“Instead of fearing AI, let’s redefine rigor. AI literacy is becoming fundamental. Our job isn’t shielding students, but teaching them to wield these tools responsibly.”Dr. Bradley Hayes
We're thrilled to share this insightful piece by Dr. Bradley Hayes, our incoming Director of STEM and Institutional Research at The Colorado Springs School!
Bradley explores how AI is enhancing education while reinforcing that human connection remains "the killer app" in learning. This fascinating "H-AI-H model" (Human-AI-Human) demonstrates how technology can strengthen—not replace—the vital human relationships at education's core.
We're incredibly excited to welcome Dr. Hayes' expertise to our campus this year, where his innovative approach will benefit students across all grade levels!
Teaching in the Age of AI: Why Our Kids Need Us More Than Ever
This summer, I’m swapping Florida palm trees for the Colorado Rockies, and my buzzing Computer Science classroom and Design Technology department for a new challenge: leading STEM innovation across an entire school. After years spent teaching, mentoring, and building hands-on, creative learning experiences, I’m stepping into a broader role that’s as exciting as it is uncertain. Because with every conversation — whether it was with parents, teachers, school leaders, or during job interviews — one topic kept rising to the surface: What do we do about AI in education?
The headlines shout about AI’s transformative power, but in the staffroom, the tone is more cautious — Is the human heart of teaching getting lost in the code? It’s a question that sits with me, not as an alarmist, but as someone who deeply values what makes learning meaningful: trust, connection, and the steady presence of a teacher who believes in their students.
Why We Learn Together: More Than Just Downloads
Education isn’t just information transfer; it’s deeply social, honed over eons of evolution. Like numerous other mammals, we learned in groups, guided by mentors. For as long as humans walk the earth, the need to learn under mentorship of the wise elder and alongside peers will endure. Think of learning to play a team sport, shouts from teammates, quick corrections, shared joy in improvement. That sense of collective effort and mutual growth is at the heart of how we learn — always has been and always will be.
This dynamic plays out every day in classrooms. Think back to the teacher who saw your hidden potential — the one who explained something a second time because they understood what you needed and believed in you. That kind of connection is the magic AI can’t replicate — and I don’t believe it ever will. It’s not just a bonus; it’s the foundation of real learning.
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) recognizes this. Group projects teach collaboration; role-playing builds empathy; journaling fosters self-awareness; ‘morning meetings’ build trust. As parents and teachers, we know that a student who feels seen, safe, and connected is primed to learn, risk, and persevere. This psychological safety is foundational. Connection fuels motivation, builds resilience, and makes learning a meaningful human experience, not just a transaction.
