As AI tools like ChatGPT become everyday classroom assistants, it’s more important than ever to protect your students’ privacy.

That means never sharing personal identifying information when using AI. Even if you’re just drafting a message home or getting help with feedback, it's essential to leave out names, addresses, birthdates, phone numbers, emails, or any other personal data.

Why?
Even though tools like ChatGPT don’t store your data or remember past conversations (unless part of a logged-in app with memory features), privacy laws like FERPA and school policies still apply. You wouldn't post a student’s personal details on a public website—and AI input boxes should be treated the same way.

So what can you do?

✅ Use initials or pseudonyms. Instead of “Jayden Smith,” try “Student A” or “my 4th period student.”

✅ Describe the situation, not the identity. Focus on the behavior or question you're working through, not who it’s about.

✅ Use AI for general help. Draft a letter, design a rubric, brainstorm lesson ideas—but always remove identifying details first.

AI can be a powerful tool to save time and spark ideas—but only if we use it responsibly.

🔐 Think of it like this: If it’s not safe to write on the whiteboard, it’s not safe to type into AI.

⚠️ Think Twice Before Typing These into AI

These tasks might seem helpful—but could easily involve private info:

1. Creating a class birthday calendar
   🚫 Avoid sharing student names + birthdates.

2. Drafting parent communication emails
   🚫 Don’t include parent names, email addresses, or student details.

3. Building student seating charts
   🚫 Skip names—use initials or placeholders (e.g., Student A, B, C).

4. Generating student progress reports
   🚫 Don’t paste personal feedback linked to a specific student.

5. Planning IEP support strategies
   🚫 Be cautious—IEP info is protected and highly sensitive.

6. Designing classroom behavior logs
   🚫 Avoid listing individual behavior incidents tied to names.

7. Creating rosters for clubs or teams
   🚫 Don't share full names or contact info of participants.

8. Organizing volunteer sign-up lists
   🚫 Skip emails, phone numbers, or availability linked to parent names.

9. Summarizing parent-teacher conferences
   🚫 Don’t share anything personally identifiable from the meeting.

10. Entering student stories or anecdotes for class blogs/newsletters
    🚫 Even well-meaning examples can cross a line—use general terms.

✅ Pro Tip: Use AI for structures, templates, and ideas. Add personal info yourself—outside the AI platform.

That’s it for this week.