Episode Title: Elevating Coaching & Instruction with AI Host: Courtney Groskin Co-Host: Sandy Heiser Guest: Tori Fitka, Community Coach of the Year (2025), SchoolAI

In this episode of C3: Connecting Coaches & Cognition, Courtney Groskin and Sandy Heiser kick off the new year with an engaging conversation about AI, coaching, and instructional impact. They are joined by Tori Fitka, former high school science teacher and current Community Coach at SchoolAI, who was recently named Community Coach of the Year for 2025.

Together, they explore how AI—when used intentionally—can enhance teaching, deepen reflection, and build educator capacity without replacing the human side of learning and coaching.

Tori Fitka is a former high school science teacher turned community coach at SchoolAI, where she supports educators nationwide in leveraging AI and blended learning to create meaningful, student-centered experiences. With a background in digital learning and instructional coaching, Tori is passionate about thoughtful design, strong relationships, and using technology to serve a clear instructional purpose—not just because it’s available.

🧠 AI as a Thought Partner, Not a Replacement Tori emphasizes that AI should support educators by freeing up time for what matters most—relationships, reflection, and responsive instruction—rather than replacing professional judgment.

🔍 Reflection & Metacognition with AI The group dives into how tools like SchoolAI’s Assistants and Spaces can help teachers and leaders engage in ongoing reflection, analyze student work and data, and prepare for deeper coaching conversations.

🤝 Coaching at Scale AI can provide “just-in-time” coaching support for educators who may not always have access to a human coach, making reflective practice more accessible and consistent.

🛠️ From Curiosity to Confidence Effective AI professional learning is:

• Hands-on and experiential

• Grounded in real classroom use cases

• Supported by ongoing coaching and leadership

• Designed with time to explore, fail, revise, and reflect

🚀 Building Capacity Without Adding to Workload Successful AI rollouts are intentional, gradual, and responsive to teacher feedback—focusing on purpose, repetition, and celebration of successes.

🔮 The Future of AI in Education Tori shares her vision for the next frontier: moving beyond productivity toward AI literacy, modification, and redefinition of learning experiences—helping students explore content, careers, and critical thinking in ways previously impossible.

⚡ One Strategy Every Coach Should Have: Help educators clearly define goals, context, and constraints so AI supports thinking rather than replaces it.

⚡ Advice for New Teachers: Don’t reinvent the wheel. Use AI as a thought partner, focus on learning and relationships, and avoid burnout.

You can connect with Tori and access free trainings through the SchoolAI Community (available once logged into SchoolAI). Be sure to explore both synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities.