Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 6 days ago
When high school teacher Aaron Makelky first heard about ChatGPT from one of his students, he never imagined it would change his entire approach to teaching.
In this episode of WYOMING CHRONICLE, host Steve Peck sits down with Makelky to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping education, why teachers shouldn’t fear it, and how schools can prepare students for a future that’s already here.
From classroom experiments using ChatGPT in real time to his presentation at Wyoming TeacherCon25, Makelky explains why educators need to “be the teacher AI can’t replace”—and how embracing these tools can make learning more relevant, creative, and human.
Discover:
• How teachers can responsibly integrate AI in the classroom
• The real difference between ChatGPT and Wikipedia
• Why banning AI might be the biggest mistake schools make
• How AI is reshaping what it means to learn and teach
🕓 Timestamps
0:00 – Introduction: Wyoming Chronicle with Steve Peck
0:31 – Meet Aaron Makelky, High School History Teacher
1:14 – “Be the Teacher AI Can’t Replace” – Introducing AI at TeacherCon25
2:25 – Comparing AI Policies to Fire Safety Training
3:15 – Understanding Everyday AI: Netflix, Maps, and Music Apps
4:06 – What Does “GPT” Mean?
5:47 – ChatGPT vs. Wikipedia: Static vs. Generative Information
6:57 – How a Student Introduced Aaron to ChatGPT
8:18 – AI in Education: Fear or Opportunity?
9:54 – Teaching Students to Use AI as a Tool, Not a Crutch
13:24 – The Crossbow Analogy: Why New Tools Shouldn’t Be Feared
15:23 – Why Teachers Should Step Up, Not Step Back
17:13 – Learning to Use AI Like Any Other Skill
18:56 – The Future of Education: Preparing Students for Unknown Jobs
20:44 – You Don’t Need to Be a Computer Scientist to Use AI
21:24 – Pushback from Educators and the Myth of the “AI-Proof Classroom”
23:16 – What True Learning Looks Like in the Age of AI
25:05 – Why History Teachers Might Be Best Equipped for the AI Future
26:01 – Final Reflections: The Human Value in Education
#Education #AI #ChatGPT #Teaching #WyomingPBS #ArtificialIntelligence #WyomingChronicle #EdTech #FutureOfLearning #Teachers
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With Wyoming PBS content you can delve into Wyoming history, explore the breathtaking beauty of our iconic national parks, and immerse yourself in the inspiring tales of Native American leaders, ranching life, the wonders of nature, and the many things to do in Wyoming. Whether you're seeking inspiring narratives or planning your next adventure in our beautiful state, WY PBS is your trusted guide.
Subscribe to our channel: youtube.com/wyomingpbs
Subscribe to our email newsletter: wyomingpbs.org/newsletter-signup-form
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/WyomingPBS
Follow us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/wyoming-pbs
When high school teacher Aaron Makelky first heard about ChatGPT from one of his students, he never imagined it would change his entire approach to teaching.
In this episode of WYOMING CHRONICLE, host Steve Peck sits down with Makelky to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping education, why teachers shouldn’t fear it, and how schools can prepare students for a future that’s already here.
From classroom experiments using ChatGPT in real time to his presentation at Wyoming TeacherCon25, Makelky explains why educators need to “be the teacher AI can’t replace”—and how embracing these tools can make learning more relevant, creative, and human.
Discover:
• How teachers can responsibly integrate AI in the classroom
• The real difference between ChatGPT and Wikipedia
• Why banning AI might be the biggest mistake schools make
• How AI is reshaping what it means to learn and teach
🕓 Timestamps
0:00 – Introduction: Wyoming Chronicle with Steve Peck
0:31 – Meet Aaron Makelky, High School History Teacher
1:14 – “Be the Teacher AI Can’t Replace” – Introducing AI at TeacherCon25
2:25 – Comparing AI Policies to Fire Safety Training
3:15 – Understanding Everyday AI: Netflix, Maps, and Music Apps
4:06 – What Does “GPT” Mean?
5:47 – ChatGPT vs. Wikipedia: Static vs. Generative Information
6:57 – How a Student Introduced Aaron to ChatGPT
8:18 – AI in Education: Fear or Opportunity?
9:54 – Teaching Students to Use AI as a Tool, Not a Crutch
13:24 – The Crossbow Analogy: Why New Tools Shouldn’t Be Feared
15:23 – Why Teachers Should Step Up, Not Step Back
17:13 – Learning to Use AI Like Any Other Skill
18:56 – The Future of Education: Preparing Students for Unknown Jobs
20:44 – You Don’t Need to Be a Computer Scientist to Use AI
21:24 – Pushback from Educators and the Myth of the “AI-Proof Classroom”
23:16 – What True Learning Looks Like in the Age of AI
25:05 – Why History Teachers Might Be Best Equipped for the AI Future
26:01 – Final Reflections: The Human Value in Education
#Education #AI #ChatGPT #Teaching #WyomingPBS #ArtificialIntelligence #WyomingChronicle #EdTech #FutureOfLearning #Teachers
---
With Wyoming PBS content you can delve into Wyoming history, explore the breathtaking beauty of our iconic national parks, and immerse yourself in the inspiring tales of Native American leaders, ranching life, the wonders of nature, and the many things to do in Wyoming. Whether you're seeking inspiring narratives or planning your next adventure in our beautiful state, WY PBS is your trusted guide.
Subscribe to our channel: youtube.com/wyomingpbs
Subscribe to our email newsletter: wyomingpbs.org/newsletter-signup-form
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/WyomingPBS
Follow us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/wyoming-pbs
