Ms. Rodriguez Brings AI to the Classroom
- Oscar Pinto
- May 14
- 4 min read
AI is transforming education at Columbus, and Ms. Daniella Rodriguez is helping lead the change.
by Oscar Pinto
AI is something really powerful, but also unique in its own way. And when used correctly, it can contribute to learning. While many people use AI for their own purposes, one teacher at Christopher Columbus High School uses it in a way that is changing education inside the classroom.
Ms. Daniella Rodriguez, the AP Psychology teacher at Columbus, uses AI to elevate student learning by personalizing lessons to fit students' experiences and learning styles.
However, Rodriguez never originally planned on becoming a teacher.
The Beginning
Before Rodriguez began teaching, she planned to work in sports psychology. While finishing some remaining requirements for graduate school, she returned to her alma mater, St. Brendan High School, to work with athletes.
"It just so happened that the AP Psychology teacher had quit, so I was offered the role, and the rest is history," Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez earned double bachelor's degrees in sports and fitness studies and psychology, along with a master's degree in sport, exercise and performance psychology.
"I don't have a degree that helped shape my teaching career; I've been molded as the years go on," Rodriguez said.
Over the years, Rodriguez has adapted as a teacher, but one of the biggest changes came when she discovered AI.
"I'll never forget the day I first found out about ChatGPT," Rodriguez said. "I would spend so many hours outside of my contract hours making lesson plans, PowerPoints, worksheets, exams and essays, and don't get me started on grading essays...I like change and challenges, so I wanted to use ChatGPT to help make teaching more fun for me and learning more fun for the kids."
AI in the Classroom
With AI now part of her teaching style, Rodriguez said the technology has improved how she teaches. She now helps students learn by tailoring lessons to their preferred learning styles and weaknesses within a subject.
"I can individualize learning for all kinds of learners," Rodriguez said. "If you like lectures, I can do that, but I can also tailor lessons into videos for visual learners or podcasts for auditory learners."
One way Rodriguez uses AI is in AP Psychology, where students use it to better understand their test performance and improve on future exams.
"It helps the kids understand the data from their own tests and helps them get better at the next units we cover," Rodriguez said.
However, Rodriguez acknowledged that technology is not perfect and comes with challenges.
"I think the most obvious challenge is trying to teach kids how to use AI in a manner that enhances learning, not just having it do the work for you," Rodriguez said.
Despite that challenge, Rodriguez continues encouraging students to use AI responsibly and academically.
"I try to educate them on the benefits of knowing how to use AI ethically and responsibly and how that's going to help them not only in college but when they have careers in the future," Rodriguez said.
Mr. Omar Delgado, Director of Educational Technology & Learning Development at Columbus, lauded Ms. Rodriguez's contribution to technology at the school.
"She has been instrumental in contributing technologies to the classroom by reshaping how AP teachers use AI to create individual learning plans the final weeks before the AP exam. She has taught this method to all AP teachers and we hope to see an increase in scores this year," Delgado said.
Students see the value of incorporating AI in the classroom, too.
"When she implemented AI in learning psychology, it really benefited my classmates and me. She uses AI to help us review our tests and figure out the mistakes we've made on exams. I really feel like she's striving to be on the cutting edge and innovate in her class through AI and technology," said Columbus senior Carlos Blanch.
The Future of AI at Columbus
Rodriguez believes AI is becoming an essential tool in education and compares it to the introduction of calculators in schools years ago.
"Society can fight it all it wants, but AI is our equivalent of the calculator," Rodriguez said.
While some argue AI could make society less intelligent, Rodriguez believes it can actually push students toward more advanced learning and creativity when used properly.
"AI has enhanced my ability to be creative in the way I teach my subjects so that my classes aren't as boring as they used to be," Rodriguez said.
Columbus continues to move toward becoming a more AI-oriented school, and Rodriguez believes that preparing students for a technology-driven future is important.
"I can only think of positive impacts," Rodriguez said. "If we get ahead of the curve and continue making strides toward teaching kids how to use AI, we will finally be able to reach every kid in our classrooms, from the strongest learners to the students who struggle the most."
Rodriguez also encouraged teachers who are hesitant about AI to first experiment with it in their personal lives.
"I started using AI by asking for meal prep ideas because I was tired of making the same recipes," Rodriguez said. "Then I started asking it for help with other personal things before eventually moving into using it for work."
Rodriguez hopes students understand both the benefits and responsibilities that come with AI.
"I hope they understand how useful it will be to their growth when used appropriately," Rodriguez said. "At the same time, I hope they understand the disservice they do to themselves if they lose the ability to think critically and creatively by using AI for everything. Be the first generation to change how our brains work, for the better."
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