Uploaded November 2023 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
Challenges & Goals
We discussed several challenges including overcoming fears about AI, navigating rapid technological changes, addressing ethical implications of AI in education, information overload, and teacher burnout. Our goals revolve around helping educators navigate these issues and preparing them for a future where AI plays a significant role in education.
Surprising Takeaways
Despite thework with AI, Priten emphasized that fundamental principles of teaching do not have to change due to new technology. We suggested that repetitive tasks could play a role in preventing burnout among teachers. Finally, we encouraged individuals not to feel overwhelmed by information overload but engage in dialogue as part of their learning journey.
Emerging Patterns
Focus on long-term solutions rather than short-term fixes when integrating AI into education
Emphasis on maintaining core educational values while adapting teaching methods to suit new technologies
Importance of accessibility and integration of AI technologies into everyday life
Active engagement in learning processes and social interactions when grappling with complex subjects like AI
Collective willingness to learn playing a significant role in understanding intricate topics
Key Moments
"We want our students to flourish in the external world and no one across the country who is a teacher will disagree about that."
"There's gonna be three buckets of changes that are going to happen because of A I…existing philosophical norms and ethics…what will society look like…the philosophy of building these systems."
"I think there's so many exciting things…there's great potential for it [AI] to increase how we interact with other folks."
"If our solution to teacher burnout right now is let's free up teacher time by allowing them to use this [AI]…then I think we're going to be in the back of the same cycle."
"I think there's like a good three-step process maybe of like reading as much as you possibly can about it… And then spend some time writing about it… And then there's the talk and teaching part."
RESOURCES
Book: AI and the Future of Education: Teaching in the Age of Artificial Intelligence amzn.to/3FJbORD
PD website: pedagog.ai
Priten Shah website: pritenshah.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/pritenhshah
Pedagogy Cloud Instagram: instagram.com/pedagogycloud
Facebook: facebook.com/pedagogycloud
Hearing Aid Reference: scrippsnews.com/stories/with-ai-future-of-hearing-aids-might-include-language-translation
Challenges & Goals
We discussed several challenges including overcoming fears about AI, navigating rapid technological changes, addressing ethical implications of AI in education, information overload, and teacher burnout. Our goals revolve around helping educators navigate these issues and preparing them for a future where AI plays a significant role in education.
Surprising Takeaways
Despite thework with AI, Priten emphasized that fundamental principles of teaching do not have to change due to new technology. We suggested that repetitive tasks could play a role in preventing burnout among teachers. Finally, we encouraged individuals not to feel overwhelmed by information overload but engage in dialogue as part of their learning journey.
Emerging Patterns
Focus on long-term solutions rather than short-term fixes when integrating AI into education
Emphasis on maintaining core educational values while adapting teaching methods to suit new technologies
Importance of accessibility and integration of AI technologies into everyday life
Active engagement in learning processes and social interactions when grappling with complex subjects like AI
Collective willingness to learn playing a significant role in understanding intricate topics
Key Moments
"We want our students to flourish in the external world and no one across the country who is a teacher will disagree about that."
"There's gonna be three buckets of changes that are going to happen because of A I…existing philosophical norms and ethics…what will society look like…the philosophy of building these systems."
"I think there's so many exciting things…there's great potential for it [AI] to increase how we interact with other folks."
"If our solution to teacher burnout right now is let's free up teacher time by allowing them to use this [AI]…then I think we're going to be in the back of the same cycle."
"I think there's like a good three-step process maybe of like reading as much as you possibly can about it… And then spend some time writing about it… And then there's the talk and teaching part."
RESOURCES
Book: AI and the Future of Education: Teaching in the Age of Artificial Intelligence amzn.to/3FJbORD
PD website: pedagog.ai
Priten Shah website: pritenshah.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/pritenhshah
Pedagogy Cloud Instagram: instagram.com/pedagogycloud
Facebook: facebook.com/pedagogycloud
Hearing Aid Reference: scrippsnews.com/stories/with-ai-future-of-hearing-aids-might-include-language-translation


![216: Designing Trustworthy AI in K‑12: NASA, Ethics, and Teacher Voice with David Lockett
In this episode I speak with David Lockett who provides practical, hope filled conversation on bringing AI and STEM to every learner, ethically, hands‑on, and with teacher voice at the center. David is a former K‑12 teacher turned university leader, grant writer, and workforce development specialist to unpack what trustworthy, accessible AI education really looks like. David shares his journey from the classroom to national initiatives with NASA, NSF, and DoD, and announces a new role designing K‑12 workforce pathways. You’ll hear concrete ideas for starting AI in your classroom (reverse engineering, cross‑curricular buy‑in), how to bring hands‑on robotics, geospatial data, and art together, and why broadening participation must be baked into every project. We dig into ethics and trustworthiness, wearable data privacy, and the practical steps teachers can take to advocate at local, state, and national levels (yes, even White House listening sessions!). Plus, David’s favorite “full‑circle” moment o fmiddle schoolers learning Python and how that foundation now powers his PhD data science work. If you’ve wondered how to move beyond “AI for AI’s sake” toward meaningful, inclusive learning, this conversation is your roadmap.
Access the Show
All platforms & past episodes: https://coffeeforthebrain.com/podcasts/
Direct Link to This Episode: https://coffeechug.simplecast.com/episodes/216
Listen & Subscribe:
[Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify] | [YouTube] | [Simplecast]
Top Takeaways
Start where you are, start small. Reverse engineering and cross‑curricular alignment build admin buy‑in and teacher confidence.
Make it hands‑on. Robotics, geospatial data, drones, and art integrations hook curiosity and translate AI into the real world.
Bake in ethics and trustworthiness. Teach students to question data flows, wearables, and terms of service without doom and gloom.
Broaden participation intentionally. Recruit widely, guarantee tool access, and position students as peer experts to level the field.
Use your teacher voice. Join listening sessions, meet reps, ask questions, and shape AI policy and funding.
Chapters / Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome & why this conversation now
01:51 – David’s current roles + new workforce development announcement
04:00 – From classroom to national initiatives (Einstein Fellow, 3C at Duke)
05:44 – Teacher fears, mindset, and the power of perspective
08:31 – NSF AI Institutes (AVO): design, prompts, trustworthiness
10:50 – NASA partnerships & a new grant (AI + drones)
13:32 – Entry points: reverse engineering; cross‑curricular buy‑in & PD
17:20 – Secret sauce: collaboration, robotics + data + art
20:55 – Broadening participation: recruiting, access, student experts
24:08 – Teaching ethics & trust: classroom modules and what “trust” means
26:55 – Wearables, privacy, and reading the ToS
28:08 – Policy & advocacy: funding, privacy, and meeting your reps
31:57 – Getting started: PLNs (ASCD, ISTE, NSTA, NASA) and vendor curricula
35:58 – Teachers: your everyday practice is worth sharing
41:39 – Full‑circle moment: Python in MS → PhD data science today
44:38 – Where to find David + final advice
Note: Timestamps are approximate based on the raw recording.
Resources & Mentions (add links)
https://coffeeforthebrain.com/216
Connect with David:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/_davidjlockett/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjlockett
X/Twitter https://x.com/DavidJLockett/status/1843755067306086451 216: Designing Trustworthy AI in K‑12: NASA, Ethics, and Teacher Voice with David Lockett](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/nbqOUhxCvB8/mqdefault.jpg)







