Episode Notes

In this episode, host David Blumenthal sits down with Jenn Sharek, a kindergarten teacher in the Blackhawk School District just north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Together, they discuss the realities of early childhood education, bridging intergenerational literacy gaps with parents, and how educators can safely and thoughtfully integrate artificial intelligence to reduce cognitive load and prevent burnout. Jenn shares her journey in education, her passion for evidence-based reading instruction, and how AI tools can serve as a "positive secretary" and creative assistant—allowing teachers to reclaim time for sleep, self-care, and meaningful human connection in the classroom.

Key Highlights:

• The Journey into Teaching: Jenn reflects on returning to teach in the school district from which she graduated alongside the educators who inspired her, and how Pennsylvania's dyslexia pilot program ignited her lifelong commitment to research-based instructional practices.
• Overcoming Intergenerational Literacy Gaps: Jenn addresses the challenge of supporting parents from the balanced literacy era who are now helping their children navigate research-based phonics instruction, emphasizing the need for clear, accessible, and succinct communication between home and school.
• Managing Cognitive Load and Burnout: The discussion delves into the intense cognitive demands placed on primary grade teachers—navigating constant micro-emergencies and competing with short digital attention spans—and why teacher well-being and rest are critical for student success.
• Practical AI for the Classroom: Jenn shares creative, low-stakes ways she leverages AI in her workflow—such as illustrating 135 reading passages in 20 minutes, generating targeted word lists, and drafting classroom behavior lessons and mascot songs.
• Safety, Guardrails, and Ethics: As a member of her district's AI safety subcommittee, Jenn emphasizes the vital importance of protecting student privacy, adhering to age regulations, and establishing clear boundaries around AI usage in schools.

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About Eddie Chats

Eddie Chats features conversations with educators, researchers, and education leaders exploring teaching, learning, AI, research, and classroom practice.