For Donnie Piercey, technology is less about showing off the newest device and more about empowering teachers and students. In his Lexington classroom, the 2021 Kentucky Teacher of the Year uses AI to spark curiosity, save time and give students more ownership of their education.
At FETC 2026, Piercey plans to bring that message to district leaders and educators nationwide. “At FETC, I want to show that AI and technology aren’t just ‘extra’ tools; they can actually simplify the day-to-day work of teaching while giving students more ownership of their learning,” Piercey says.
He hopes educators leave with practical strategies and a broader sense of how these tools can inspire creativity and inquiry.
Shaping classrooms around curiosity
Piercey, who has taught in Kentucky since 2007, says his early years in the classroom looked very different from today. “When I started, I thought teaching was about me delivering knowledge,” he says.
Over time, Pierces says he realized teaching is more about creating the conditions for students to discover, question and share their learning with the world. Technology, he adds, has helped him shift from the “sage on the stage” to the “guide on the side.”
By connecting students to real-world audiences and authentic problems, Piercey says engagement rises naturally. A podcast with listeners or a virtual conversation with a scientist in Antarctica turn abstract content into lived experiences, he explains.
“When a fourth grader realizes they can connect with a scientist in Antarctica or publish a podcast that people actually listen to, their curiosity skyrockets,” he says. “That’s what hooked me; the way that tech can make learning real.”
Practical technology strategies first, creativity next
Piercey, author of 50 Strategies for Integrating AI into the Classroom, says that educators often start with time-saving AI tools, such as lesson-planning supports, quick feedback or practice problems.
Once they see those benefits, he notes, many branch into more creative uses like co-writing or simulations. This step-by-step approach, he adds, helps build confidence without overwhelming teachers or students.
Balancing technology innovation with wellness
Balance must be modeled as much as taught, Piercey says. “For me, AI is never the star of the show—the learners in my classroom are.” Furthermore, the tools are there to support, not replace, human creativity.
Piercey emphasizes reflection—asking students when technology helps and when it distracts. Not every lesson needs a screen, he reminds them; sometimes students learn best through hands-on experiments or time outdoors.
Storytelling and the future of educational technology
As a Google Certified Innovator and National Geographic Teacher Fellow, Piercey has seen firsthand how storytelling and global connections can transform classrooms.
He highlights tools like Google Earth and VR, which let students “fly” to the Amazon rainforest or zoom in to talk to local experts. Those experiences, he says, build empathy and curiosity.
Looking ahead, Piercey sees personalization and storytelling as technology’s greatest opportunity in the next five years.
For district leaders, Piercey encourages teachers who are exploring AI and EdTech to keep creativity, inquiry and balance at the center. “If the tech doesn’t amplify student voice or curiosity, then it doesn’t belong in my classroom,” he says.
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