Empowering Educators: A Practical Approach to AI Literacy in K-12 Classrooms

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into society, the need to develop AI literacy in K-12 education is more urgent than ever. This article introduces a practitioner-focused professional development course designed to equip K-12 educators with foundational AI knowledge, ethical considerations, and classroom-ready applications. Created collaboratively with librarians and aligned with research-based instructional design principles, the asynchronous course offers modular content on AI literacy, ethics, classroom integration, and assessment strategies. Educators engage with relatable personas, hands-on activities, and peer discussions across grade levels. The course also incorporates micro-badging and digital credentialing to promote engagement and track progress. Designed with flexibility in mind, this initiative addresses teacher burnout by demonstrating how AI tools can support differentiated instruction, streamline planning, and reduce administrative burdens. Grounded in evidence and responsive to educator feedback, the course fosters a professional learning community and provides a scalable model for AI integration in K-12 education.