Technological advances have long impacted classroom learning — remember the onset of the internet and cell phones? Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an entirely new animal and with the increase in the prevalence of AI tools to complete tasks that humans used to do; some people are worried that AI will take over their jobs — teachers among them.
The University of Lethbridge’s Dr. Richelle Marynowski (BEd ’94) will examine the exponential growth of AI’s influence in the classroom and how it can be utilized to enhance, rather than replace, the work of teachers. Her PUBlic Professor Series talk, Has AI Made Teachers Obsolete?, takes place Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, 7 to 9 p.m. at the Sandman Signature Lodge. Her talk is supported by the University of Lethbridge Alumni Association and an anonymous donor.
Marynowski asks what many people are thinking, “Why do we need teachers when a chatbot can give me the answers to my questions?”
“Many of us fear new things,” says Marynowski, a professor in the Faculty of Education. “I was very skeptical of AI at first, very, very skeptical, until I was shown the capabilities of AI. It still needs to be controlled or managed by the human, so I don’t see AI as taking over human jobs or human thought. What I see is AI being integrated into the workflow and being leveraged to do jobs more quickly and thoroughly.”
Marynowski says that one of the biggest challenges in education is curtailing burnout for teachers that sees new teachers leaving the profession within the first five years.
“What I hope to see is how teachers can use the power of AI to do some of the heavy lifting in their work, so they’re not abdicating their knowledge to the technology, rather they’re enhancing their knowledge through the technology,” she says. “I’m excited to use the tools that AI can offer to help teachers better their practice as well as the student experience.”
Now a professor who guides the development of new teachers, Marynowski has experience in all aspects of the profession. She began her teaching career in a small rural community in Alberta and then moved to Edmonton. Her K–12 teaching career spanned 17 years and six different schools. She completed a Master of Education in 2001 and a PhD in 2014. She began her career at ULethbridge in 2011 as a lecturer in the Faculty of Education.
Marynowski’s research has focused on mathematics teaching and learning and assessment practices through a lens of teacher professional development. Caring for teachers and their craft has been a focus of all her work. More recently, she co-founded an AI company designed to support the professional practice of teachers while reducing teacher burnout.
The 2025 PUBlic Professor Series has been generously supported by the University of Lethbridge Senate, Knud Petersen, Dr. Dennis Connolly (LLD ’17), Dave and Kathy Greenwood, Dr. Michelle Helstein, Dr. Digvir and Manju Jayas, Deborah Lucas, and Dr. Dena McMartin.
The annual PUBlic Professor Series lectures spark thought-provoking discussions on the most relevant topics of the day, bringing together a diverse group of experts and researchers from across campus and into the community. Every talk is free of charge. For a look at the full series, visit ulethbridge.ca/research/public-professor.
2025-26 PUBlic Professor Series (remaining schedule)
Has AI Made Teachers Obsolete? — Dr. Richelle Marynowski — Thursday, November 27, 2025 — Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge
From Action to Cognition: How the Body Shapes the Mind — Dr. Claudia Gonzalez, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026 — The Owl Acoustic Lounge
Indigenous Childhood Stories Transform Worlds – Want Some? — Dr. Don McIntyre, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026 — Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge
Legalized Gambling in Canada: Winners and Losers — Dr. Robert Williams — Thursday, March 26, 2026 — Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge