In this episode of Make It Mindful, host Seth Fleischauer sits down with Aaron Baughman, AI Strategist at Michigan Virtual, to discuss how artificial intelligence can help repair what’s broken in K–12 education—if implemented thoughtfully.
Aaron makes a compelling case for equity-centered AI, emphasizing that real progress depends on using technology to support—not replace—teachers and to personalize learning for every student. The conversation explores how educators can turn data into action, prevent cognitive bypass, and design policies that enable innovation while protecting student privacy.
Listeners will hear practical insights from real classrooms and learn how AI can create dynamic, student-paced learning environments, strengthen teacher capacity, and foster a new kind of digital citizenship.
For educators, administrators, and policymakers eager to understand how to “do AI right” in schools, this episode offers both inspiration and actionable ideas for creating safe, effective, and human-centered innovation.
For more than 27 years, Michigan Virtual has partnered with K–12 school districts across Michigan to expand learning opportunities for students and educators alike. Through our high-quality online courses, taught by Michigan-certified, highly qualified teachers, we empower students to learn anytime, anywhere. We also provide affordable, impactful professional development to help educators grow in their craft. Most recently, Michigan Virtual has been at the forefront of innovation and artificial intelligence in education, offering consultation services and professional learning to guide schools in thoughtfully integrating new technologies and learning pathways.
For decades, education systems have relied on familiar benchmarks but struggle to capture what young people actually need to navigate a rapidly changing world. This gap between what we measure and what truly matters has led many districts to a powerful organizing idea: the Portrait of a Graduate.
In a two-phase pilot across Michigan schools, educators used Khanmigo, an AI-powered tutor and teaching assistant, to explore how AI might support teaching and learning. Their reflections surfaced both opportunities and challenges. The big takeaway? AI has potential, but only with intentional support.