our educators so that they can use it safely, responsibly, and in productive ways,” said Tim Hughes, the Executive Director of Teach for America Nevada.
Legacy Traditional School leaders said they are embracing the growing technology and will continue to prepare their teachers for the latest AI.
“I have very creative teachers on my campus, and it helps just organize it in a way that is more compact and deliverable to whoever the audience is,” said principal Jessica Alinano.
About 225 educators attended
About 225 educators attended the “AI Skills Jam.” It was a day-long training on ways to work AI into lesson plans and grading, as well as how to use it to communicate with families without losing the human part of teaching.
The training was held at Green Valley Ranch Resort as part of a national series aimed at helping K-12 educators build practical AI skills.
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