OPINION: AI helps my students explore the topic. Human connection brings it to life

On a quiet Thursday morning in my 6th grade career and technical education classroom, Luis, one of my most curious students, raised his hand and launched into a flurry of questions:

“What’s the weather like today?”

“How long is the fair going to be in town?”

“How long do you have to go to school to become a welder?”

I answered each one, then teased, “What do you think I am, your Google?”

He laughed and replied, “Well, you’re kind of like our AI, Miss.”

The whole class chuckled, but that moment stuck with me. My students have access to artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot. Yet when they have a question that matters, they come to me. Not just for information, but for connection.

Luis’ questions weren’t just about facts. He knew I’d give him thoughtful answers, and he knew I cared. That kind of trust comes not from an app or algorithm, but from daily check-ins, shared laughs and the emotional safety a classroom should provide.

AI can support learning, but it can’t notice when a student walks in quietly after a rough night. It can’t offer a pep talk before a test or celebrate a birthday. These aren’t “extras,” they’re essential parts of what it means to teach. Human connection is the heart of education, and no machine can replace that.

Still, AI has a place in my classroom. When used responsibly, it’s a powerful tool. I use Magic School AI for lesson ideas, Diffit to personalize instruction and Education Copilot to create interactive activities. These tools save time and help me meet the diverse needs of my students. But they don’t lead the learning, I do.

Some schools are beginning to experiment with AI-first models. At the Alpha School in Austin, Texas, students spend two hours a day learning from AI tutors with minimal human interaction. While innovative, this approach raises serious concerns, especially in rural or under-resourced schools like mine, where teachers often provide stability, safety and mentorship.

Without a trusted adult in the room, what happens to the child who needs emotional support or just someone to talk to? AI may deliver content, but it cannot offer the relationships that keep students connected and learning.

In my classroom, we strike a balance. We use AI to explore careers, then invite local tradespeople to speak. We generate stats with Copilot, then discuss them in small groups. The technology introduces the topic, but human connection brings it to life.

As we integrate AI into education, we must ensure it enhances, not replaces, the role of the teacher. Professional development should go beyond how to use AI and focus on how to use it thoughtfully, to differentiate instruction, boost engagement and free teachers to do what they do best: connect with students.

Luis reminded me that I’m not just a source of answers, I’m a steady presence. A role model. A trusted adult in a sometimes-chaotic world. No AI can replicate that.

In this age of artificial intelligence, let’s never forget what makes teaching, and learning, truly human.