The conversation around AI in K–12 classrooms has often centered on adopting pre-built tools. But a recent Education Week feature (August 2025) spotlights an empowering shift: giving teachers the reins to design the tools they use. Researchers at the Center on Reinventing Public Education (CRPE) found that—even with minimal training, teachers swiftly learned to build and adapt AI tools for their needs. Whether these tools became truly integrated into practice depended on one factor: did the AI address a specific instructional problem—or just boost efficiency for its own sake? When aligned with a clear teaching vision, AI acted as “a core accelerator”; without that vision, it was merely “a paint job” Education Week+1.

What educators are doing—and learningAt schools like Gilroy Prep charter in California, teams led by administrators like Vice Principal Daniel Whitlock embraced this hands-on approach: "It was really freeing to just play around with AI and explore use cases," he reflects Education Week. One school—Summit Tamalpais High—took a human-centered tack. Instead of replacing interaction, their AI bot encouraged collaboration, communication, stress management, and team-building Education Week. These pilots underscore a crucial insight: creative problem-solving trumps design for efficiency alone.Why it matters for educational leadersTeacher agency builds trust in AI. 

When educators help design tools, they see AI as an empowering partner, not a one-size-fits-all solution.Alignment with school goals ensures meaningful use. AI works best when it advances a defined instructional model—not when it’s tacked on.Adoption scales when tools are teacher‑driven. CRPE’s research shows educators are more likely to embed AI when they've had a role in shaping it crpe.org+14silverliningforlearning.org+14crpe.org+14.