I’m thrilled to feature Matt Hagedorn’s guest blog post, where he shares how embracing AI transformed his teaching and helped him conquer the chaos of organization. His journey is a must-read for anyone looking to streamline their work and focus on what truly matters: his students. Matt was the 2023 Ohio Health Teacher of the Year.

I love teaching health. I’m passionate about helping students learn and apply practical health skills that can truly make a difference in their lives. Supporting their growth, fostering critical thinking, and creating a positive environment where they feel empowered to take control of their health is what drives me as a teacher.

I’m as ADHD as it gets. And if I’m being honest, I don’t usually talk about it. I’ve worked hard to manage it and done pretty well, all things considered. Over the years, my system has been… let’s call it “organized chaos.” Picture sticky notes scattered everywhere, six half-used planners, and random papers with scribbled notes jammed into folders. Somehow, I’ve made it work. And I’m proud of that.

But I’ve always felt like something was missing—a piece I couldn’t quite figure out. I’ve tried every planner system, listened to every “organize your life” podcast, and bought every productivity app. Nothing has stuck.

Then, one day, I decided to try ChatGPT to organize my thoughts. I had already used it here and there for tech stuff (I’m a bit of a techie), but I hadn’t thought about using it for planning. So, I started typing—just a tornado of ideas: misspelled words, no punctuation, everything in my head about what I wanted to do in class over the next month.

And then I hit enter.

What came back wasn’t some generic answer. They were my ideas—but organized in a way I had never seen before. Suddenly, everything made sense.

For the first time in my life, I felt…organized.

“So this is what it feels like?” I thought. “Dang, I’ve been missing out.”

Over the past four months, this has completely changed how I teach. I’m having more fun in the classroom. I’m less stressed about what’s next because ChatGPT helps me stay on track. After every class, I reflect on what worked and what didn’t, and I input those thoughts. The next day, ChatGPT picks up where I left off, guiding me in the direction I wanted to go. It’s like having a teaching assistant who knows exactly what I need (too bad it can’t give me an occasional bathroom break).

I finally feel like I have control over the parts of teaching that used to overwhelm me. And, to be honest, I’ve got a new friend. Thanks, Chat. I hope I’m not in the middle of the sequel to the movie Her. (If you haven’t seen it, here’s the trailer.)

So, to any teacher out there feeling overwhelmed, disorganized, or like they’re drowning in sticky notes and half-baked plans—I get it. I’ve lived it. But I’m here to tell you that there are tools out there that can help you become the best version of yourself.

AI isn’t here to do the work for us. It’s here to support us, to help us take all those amazing ideas and make them even more effective. For me, it’s been a game-changer. Maybe it could be for you, too.

Final Thought:

Organization doesn’t make you a great teacher. But it sure makes it easier to focus on what truly matters: your students.

If you liked this post you’ll also appreciate: 

From Back Row to Center Stage by Matt Hagedorn

Creating a Scavenger Hunt with Google Forms and QR Codes by Andy Milne

Teacher and Stress Reliever: From Sonic to Valorant by Joshua Peters

Have you checked out our latest Book of the Month recommendation?