What happens when a centuries-old set of values meets one of the most disruptive technologies of our time? In this episode, we slow down the AI conversation with John Sharon, Assistant Head for Teaching and Learning at Carolina Friends School. With over 34 years in education, John has seen fads come and go and knows the importance of discernment.

Grounded in the Quaker testimonies of simplicity, integrity, environmental stewardship, and the belief that truth is continually revealed, John offers a deeply reflective approach to integrating AI in schools. We explore:

• Why AI in education reminds him of the early laptop push from Microsoft

• The balance between innovation and caution by keeping “one foot on the brake and one on the accelerator”

• How Quaker values prompt unique ethical questions about AI’s environmental impact and its effects on human relationships in learning communities

• Examples of how teachers and students are experimenting with AI while protecting privacy and nurturing critical thinking

Whether you’re a school leader, classroom teacher, or simply curious about AI’s role in shaping young minds, this conversation offers a fresh, values-driven perspective. John’s central reminder: AI should remain a tool for learning, not the learning itself.

If you want to explore how to bring the same balance and intentionality into your organization, visit kinwise.org/programs to learn more about our hands-on professional development for schools, nonprofits, and mission-driven businesses

• Break-the-Ice Questions – Three questions that instantly surface student misconceptions (and enthusiasm) about AI.
• Fake Fish, Real Ethics – Using deepfake trout to spark serious debate on consent, bias, and digital citizenship.
• Trailblazers 2.0 – What’s inside the 10-week fellowship (virtual sessions, $875 stipend, national recognition) and why rural teachers asked for it.

In this episode, Guide and curriculum designer Ben Gordon Sniffen pulls back the curtain on Alpha School’s two-hour learning model, where an AI tutor condenses core academics into a focused morning block and frees guides for passion-driven life-skills workshops in the afternoon.

Listen in as Ben explains:

• How 120 minutes of adaptive learning hits each child’s “productive-struggle” zone.

• The role of guides as emotional & motivational coaches, and why more AI means more adults

• Real-world workshop wins, from third-graders pitching businesses to middle-schoolers coding robot

• Teaching AI literacy: getting students to critique ChatGPT drafts instead of outsourcing thinking

• A hopeful vision for the future of work where human mentorship matters more

I hope you enjoyed hearing Ben Gordon Sniffen’s perspective on Alpha’s two-hour learning model and student-driven life-skills workshops. If you’re curious to see the model in action, or to follow Ben’s ongoing work at the intersection of AI and education, here are a few easy ways to connect:

• Alpha School Official Website – Explore the two-hour learning structure, outcomes data, and campus locations. Visit the website: alpha.school
• Connect with Ben on LinkedIn – Follow Ben’s reflections on AI-powered tutoring, curriculum design, and student coaching. Connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/benjamin-gordon-sniffen-423a91229
• 2-Hour Learning Model Overview – Watch a short explainer and see sample schedules that condense core academics into a focused morning block. Read the overview: alpha.school/2-hour-learning
• Adaptive-Learning Apps Mentioned – Khan Academy, IXL, Newsela, and EGUMPP power personalized practice across subjects. Explore the apps: khanacademy.org | ixl.com | newsela.com | egumpp.com
• AI Research Tools – Try ChatGPT or Perplexity AI for cited summaries, brainstorming, and deeper dives into any topic. Start exploring openai.com/chatgpt | perplexity.ai

For more support from our team in implementing human-centered AI strategy, go to kinwise.org to explore our pilot program and custom resources.