Teaching After AI

The tactical guides have been written. This book asks the question they carefully avoid: when machines can explain any concept and tutor any student with infinite patience — what are teachers actually for?

You can find dozens of books on how to use AI in your classroom. How to draft lesson plans faster, generate materials, streamline feedback. This is not that book.

John Collins argues that AI doesn't diminish the need for teachers. It clarifies what teachers are for. And what teachers are for turns out to be more important than ever: the irreplaceable human work of relationship, judgment, modeling, mentorship, and formation. Not content delivery — AI handles that fine. The human work that develops persons, not just their knowledge.

Drawing on conversations with educators navigating this transition in real time, Collins offers:

• A clear-eyed analysis of what's actually changing — and what isn't • A framework for understanding the human work that AI cannot do • Practical implications for assessment, student AI use, and learning design • A grounded vision of what teaching becomes when the routine is automated

This is not a book of tips and tools. It's a book for educators who want to think deeply about their profession at a pivotal moment — and who want to emerge with renewed clarity about why their work matters.

The teachers who thrive won't just use AI tools — they'll understand why human teachers matter more than ever, and they'll do the work that only humans can do.

About the Author: John Collins writes about education, technology, and human development. His work focuses on helping parents and educators navigate the challenges of raising and teaching young people in a rapidly changing world. He is also the author of The Thoughtful Guide to AI for Parents.