At ASU Prep Digital, innovation in education isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a daily practice. And no one embodies that spirit more than Meaghan Goliday, who was recently named AI Teacher of the Year by MagicSchool. Her thoughtful integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into instruction transforms her students’ learning experiences and secures a place for AI-powered tools in digital education.
A path rooted in relationships
Meaghan Goliday’s journey to becoming AI Teacher of the Year didn’t begin with algorithms or platforms—it started in a traditional classroom in Louisiana. There, she discovered her north star as an educator: relationships come first.
That guiding principle has carried her across the country, from helping launch a high school in Seattle to teaching sixth-grade English at ASU Prep Digital. Today, she’s known not only for her warmth and connection with students, but for her transformative use of technology—particularly AI.
Teaching smarter, not harder—with AI tools
At ASU Prep Digital, Goliday quickly became a leading voice in AI-powered instruction. She’s among the network’s top users of MagicSchool AI, using it to streamline lesson plans, generate rubrics, scaffold feedback and build goal-tracking systems. With these generative AI tools, she’s found smart ways to lighten her planning load—without sacrificing student impact.
Her favorite hack? Designing custom reading passages for live lessons that align with grade-level metrics and student learning goals that they will later be assessed by, giving them a clear, consistent roadmap for success.
But AI isn’t just a behind-the-scenes tool for Meaghan—it’s something her students actively learn to use, too.
Students who think differently
In Goliday’s classroom, AI is a springboard—not a shortcut. She teaches students to use it for brainstorming, revising and organizing ideas, especially when they hit a creative block. They’re discovering how language models like ChatGPT can enhance their critical thinking and streamline their learning paths. The result: students who feel more independent, more capable and more engaged in their own interactive learning experience.
“How many times have I heard a student say, ‘I’ve written everything I can think of and I still need two more paragraphs’?” Goliday shares. “AI helps them practice their agency and cultivate their creativity and critical thinking without having to wait to meet with me during office hours.”
Rather than replacing human effort, AI extends it—giving learners the tools to think more critically, not just absorb information.
Where relationships and technology meet
For all the innovation in her classroom, Goliday is clear about one thing: tech doesn’t replace the teacher.
Students trust her because they feel seen, understood and supported. That trust allows her to leverage AI in ways that enhance—not hinder—human connection. By automating certain tasks, she creates an adaptive learning environment and more space for the moments that matter: the lightbulb realizations, the honest conversations, the real-world breakthroughs that can’t be scripted.
A model for ethical, empowered use
With AI at their fingertips, students face new choices. Goliday meets those moments with mentorship, not punishment. She sets clear expectations, revisits them often and helps students understand how their choices affect their growth. When missteps happen, they become learning opportunities.
“It’s hard not to go down the rabbit-hole of being the AI police when we see something suspicious. But I take a different approach,” she says. “I take these opportunities to talk to the student about what led them to make that choice and how it impacts their learning. We then talk about how to tweak what they did to help them in their planning and editing phases and what other tools are available to help them when they get stuck.”
Her values-driven approach teaches students to use AI tools thoughtfully, take ownership of their learning and become more reflective learners.
A look ahead
Goliday believes generative AI will soon be a standard part of every educator’s toolkit. Her advice for teachers just getting started? Start small. Focus on one tool or interactive workflow that genuinely helps. If it doesn’t make your teaching easier or your students’ experience better, try something else.
“I found MagicSchool AI super easy to use, especially since they have their own certifications and examples within their tools,” Goliday says. “The number of tools they host might feel overwhelming, but start out with one that will make a big impact for you, like the Writing Feedback tool or the chatbots, and then go from there!”
A well-earned honor
Being named AI Teacher of the Year isn’t just a career milestone for Goliday—it’s a celebration of what’s possible when relationships and innovation go hand in hand.
“Personally and professionally, this is a recognition of the work that I do faithfully every day,” she says. “It is recognition of how I use MagicSchool AI for not just the regular grading support, but how I have created motivating challenges for my students that keep them excited about coming to class.”
Her biggest inspiration is her mom, a longtime special education teacher who did what was best for her students, never letting a lack of resources limit her students’ potential.
“She inspired me to always think big,” Goliday says.
And that’s exactly what she does—for herself, her students and the future of education.
Innovating K–12 education with adaptive learning and technology
Meaghan Goliday’s story reflects what we value most at ASU Prep Digital: strong relationships, meaningful learning, and smart use of technology to support every student. Her approach to using AI tools in the classroom shows how innovation can deepen connections and boost student engagement.
As an accredited K–12 online program, ASU Prep Digital blends flexibility with personalized support, offering students the chance to grow academically while exploring their interests. From dynamic lesson plans to real-time feedback and college-level learning experiences, we’re creating a future-ready learning environment where students—and teachers like Ms. Goliday—thrive.
From the arts to engineering, ASU Prep Digital empowers students to pursue their passions while achieving academic excellence. Join an upcoming information session to see how ASU Prep Digital can help your student grow with confidence—and curiosity.
