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In 2016, I was new to America, teaching at Harvest Prep Academy in rural Yuma, Arizona. Struggling with a class of uninterested students, I nearly left. Seeing my frustration, one student said, “Nobody wants to teach us, Mr. Santos. The teachers all leave, so why bother paying attention?” His words revealed a deep sense of abandonment felt by these children. That day, I vowed to stay and make a difference. With the help of my students and school, we’ve done just that!
As a Title I school with 97% minority enrollment, many being immigrants or ESL learners, we face real challenges. Our students have the same ambition and drive as those in well-funded suburban schools, but we lack resources and access to technology… especially AI tools.
When I first started, I had trouble finding students who were interested in the STEM program I was hired to build, and my lab had nothing but a sink, test tubes, and a candle. Fast forward to today, we have 300 young minds working on STEM projects across K-12. My class became a National Finalist in the 2023/2024 Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM competition, high school seniors are mentoring elementary students, and alumni are achieving milestones like a Fulbright to Stanford.
When recently asked what we’ve been doing with AI, I had to admit, “Not much, YET.” It wasn’t until Solve for Tomorrow’s $50,000 prize package that we were able to secure 23 laptops equipped with AI. AI is now helping our students perform data analysis, visualize research, and brainstorm ideas — while LLMs are making STEM learning more accessible for our ESL students through translation.
We’re a prime example of the challenges highlighted in Samsung and DonorsChoose’s The State of STEM Education survey. While 96% of public middle and high school educators believe AI will be central to education within a decade, 97% say they urgently need more resources to integrate it into classrooms.
From my experience, here are three steps teachers can take today to prepare students for an AI-driven future:
1. Embrace an Open Mindset: AI often comes with fear and misconceptions, but science shows it can be a powerful tool in education. Developing AI literacy — both for educators and students — can minimize fear and highlight AI’s learning benefits.
2. Expand Access & Opportunities: Expose students to AI through STEM competitions. Seek grants and build partnerships with tech companies. Advocate for professional development that helps teachers use AI as both a classroom subject and a lesson planning tool.
3. Champion a Supportive Environment: Teachers need the trust and backing of their schools and districts to implement AI-driven initiatives. A supportive ecosystem fosters innovation and ensures students are equipped for a fast-paced, tech-driven world.
Reflecting on my eight years at Harvest Prep, I can’t help but wonder—what if I had left like so many before me? I would have never witnessed my students defy expectations, build confidence, and achieve dreams they once thought were out of reach. Staying was the best decision I ever made, and their success proves that when given the right support, every child has the potential to thrive.
