Mind the Gap....
How AI, Data, and Technology Can Close the Gap
In my last letter, I spoke about “The Missing Middle” — the space between top-down education policy and bottom-line student outcomes, where teachers and school leaders work daily to turn intentions into impact.
Today, I want to explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI), data, and educational technology can help us bridge this gap, strengthen teacher development, and build a culture of evidence-based practice.
Where AI, Data, and Tech Meet the Missing Middle
In many schools, the “missing middle” exists because:
Teachers lack ongoing feedback.
School leaders make decisions without real-time classroom data.
There are no tools to track instructional improvement meaningfully.
But with the right technology, this changes.
Here are 3 Ways AI, Data & Tech Are Closing the Gap
1. Real-Time, Data-Informed Teaching and Coaching
With the rise of AI-driven learning platforms, teachers now receive:
Instant analytics on student understanding
Feedback loops on what’s working in their instruction
Insights to personalize learning pathways
Meanwhile, school leaders can monitor trends — not to micromanage, but to support and coach effectively.
What gets measured gets improved. What gets understood gets transformed.
2. Instructional Coaching with Smart Tools
AI-powered coaching tools can:
Analyze teacher talk time vs student engagement
Offer reflection prompts post-lesson
Recommend micro-strategies based on classroom audio or video input
This amplifies the work of middle leaders, allowing them to coach smarter, not just harder.
3. Professional Development that’s Personalized and Scalable
Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all training.
Tech now enables:
Self-paced learning paths for teachers based on classroom needs
AI-curated content aligned with the school’s curriculum and vision
Collaborative learning through digital PLCs and global educator communities
This moves teacher development from event-based to embedded, addressing the heart of the missing middle.
Reimagining Leadership with Tech
School leaders can now:
Track school-wide instructional data visually
Use dashboards to see how innovations are working in real time
Encourage teacher-led inquiry through access to digital evidence
Technology doesn’t replace leadership — it amplifies insight, enables responsiveness, and scales what works.
Caution and Courage
Of course, AI is not a silver bullet.
We must ask:
Are we using data to empower or police teachers?
Are we training leaders and teachers to interpret and act on data wisely?
Are we closing digital divides so all schools can benefit?
Tech can bridge the gap — but only if we build human-centered systems around it.
Final Thought
The tools are here. But closing the missing middle will take:
Bold leadership
Purposeful integration of technology
And a commitment to use data not as a scorecard, but as a mirror for growth.
Let’s build schools where teacher voice is amplified, classroom practice is visible, and growth is trackable — and celebrated.
Warmly,
Dr. Abimbola Ogundere
CEO, Kids’ Court School & Court Hill College
Founder, Learning As I Teach Foundation Africa