When Shortcuts Collide: Rethinking Teacher and Student AI Use

Lately I keep hearing the same two sentences from educators:

“Students just want AI to do the hard work for them!”
and in the very next breath…
“Is there a way AI can grade these papers for me?”

Hold up. What?

We can’t demand that students embrace deep thinking while we hunt for shortcuts for ourselves. That’s not leadership. That’s a double standard.

If we expect students to engage with learning—not outsource it—we have to model the same behavior. AI is a tool, not a substitute for our professional judgment or our intellectual effort. Yes, it can streamline workflows, save time, and sharpen our practice. But it should amplify our thinking, not replace it.

Teaching has always thrived on integrity, consistency, and owning the hard parts. That hasn’t changed. What has changed is the set of tools available to us.

So let’s use AI the way we want students to:
- to deepen understanding
- to expand possibilities
- to focus our energy on work that truly matters

Because if we’re frustrated that students want shortcuts…while we’re chasing shortcuts…

OR

maybe the entire system needs a retooling.

We can’t ask students to rise to expectations we aren’t willing to meet ourselves.

Let’s lead from the front. Let’s think hard. And let’s use AI to elevate—not escape—our craft.