In this episode of explAInED, we sit down with Dr. Sara Baker, AI strategist, education advisor, and founder of VBI Education, for a thoughtful conversation about how schools can move from confusion to clarity when it comes to AI. Drawing on her decades of experience in education and edtech, Dr. Baker shares how her personal and professional journey, including launching teen AI camps and frameworks for educators, led her to develop a calm, strategic approach to AI integration.

Dr. Baker emphasizes the need for systems-level thinking, helping educators understand what AI is actually good for, how to assess tools critically, and how to put them to work in meaningful, iterative ways. She introduces her MAP and EERE frameworks as approachable entry points for educators at any level of tech comfort, grounded in the idea that AI can support, not replace, good teaching. Throughout the conversation, she challenges the logic of banning AI in schools, arguing that such decisions not only create inequities for students but also delay the deeper work of preparing them for a future shaped by these tools.

Together, the hosts and Dr. Baker discuss the danger of reactive decision-making and the overwhelm of "one more tech thing," advocating instead for thoughtful policies, support structures, and change management strategies that center teacher and student agency. As districts prepare for a new school year, this episode offers a timely reminder for schools approaching AI integration: It doesn't need to be perfect, but it does need to be intentional and educators deserve better than to face it alone.