The AI-Enhanced Classroom

Karen Sawicki is an award-winning educator, instructional technology coach, and author with over eighteen years of experience in K-12 classrooms. She began her career teaching high school English and social studies in a large public school district, where she became known for integrating technology not as a novelty, but as a tool to solve real instructional problems. After earning a master’s degree in Learning, Design, and Technology from the University of Michigan, she transitioned into a district-wide role supporting teachers in the effective use of educational technology. Her work has been featured in *Edutopia*, *The Journal of Digital Learning in Teacher Education*, and on the *Cult of Pedagogy* podcast.

Sawicki is the founder of the consultancy EduAmp Digital, where she leads professional development workshops and coaching cohorts focused on practical, ethical AI integration. She has trained thousands of teachers across the United States and Canada, focusing on strategies that save time and deepen student learning rather than chasing the latest fads. She is a frequent speaker at national conferences, including ISTE, SXSW EDU, and the ASCD Annual Conference. Her first book, *The Paperless Classroom: A Practical Guide*, received critical acclaim for its no-nonsense approach to digital workflow.

When not in schools, Sawicki volunteers with her local public library’s adult literacy program and serves on the advisory board for the Center for Digital Learning at the University of Texas at Austin. She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and two children, who provide her with a constant, firsthand understanding of how students actually use (and misuse) technology at home.