Building Bridges Between Tech & Teaching – Courtney Bock on AI Leadership in K–12
“I want AI to give teachers more time to do what we love: teach.”
— Courtney Bock, Library and Information Technology Specialist, Mead School District
In this powerful episode of Vetted by Mark Vetter, we hear from someone right in the trenches of transformation: Courtney Bock, a Library and Information Technology Specialist at Mead School District in Washington. With a unique career path that spans kindergarten classrooms, tech startups, and AI-powered edtech strategy, Courtney brings a rare and refreshing blend of optimism and practicality to the future of learning.
She’s not just exploring the possibilities — she’s writing the policies, shaping the training, and building the digital literacy infrastructure for her entire district.
From Kindergarten to Chatbots
Courtney’s journey began in the classroom — teaching full-day kindergarten — and eventually led to working on natural language models for a Spokane-based AI company (before "AI" was a household term). That early experience now fuels her excitement and leadership in AI today.
Now entering her 15th year in education, Courtney splits her time between library services and a new district-wide role: Digital Literacy and AI Literacy Coordinator. Yes, her district is investing in an actual AI expert to guide its evolution — and she’s leading the charge.
Liaison Between Two Worlds
One of Courtney’s greatest strengths is her ability to straddle the world of curriculum and the world of IT. She’s not just implementing tools; she’s translating between teachers and tech teams to ensure AI is used ethically, safely, and effectively.
“I see myself as a translator between instruction and IT. If those two teams aren’t aligned, students lose.”
She’s already drafted district-wide AI policies and is preparing to lead professional development focused on helping educators confidently and safely integrate AI into their practice.
AI as Time Saver, Not Teacher Replacement
Courtney’s optimism is rooted in the belief that AI, when implemented wisely, can give teachers time back — by eliminating administrative burdens and helping personalize learning plans.
Whether it’s helping a teacher write daily parent emails in minutes instead of 30+ minutes, or streamlining lesson design for IEP and gifted students, Courtney sees AI as a tool to enhance human connection, not replace it.
“AI shouldn’t replace teachers—it should remove the things that get in the way of teaching.”
Teaching with Guardrails
While Mead School District currently blocks ChatGPT for students, Courtney is working toward secure AI access using tools like SchoolAI and MagicSchool, which have passed safety frameworks. For her, student data privacy is non-negotiable, and any AI usage must come with control, transparency, and safeguards.
She also envisions future tools helping assess not just academic progress, but collaboration, problem-solving, and soft skills — those often overlooked but highly valued competencies.
Balancing Risks with Reality
Courtney doesn’t sugarcoat the dangers: from data misuse to unethical surveillance, she’s aware of the risks AI can pose — especially in underfunded districts that may turn to “free” tools without realizing the hidden costs.
But she refuses to let fear paralyze innovation. Instead, she calls on educators and decision-makers to educate themselves, develop smart policies, and fight for funding that supports ethical implementation.
“We don’t need to fear the tool. We need to teach people how to use it well.”
Shooting from the Saddle
Outside of school, Courtney has a surprising passion: cowboy mounted shooting. She competes with her horse, Stella, and serves as president of her local shooting club — offering a sharp contrast (and perhaps balance) to her tech-forward professional world.
What Districts Can Learn From Courtney
This episode isn’t about buzzwords — it’s about real decisions, real policy, and real leadership. Courtney Bock is one of the rare educators actively shaping how AI works in schools — and her grounded, student-first perspective is one that every district leader should hear.
“Teachers don’t need more tech. They need more training, more time, and more trust.”
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