A Philosopher’s Reflections on Teaching in a World with AI
“I once believed my students and I were in this together, engaged in a shared intellectual pursuit. That faith has been obliterated over the past few semesters.”
That’s Troy Jollimore, a philosopher and poet at California State University, Chico, writing at The Walrus about the widespread use of ChatGPT and other large language models by college students.
[Eduardo Paolozzi, Chimpanzee in a Test Box Designed for Space Flight / Mobot Mark 1]
.
Likening the technology to a “magic bag,” he notes that it is irresistible to many students, even when they know its use would constitute cheating:
To judge by the number of papers I read last semester that were clearly AI generated, a lot of students are enthusiastic about this latest innovation. It turns out, too, this enthusiasm is hardly dampened by, say, a clear statement in one’s syllabus prohibiting the use of AI. Or by frequent reminders of this policy, accompanied by heartfelt pleas that students author the work they submit.
Educators are always battling strong cultural forces. “Our society has always manifested strongly anti-intellectual tendencies,” he notes. And AI makes that battle even harder.
Combating such skepticism is a large part of what education is all about. The best way to get people to see why education matters is to educate them; you can’t really grasp that value from the outside. There are always students who are willing but who feel an automatic resistance to any effort to help them learn. They need, to some degree, to be dragged along. But in the process of completing the assigned coursework, some of them start to feel it. They begin to grasp that thinking well, and in an informed manner, really is different from thinking poorly and from a position of ignorance.
That moment, when you start to understand the power of clear thinking, is crucial. The trouble with generative AI is that it short-circuits that process entirely.
Writing is a crucial part of learning, Jollimore says, and work-arounds to prevent cheating with AI are inadequate:
Writing in a classroom can never approximate the sustained concentration required to produce a carefully thought-out, polished piece done over a period of time. Being assigned such projects encourages students to work at a higher level and to flex more of their intellectual capacities. It teaches them that good writing is something you craft, not something you spit out at a moment’s notice. And it demonstrates to them that they are capable of producing something they can be proud of. Moreover, restricting students’ writing to the classroom overlooks the fact that a student’s comprehension and thinking ability will nearly always be more accurately represented by sentences they take time to mull over, to compose, and to revise than by words they whip up when confronted by an exam question.
I have said this sort of thing to students from time to time, in explaining why most of their grade—all of it, in some cases—is based on such long-term writing assignments. Such assignments have been the most powerful teaching tool in my arsenal, particularly when they are developed in stages: a first draft followed by feedback, followed by a revision, and so on. Assuming that the student puts in the effort, the paper inevitably gets better through such a process.
But what is more important is that the student gets better. After all, I don’t actually need the essays. I don’t have a shortage of things to read. The essays are a means to an end, the end being the transformation of the author into an educated person. This kind of writing assignment is simply the best available instrument for bringing about this highly desirable end.
But it works only, of course, if the students themselves write the essays.
The above excerpts touch on only some of the important issues Jollimore considers in his essay. Read the whole thing here.
Suspect accused of killing couple at Devil’s Den State Park is a former North Texas school teacher
The suspect was arrested Wednesday and charged with two counts of murder.
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Author: Rachel Snyder
Published: 10:24 AM CDT July 31, 2025
Updated: 1:51 PM CDT August 2, 2025
ARKANSAS, USA — The 28-year-old man charged with killing a couple while they were hiking at Devil’s Den State Park in Arkansas with their two daughters formerly taught elementary school in North Texas.
Andrew James McGann, 28, was arrested Wednesday at a barbershop in Springdale, Arkansas, about 30 miles from the state park, after a five-day search, police said. McGann was charged with two counts of capital murder. A preliminary report from prosecutors detailed how police found McGann, who was getting a haircut at the time of his arrest.
Lewisville ISD confirmed to WFAA that McGann worked at Donald Elementary in the district during the 2022-2023 school year before being placed on administrative leave in the spring of 2023, “following concerns related to classroom management, professional management, and student favoritism.” The district said an internal investigation found no evidence of inappropriate behavior with students. McGann resigned from Lewisville ISD in May of 2023. The Texas Education Agency says McGann has no record of employment in a Texas public school aside from Lewisville ISD.
Police had been searching for McGann since July 26, when they say he fatally stabbed Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, while they were hiking in Devil’s Den State Park with their two daughters, aged 7 and 9. The children weren’t hurt and are safe with family members, according to police.
“I’m extremely grateful for the long hours and dedication that our Agents put forward in bringing justice to this family. The collaboration between State Police, other state and local law enforcement agencies, and our federal partners has been second to none. Because of their hard work and investigative skill, we were able to take a monster off the streets, and bring relief to those two precious girls, and the rest of our citizens,” Arkansas State Police Col. Mike Hagar said in a statement.
“Let there be no mistake – we do not tolerate violent crime in Arkansas. If you target innocent people, law enforcement will hunt you down and bring you to justice,” Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement.
Lewisville ISD officials shared the following letter with Donald Elementary families:
I wanted to send you a message this morning regarding the story in the news about a former Donald Elementary teacher who was arrested out of state this week. First, I want to share my sincerest condolences to the family of the victims involved in this unimaginable act of violence. Our thoughts will continue to be with them during this time.
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Mr. McGann was a teacher at Donald during the 2022-23 school year. In the spring of 2023, we communicated with families of students in Mr. McGann’s class that he was placed on administrative leave while the district investigated complaints of poor classroom management and poor professional judgment related to concerns about uneven treatment of students and displays of favoritism.
Our investigation did not find any evidence of inappropriate behavior with a student, however we did find his classroom management and professional judgment to be below our district’s expectations. Ultimately, Mr. McGann resigned from LISD in May of 2023.
I know news like this can be unsettling, especially in a close-knit school community like ours. Please know that the safety, well-being, and trust of our students and families will always be our top priority. We remain fully committed to upholding the high standards that define Donald Elementary, and to supporting our students and staff every step of the way.
If you or your child need support during this time, our counseling team is here and ready to help. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.
The district also shared the following message to families who previously had students in McGann’s class:
We think it is important to keep you informed of situations that impact our district, even if your student is not directly affected. Former Donald Elementary teacher James McGann was arrested out of state this week. You are receiving this message because after further investigation, it has been determined it is possible Mr. McGann was your child’s teacher in the past.
McGann was a teacher at Donald during the 2022-23 school year. In the spring of 2023, we communicated with families of students in Mr. McGann’s class that he was placed on administrative leave while the district investigated complaints of poor classroom management and poor professional judgment related to concerns about uneven treatment of students and displays of favoritism.
Our investigation did not find any evidence of inappropriate behavior with a student, however we did find his classroom management and professional judgment to be below our district’s expectations. Ultimately, Mr. McGann resigned from LISD in May of 2023.
I know news like this can be unsettling. Please know that the safety, well-being, and trust of our students and families will always be our top priority. If you or your child need support during this time, our counseling team is here and ready to help. Please reach out if you need assistance.
Plano ISD confirmed to WFAA via email that McGann was also employed by their district from Aug. 6 to Aug. 9, 2024 and left before the first day of instruction. Plano ISD said, during McGann’s four-day employment, he did not have direct contact with students and resigned on his own accord. The first day of school for Plano ISD was Aug. 13, 2024.
“All district employees must undergo strict hiring processes and procedures as prescribed by law, including background checks and fingerprinting, to which there were no findings upon the time of his hire,” Plano ISD said via email. “Our deepest sympathies are extended to those whose lives have been impacted by this heinous crime.”
The Associated Press reported McGann had been hired as a teacher candidate at Springdale Public Schools for the upcoming school year, but that the district said McGann had not yet come into contact with any of the district’s families or students.
Most recently, prior to that, the Associated Press reported McGann had taught at Sand Springs Public Schools in a suburb of Tulsa in Oklahoma until May before he resigned to take a job out of state.
Sierra Marcum told WFAA that McGann was her son’s fourth-grade teacher while teaching with Lewisville ISD.
“We first met him in 2022 when the fall semester started,” said Sierra Marcum, whose son was in Andrew James McGann’s class at Donald Elementary in Flower Mound during the 2022–23 school year. “I guess that did surprise me, because while I thought he was off, I never thought he was violent.”
Marcum said she had filed complaints during the school year, based on what her son reported happening in class.
“Eventually told me that he and some other classmates had noticed that Mr. McGann was very touchy and showed a lot of favoritism to certain girls in the class,” Marcum said.
What to know about the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination
Nation Sep 15, 2025 11:24 AM EST
Authorities are still trying to learn more about what motivated the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at a college in Utah, as authorities aim to bring formal charges this week against the man they arrested in connection with the killing.
READ MORE: Analysis: Why Charlie Kirk’s killing could embolden more political violence
Tyler James Robinson, 22, of Washington, Utah, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated murder and other felony offenses. Prosecutors are drawing up formal charges that could be filed as early as Tuesday, when he will make his first court appearance. Authorities have said the crimes in Kirk’s death include aggravated murder, obstruction of justice and felony discharge of a firearm.
Investigators have spoken to Robinson’s relatives and carried out a search warrant at his family’s home in Washington, about 240 miles (390 kilometers) southwest of Utah Valley University, where the shooting took place.
Here are things to know about the killing:
What do we know about motive?
Authorities have not provided many details about why they think Robinson carried out the attack on Kirk.
“There clearly was a leftist ideology,” Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” noting that family and friends described Robinson’s politics as veering left in recent years. They recounted to authorities a dinner table conversation in which he mentioned Kirk’s upcoming visit to Utah Valley University.
Cox said Robinson is “not cooperating” and that friends paint a picture of someone radicalized in the dark corners of the internet. Cox stressed on several Sunday morning news shows that investigators are still trying to pin down a motive for the attack on the father of two and confidant of President Donald Trump.
State records show Robinson is registered to vote but is not affiliated with a political party and is listed as inactive, meaning he did not vote in the two most recent general elections. His parents are registered Republicans.
Ammunition found with the weapon used to kill Kirk was engraved with taunting messages.
What do we know about Robinson?
He grew up around St. George, in the southwestern corner of Utah, between Las Vegas and natural landmarks including Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks.
Robinson became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, known widely as the Mormon church, at a young age, church spokesperson Doug Andersen said.
Robinson has two younger brothers, and his parents have been married for about 25 years, according to social media posts. Online activity by Robinson’s mother reflects an active family that took vacations to Disneyland, Hawaii, the Caribbean and Alaska.
Like many in that part of Utah, they frequently spent time outdoors — boating, fishing, riding ATVs, zip-lining and target shooting. A 2017 post shows the family visiting a military facility and posing with assault rifles. A young Robinson is seen smiling as he grips the handles of a .50-caliber heavy machine gun.
A high school honor roll student who scored in the 99th percentile nationally on standardized tests, he was admitted to Utah State University in 2021 on a prestigious academic scholarship, according to a video of him reading his acceptance letter that was posted to a family member’s social media account.
WATCH: Authorities detail investigation and arrest of suspect in Charlie Kirk’s killing
But he attended for only one semester, according to a university spokesperson. He is currently enrolled as a third-year student in the electrical apprenticeship program at Dixie Technical College in St. George.
Robinson’s partner is transgender, Cox said. Some politicians have pointed to that as a sign Robinson was targeting Kirk for his anti-transgender views, but authorities have not said whether it is relevant to the investigation. Cox said the partner has been “incredibly cooperative,” and “had no idea that this was happening.”
What has the fallout from the assassination been?
It prompted calls for greater civility in the country’s political discourse, especially on social media. But many people have made comments about Kirk and the shooting that brought consequences. Numerous workers have been fired for their comments on Kirk’s death, among them MSNBC political analyst Matthew Dowd.
It’s not the first time people have lost jobs over things they say publicly, but the speed of the firings has raised questions about free speech rights.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ education commissioner warned teachers in the state that making “disgusting” statements about Kirk’s assassination could draw sanctions, including the suspension or revocation of their teaching licenses.
A conservative internet personality who is embedded with immigration agents in Chicago filmed a video outside Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s private home in which he urged viewers to “take action” after Kirk’s assassination. Pritzker’s office said his security has been increased in recent days.
Partisans have been fighting over who’s to blame for Kirk’s death, but experts on political violence say many of those who commit such crimes seem to act on beliefs that don’t map clearly onto partisan lines. They say the broader political environment is more important: The more heated the atmosphere, the more likely it is to lead unstable people to commit acts of violence.
Memorials are held in Washington, Arizona and elsewhere
A vigil at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., was among numerous tributes to Kirk on Sunday. The line of mourners in Washington wrapped around the center.
Kirk also was memorialized at Dream City Church in Phoenix, where he hosted one of his “Freedom Night in America” gatherings. Attendees viewed clips of Kirk discussing his desire to be “remembered for courage for my faith.” Angel Barnett, a church pastor, called on the crowd to honor Kirk by carrying on his message.
Flowers, U.S. flags and handwritten messages were left at a makeshift memorial at Utah Valley University’s main entrance. The school has said there will be increased security when classes resume Wednesday.
Turning Point USA, Kirk’s conservative organization, will hold a memorial for him Sept. 21 at State Farm Stadium outside Phoenix, where the Arizona Cardinals play. Kirk’s casket arrived Thursday in his home state aboard Air Force Two, accompanied by Vice President JD Vance.
His widow, Erika Kirk, vowed to continue his campus tour and his radio and podcast shows.
“To everyone listening tonight across America, the movement my husband built will not die,” she said Friday in a livestreamed video. “It won’t. I refuse to let that happen.”
