Danelle Brostrom on Leading AI: Privacy, Humanity, and Progress in Schools

K-12 EdTech coach Danelle Brostrom joins us to talk about bringing curiosity, guardrails, and humanity to AI in schools. We dig into what we should learn from the social-media era, how librarians are frontline partners for information literacy, the real risks inside edtech privacy policies (and how districts can negotiate them), and concrete ways AI can expand access, like instant translation, reading-level adjustments, and executive-function supports. If you’re a district leader, principal, or teacher trying to move from paralysis to practical action, this conversation is your on-ramp.

Key Takeaways

• Don’t repeat social media’s mistakes. Protect in-person connection; teach students how to spot manipulated media and deepfakes.

• Librarians = misinformation SWAT team. Pair EdTech with media specialists to teach reverse-image search, corroboration, and bias checks.

• AI is already in your stack. Inventory tools teachers use; many “non-AI” products now include AI features that touch student data.

• Equity in action. Real-time translation, leveled texts, and scaffolded task breakdowns can immediately widen access—offer to all students.

• PD that sticks. Start with low-stakes personal uses (meal plans, resumes), then ethics, then classroom workflows—build a safe space to wrestle.

• Listen first. Talk to students about how they’re using AI; invite skeptics to the table.

• Leadership mindset. Curiosity, grace, and progress over perfection.