TeachAid amplifies teaching and learning at Somerville Intermediate
All teachers at the school have access to high-quality AI tools, professional learning, and a shared platform to design and refine learning
At Somerville Intermediate, teachers have a long tradition of working collaboratively to design rich, purposeful learning experiences. Now, working with TeachAid, the school has enhanced quality and consistency, benefiting both staff and students.
Tumuaki Principal Yolande Franke explained. “Prior to TeachAid, some teachers were using AI tools in different ways, which created variability. TeachAid enabled us to move to a position where all teachers have equitable access to high-quality AI tools, professional learning, and a shared platform to design and refine learning together.
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“Importantly, TeachAid aligns with our transdisciplinary curriculum design, housing all New Zealand Curriculum areas in one place. It integrates Universal Design for Learning (UDL) from the outset, enabling teachers to design differentiated, inclusive learning experiences tailored to the needs of every student.”
Ms Franke stressed that TeachAid is not a replacement for teachers, but a powerful support that enhances teacher capability and impact.
Julian Salari, Director of Marketing at TeachAid, said the platform supports Somerville Intermediate’s focus on inquiry, critical thinking, and transdisciplinary learning. “It can help staff create tailored prompts to deepen inquiry, build shared banks of planning resources, generate curriculum-aligned units and lessons, support assessment design, and provide classroom-ready materials that teachers can adapt for their learners and context.
“It also offers tools that can support guided student learning during inquiry-based work, while keeping teachers in control of how those tools are used,” Mr Salari said.
“The platform is meant to speed up strong professional practice, while leaving final judgement and responsibility with educators.”
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The platform helps with the heavy lifting of planning, generating lesson frameworks, resources, and activities aligned to curriculum goals. Teachers then apply their professional judgement to review, adapt, and personalise material to ensure it meets the specific needs of learners.
A key feature of TeachAid is that it is designed to help schools and teachers create learning that aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum and with local curriculum expectations. “Rather than producing generic materials alone, it supports educators in building units, lessons, and assessments that reflect New Zealand standards, achievement expectations, and the specific context of their school and community,” Mr Salari said. “This includes helping teachers tailor content to local priorities, learner needs, school themes, and culturally relevant contexts, so the output is both curriculum-aligned and meaningful for students.”
Mr Salari said TeachAid is designed around responsible AI use in schools. “That means keeping educators in control, supporting supervised and purposeful use, and helping schools use AI in ways that are safe, practical, and appropriate for learning environments.
“Privacy and student safety are treated as core priorities, with a focus on limiting unnecessary data exposure, supporting secure school use, and ensuring that student-facing experiences are structured within teacher-managed environments,” Mr Salari said.
“The goal is to help schools benefit from AI while maintaining strong safeguards around oversight, privacy, and safe classroom implementation.”
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Ms Franke said both staff and students at Somerville Intermediate have responded positively to the implementation of TeachAid. Teachers have reported: reduced planning time, allowing more focus on teaching and feedback; greater confidence in integrating AI and the refreshed NZ Curriculum; and increased efficiency through ready-to-adapt resources and insights into student needs.
“For students, TeachAid has enabled equitable access to AI tools in a safe, structured environment. Students appreciate the immediacy of feedback, the increased sense of agency in their learning, and the ability to engage with learning in interactive ways.
“TeachAid has enabled us to bring consistency, equity, and innovation together. It hasn’t replaced great teaching, it has amplified it.”
