In this podcast episode, primary educator and entrepreneur Emily Garcia discusses the science of reading and the role of teachers versus AI in teaching children to read. While there is systemic and explicit phonics-based instruction that is necessary for effective reading instruction, there are also many factors that prevent AI from being able to fully replace teachers. Teachers provide multiple inputs and value in partner reading and are necessary for building a classroom community and managing the classroom. However, when applicable, teachers should use AI as a tool to enhance their teaching methods. The decision of when to use AI should be made during PLCs and based on what is working for the students.This episode is brought to you by AILeader.info, where you can learn all about AI specifically in a place designed for educators through 3-minute masterclasses. 
Science of reading
Systemic and explicit phonics-based instruction.
Just too many factors that prevent
It is so highly technical
AI cannot detect CVC and other
Do we still need the teachers?
Multiple input from having a teacher there.
Value in partner reading
Human standpoint: How do we attack this word?
The scope and sequence are over 100 pages.
AI cannot comprehend yet all that has to be done.
Illustrations, clip art, and more.
Teachers are amazing, and we’ll never be able to replace teachers with AI or a bot.
instant gratification vs. instant feedback.
Incredibly difficult to teach phonics.
Teachers have to be there for the class to run smoothly.
With no teacher, there’s no community.
Classroom management vs. classroom community.
You don’t have to be as great at teaching methods if you are great at building community.
When applicable, teachers should absolutely be using AI.
Teachers have to decide when it is appropriate.
This feels a lot like technology in the 90s and 2000s.
How to determine when AI should be used or not used? During PLCs, it’s about the conversation and how people are using AI and what is working.
About Emily GarciaEmily Garcia is a primary educator, a passionate advocate for quality education, and a visionary entrepreneur. With her unwavering commitment to revolutionalize the educational landscape, Emily has made a significant impact by founding Education to the Core, an organization that has served over 500,000 classrooms worldwide.
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