Designing the Uncheatable Assignment: How Waxahachie ISD Tackled AI-Era Instruction Head-On

What happens when a school district leans into the AI revolution instead of resisting it? Waxahachie ISD discovered the results, which were transformative!

Meeting the Moment: AI in the Classroom Is Here

As tools like ChatGPT, MagicSchool, and SchoolAI flood student devices, teachers across the country are asking: How do we keep instruction relevant? How do we maintain academic integrity without waging war on technology?

Waxahachie ISD didn’t wait to find out. Instead, they brought over 60 instructional leaders, classroom teachers, and campus coaches together from surrounding districts for a full-day AI Academy with friEdTech CEO Amy Mayer. The goal? Rethink how we teach in an age where AI is everywhere, and design lessons students can’t just click their way through.

The Uncheatable Assignment Framework

This wasn’t your typical sit-and-get PD. Waxahachie’s AI Academy focused on redesigning instruction around five “uncheatable” traits, qualities that make assignments more personal, creative, and resilient to plagiarism or automation.

“You absolutely do NOT have to change all your assignments, just the ones AI can do and students don’t care about.”
-Amy Mayer, CEO, friEdTech

Rather than fearing AI, teachers learned to embrace it ethically, crafting student-facing tools that empower learners while preserving authenticity. Real lessons were transformed, not with more tech, but with deeper intentionality.

Inside the AI Academy

Date: May 13, 2025
Location: Teaching & Learning Building, Waxahachie, TX
Facilitator: Amy Mayer, CEO, friEdTech
Audience: 60+ instructional leaders, teachers, and coaches

The one-day workshop was structured in two 3-hour interactive sessions, featuring hands-on labs, real-time coaching, and team collaboration. Key highlights included:

• The Cycle of Futility keynote on how AI disrupts traditional instruction
• Rubric-based evaluations of current assignments
• Collaborative redesign of classroom tasks
• AI chatbot interaction using ChatGPT & Google Gemini
• Spotlight sessions where teachers shared their redesigned “uncheatable” lessons
  

The Impact Was Immediate

Every participant walked away with at least one redesigned assignment, AI-ready prompt language, and student-facing resources they could use the very next day.

“This was the best workshop day, EVER! We love the PROMPTing guide and the AI assessment tool.”
-Barbara Mikulecky, Waxahachie ISD

“I like how we were challenged to create lessons that promote students using AI, not ignoring it. It’s not the enemy. It’s a teammate.”
-Shanna Campbell, Waxahachie ISD

Why It Worked

This wasn’t about showing off new tech. It was about changing how educators think. The “Uncheatable Assignment” framework shifted the focus from restriction to innovation, from fear to empowerment. And for Waxahachie ISD, it marked a powerful starting point for building a future-ready instructional strategy.

“This was exactly the type of thinking and work we needed to begin reframing instruction in a world with AI.”
-Ashley Cieri, Waxahachie ISD

See It in Action

Check out the photo highlights from the day, including spotlight presentations, redesigned assignment slides, and breakout group action shots.

See the white paper which covers in detail the challenges at hand, solutions, impact, and feedback from participants.

Ready to Reframe Instruction in Your District?

Let’s talk about what a customized AI Academy could look like for your educators. Get in touch with us today!