AI Foundations for Educators: A Practical Guide to Leading in the AI Era

Artificial intelligence is advancing faster than most people can keep up-and that includes many of the individuals entrusted with preparing the next generation. AI Foundations for Educators delivers the essential, no-nonsense guide to help you close that gap and lead with confidence.

With a warm, practical, hands-on approach, ed-tech leader Kari Brooks offers a clear and empowering starting point. She breaks down what AI tools like ChatGPT can (and can't) do, shows how to use them meaningfully across diverse learning environments, and shares simple strategies for weaving AI into your teaching while keeping curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and human judgment at the center.

Inside, you'll find:

- A non-technical, educator-friendly introduction to AI fundamentals
- Creative strategies for using AI to save time and personalize learning
- Simple prompt engineering for curriculum planning and design
- Practical guidance for navigating academic integrity and transparency
- A free, downloadable companion guide packed with ready-to-use prompts, activities, and templates

You don't have to be a tech expert to teach with AI-you just need the right framework. Whether you're just getting started or looking to sharpen your approach, this book equips you to teach with purpose, adapt with confidence, and prepare students to thrive in a world where human insight and machine intelligence must work together.

A must-have for K-12 teachers, administrators, counselors, librarians, tech coaches, club advisors, curriculum designers, homeschool parents, teaching assistants, pre-service teachers-anyone helping shape the future of learning.