Mr. Jim Roche

Jim Roche has a Master's Degree in Organic Chemistry from Johns Hopkins University. After a successful career in environmental remediation and commercial real estate, Jim pursued a career in education. For the past 9 years, he has taught organic chemistry and environmental sustainability classes at the Trevor Day School in Manhattan.

Many educators see AI is an impediment to teaching critical thinking. However, Jim teaches his students how to ethically and effectively use AI to support critical thinking and boost creativity. Jim pioneers a philosophy called Generative Thinking, which flips the script and makes the student the generative agent. AI’s first answer is not the final word, but the beginning of deeper investigation.

One key to Generative Thinking is age-appropriate scaffolding. At an early age students need to learn to ask thoughtful AI queries and to view AI as a conversation buddy, not an answer machine. As they mature, they are given increasingly challenging AI assignments, which in Trevor’s case will culminate in a senior year GEO AI assignment.

Jim Roche is available for consultation with other teachers and schools on how to incorporate Generative Thinking into their curriculum.