An English teacher reveals how ChatGPT turned from a classroom experiment into a major headache. At first, the AI-generated essays were easy to spot—repetitive, shallow, and missing strong analysis. Teachers even tried using AI essays to challenge students, asking them to improve on them or explain their flaws.
Soon after, the AI got better. Students started relying heavily on it for outlines and examples, ditching their own critical thinking. The line between AI use and cheating blurred. Teachers struggled to spot what was genuinely a student’s work versus AI’s.
The teacher noticed students depending on AI for everything—even relationship advice. This shift drained the joy from teaching English and made assessment nearly impossible. 
"My students started using AI regularly… They grew to depend on it, asking it to give them an outline instead of using their own minds."
"Eventually, it seemed students were struggling with the temptation of the low-hanging fruit, and their dependency on AI made my job nearly impossible."
Colleagues are cracking down with anti-cheating tools and handwritten essays. But the pressure remains high.
The teacher switched gears to American Sign Language classes, which so far remain untouched by AI. It feels like a fresh start, with students more engaged and present.
"What I love about the humanities is hollowed by AI; however, ASL retains the human element of teaching. I know AI will eventually be able to impact the ASL classroom, but for now, I’m enjoying this reprieve."
AI tools are changing education fast. Teachers are racing to adapt or find new ground.
