Aurora Public Schools, one of Colorado’s largest and most diverse districts with over 38,000 students, joined the MagicSchool community in Fall 2023. They leverage the MagicSchool Enterprise package to empower teachers with AI time-saving tools and use MagicSchool for Students (MagicStudent) to help increase AI literacy and support student success.
Like many educators, teachers at Aurora Public Schools navigate the challenge of supporting students at varied academic and language proficiency levels within a single classroom. For example, Johnnie Lacey, a dedicated teacher at Aurora, welcomed eight newcomer students with limited English proficiency, alongside students with IEPs and those performing below grade level in literacy. He found differentiating instruction to meet the unique needs of each student was a struggle, often feeling torn about how to allocate his time and energy.
“It was always a game of, which student do I pick? Which student do I choose? And that was always the hardest part for me,” said Lacey. “I never felt like I was able to get to everything and support all my students the way they deserved.”
To support his students, Lacey leveraged MagicSchool’s tools tailored for language learning, including the “Language Learning Tutor” and “Translate It!” in MagicSchool for Students. These tools created opportunities for students to engage and practice English together, helping them build foundational language skills.
Lacey also utilized MagicSchool’s “Writing Feedback” tool, which gave students immediate, constructive suggestions for improving their writing. After interacting with the tool, Lacey reviewed its recommendations, using his professional insight to provide more personalized feedback based on each student’s unique needs. By combining his expertise with MagicSchool’s responsible AI tools, Lacey ensured that students received safe, tailored support in a secure, privacy-focused environment.
Since Aurora Public Schools began integrating MagicSchool’s tools in Lacey's classroom, they have seen a 28% increase in students meeting grade-level expectations in literacy. Lacey shared that the students who made the most significant progress were those who had initially struggled the most. Moreover, the district has made notable strides in equipping students with essential AI literacy skills, preparing them for future success in an AI-integrated workforce.
“Embedding AI into students’ lives now is so important because it’s going to be a natural part of their jobs as adults,” said Lacey. “MagicSchool has made it possible for me to balance my time better, helping each student more effectively while feeling less overwhelmed.”
As a dedicated educator, Lacey exemplifies the magic that drives student success, using AI as a supportive tool to unlock each student’s potential. As an AI Pioneer, he not only achieved measurable gains with his students but also inspired and equipped his peers to leverage MagicSchool in their classrooms, amplifying the positive impact across his district.
MagicSchool is the trusted, most widely-used AI platform in education, empowering over 6,000 schools and districts with safe, reliable, and powerful AI tools. Together, we’re transforming education and supporting teachers in creating engaging, innovative classrooms. We’re honored to partner with educators like Johnnie Lacey, who make a profound difference in students’ lives every day. Together, let’s continue building a future where AI supports teachers and strengthens classrooms nationwide.