Teachers play a central role in shaping how AI is experienced in the classroom. Many are already experimenting with these tools, often on their own initiative. At the same time, many feel underprepared for the ethical and pedagogical questions AI raises. This gap matters. Without support, teachers may feel pressure to either ban AI outright or embrace it uncritically. Neither response serves learners well. What teachers need is time, training, and trust: opportunities to explore how AI fits with their subject, their students, and their values. Professional development that focuses on critical evaluation – not just how to use a tool, but when and why to use it – can make a real difference. Clear, shared policies on acceptable use and academic integrity can also reduce anxiety and create a sense of collective responsibility rather than individual risk. Encouragingly, many teachers see AI not as a threat to their profession, but as an opportunity to refocus on what makes teaching human: building relationships, fostering collaboration, and helping learners make sense of complex ideas.