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Overview
In Mont Belvieu, Texas, a group of forward-thinking middle school English Language Arts teachers in the Barbers Hill Independent School District discovered Brisk Teaching. They brought it to their curriculum department, unaware that their discovery would spark a district-wide AI transformation.
With nearly 8,000 students and over 600 teachers spread across eight campuses, Barbers Hill ISD wasn't interested in shiny gadgets or fleeting trends. They needed a solution that would make a real, lasting impact on both teaching and learning. That’s why they chose Brisk.
The Challenge: Complementing Instruction, Not Complicating It
With so many new AI tools on the scene, Barbers Hill ISD wanted to make sure their core focus remained on pedagogy. They needed a safe tool that would seamlessly enhance instructional practices.
“We don’t want to get distracted by the bright and shiny things,” says Elaina Kloecker, a Technology Integration Coach at Barbers Hill ISD. “We really try to push our teachers toward sound instructional practices with the tech embedded into it. And I think Brisk does a fantastic job of that.”
The Technology Integration Coaches knew that some educators would be hesitant to fully embrace AI in the classroom. Before choosing Brisk, the district tested many other popular AI tools, but found that they all had limitations – whether in functionality, ease of use, or the ability to integrate into existing workflows. This emphasized the district’s need for an intuitive tool that could seamlessly integrate into teachers' daily routines without disrupting their established practices. They kept going back to Brisk.
The Solution: Frictionless AI that Sparked a Movement
Seamless integration made Brisk easy to adopt
To ease teachers into the world of AI, the district's Technology Integration Coaches rolled out Brisk gradually. They started with small demonstrations during professional learning communities, allowing teachers to dip their toes into the Brisk waters. For those who needed extra support, they offered one-on-one sessions. Along the way, they built confidence through hands-on training and by sharing success stories from early adopters.
As teachers began to experiment with Brisk, something remarkable happened. Brisk’s seamless integration with Google Workspace made it feel like a natural part of teachers’ existing routines, not a disruption. Brisk wasn’t just another independent platform to learn – it was ready to use in the places teachers were already working, like Google Docs, Slides, YouTube videos, and more.
One of the most inspiring transformations was that formerly tech-resistant teachers became Brisk’s biggest champions. The same educators who once shied away from new technology were now enthusiastically leading training sessions for their peers.
“Some of those who were resistant to AI are now taking the charge,” shares Brianne Brandt, a Technology Integration Coach. “Brisk is empowering teachers who are sometimes more hesitant to try some of the hard things… It's making them feel so comfortable that they're able to use it in their classroom and then also teach other teachers about it. I think it just shines the value of how easy it is to use and how it's making them feel empowered.”
Kristy Francis, 8th grade Curriculum and Instruction Team Lead, shares, “Brisk has streamlined my workflow tremendously. I can now focus more on actual teaching and less on managing technology or finding tutorial content for my students. The data analytics feature has given me unprecedented insights into each student's progress, allowing me to provide timely, targeted support.”
Features that made Brisk a classroom essential
Targeted Feedback
Brisk caught Barbers Hill ISD teachers’ attention by making it easy to give fast, personalized feedback directly in students’ Google Docs – without losing the ability to tailor comments and add their own voice.
“Integrating Brisk into my classroom has been a game-changer, particularly when it comes to grading and providing meaningful feedback,” says high school English Language Arts teacher, Kelly Collins. “As teachers, we constantly face the pressure of offering timely, purposeful responses that help students grow as writers – something that can be overwhelming, especially with large class sizes. Brisk has lightened that load without compromising quality.”
Brisk’s feedback tools also support and empower new educators. Kloecker says, “Feedback is something you learn how to do with years of experience, and this is giving [new teachers] that stepping stone to be able to impact their students that way.”
Brisk Boost Student Activities
When Brisk Boost for students launched, it opened the door for more creativity and impact. Brisk Boost is an AI-powered chat experience for students that helps them brainstorm, engage with learning materials, and get personalized tutoring. Kloecker described that Boost “spread like wildfire” among the teachers of Barbers Hill.
The ability to “chat” with historical and literary characters has been especially engaging. Students, usually reluctant to participate, were suddenly engrossed in conversations with AI-generated literary characters. Upon using Boost for the first time, one student confided that it was the first time he felt intellectually challenged in a group setting.
“The tutor feature on Brisk has brought a new level of engagement to writing instruction,” says Collins. “Students of all levels benefit from having an accessible, one-on-one writing assistant at their fingertips. A highlight this year was watching my senior students ‘chat’ with Chaucer about the inspiration behind The Canterbury Tales. It turned a historical figure into a relatable guide and made literary analysis far more interactive and fun.”
Text Leveling, Translation, and More
Beyond the English Language Arts classroom, math teachers began using the image upload feature for problem-solving. Educators working with English Language Learners embraced Brisk’s ability to translate over 50 languages. Intervention teams used text leveling to make content more accessible for students at different reading levels. Brisk’s versatility allowed teachers across all disciplines to adapt the tool to their classrooms and meet the unique needs of their students.
“Brisk has been an incredible tool I use to extend the students' understanding,” said Mitchell Berg, 4th grade science and social studies teacher. “It allows me to differentiate based on every student's needs, and kids are incredibly engaged while using the Brisk features. They constantly ask for more experiences using Brisk.”
Kori Tyler, a middle school English Language Arts teacher, shares a similar experience. "Brisk has been a game-changer in my classroom. It saves me time by quickly generating standards-aligned questions and activities, and it helps differentiate instruction with ease. My students stay engaged, and I can focus more on teaching rather than prepping. It’s an incredibly useful tool for any ELA teacher!"
Meeting Goals Today and in the Future
Today, Barbers Hill ISD continues to explore new ways to maximize Brisk’s potential, always with an eye on their ultimate goal: providing the best possible education for their students.
What began with a few curious teachers quickly became a district-wide shift – proof that with the right tool and support, even skeptics can become champions. Whether it's creating differentiated materials, automating prep work, or connecting students with content in new ways, Brisk continues to be a cornerstone of the district’s long-term tech vision.
For other districts considering a similar journey, Barbers Hill offers this advice: start small, involve both teachers and administrators in the decision-making process, and don't be afraid to take a leap of faith. After all, as one Barbers Hill ISD administrator put it, "Sometimes you may not know what you or your students need until you take that first step."
