The Role of AI in Education: Insights from Holly Clark and the Abbotsford School District

The Abbotsford School District recognizes the importance of proactively integrating Artificial Intelligence into education. We are committed to educating parents, students, and teachers on using it responsibly and ethically. 

To achieve this, the Curriculum Department has developed guidelines and put together resources to help both parents and children in the District understand and use AI responsibly. Parents are encouraged to visit and access the resources at https://www.abbyschools.ca/ai-abby-schools. 

Holly Clark is a veteran educator with nearly 30 years of experience integrating technology into the classroom. In 2018, while delivering a keynote in Beijing, she witnessed the rapid advancements in AI, which inspired her to study machine learning and its implications for education. Since then, she has authored four books on educational technology and trained over 100,000 educators on effective and ethical AI use in schools. 

While teaching in the San Francisco Bay Area, she was among the first in the U.S. to implement a one-to-one device program in the late 1990s. This pioneering effort connected students with technology long before digital learning became mainstream. She remembers that the sponsor for the project asked her to "Show the world what technology can do for education." 

At the annual Abbotsford School District Shared Learning Conference on February 14, 2025, Holly Clark posed an essential question to hundreds of our educators in attendance: Are we preparing students for retirement in 1985 or 2085? With today's kindergarten students set to graduate in 2036, they will need skills beyond traditional learning. The rapid evolution of technology means that we must instill a growth mindset in students, equipping them to adapt and thrive in a world where AI is a dominant force. 

One of the key points of Holly's presentation was how AI can create immersive learning experiences. For instance, students studying the galaxy can go beyond static textbook learning by engaging in interactive AI-driven exploration. AI enables students to ask deeper questions, seek answers instantly, and overcome learning obstacles with personalized support. 

"AI should not be seen as a tool to get quick answers, but as a thought partner that helps students refine their ideas. It's about empowering learners—whether they need help with writing, translation, or just thinking more deeply about their work,” said Clark. 

Holly emphasized that AI should not be seen as a tool for finding answers but as a thought partner that helps students refine their ideas. She highlighted how AI has supported learners with dyslexia, helped English language learners with real-time translations, and enabled gifted students to engage more deeply with their work. 

A particularly interesting moment included her reflection on AI's growing ability to mimic human connection. She recalled an experience with ChatGPT, which suggested she take a break and remembered that she had lost her dog. The event raised profound questions about AI's evolving role in emotional intelligence and human interaction. 

Holly praised the Abbotsford School District for its efforts to be at the forefront of technological training in education. "Thank you, Abbotsford School District for leading the way in Canada (and the world) with thoughtful and strategic AI innovation in education. The leadership at this school has done the deep work—ensuring that AI is implemented with intention, keeping students safe, empowering teachers with the right support, and fostering a culture of excitement around AI's possibilities in the classroom. It’s inspiring to see a district that isn’t just adopting AI but truly shaping its role in education for the better." 

As AI continues to evolve, Abbotsford School District is committed to ensuring that students are not just consumers of AI but also active participants in shaping its future. The goal is to equip students with the tools they need to thrive in a world where AI is integral to everyday life while never losing sight of the importance of human connection in education.