Voices and Faces of the Teachers at the Scuola del Noi

A professional community isn’t just about staying up to date; it’s about finding a sense of belonging. It’s about discovering that the questions, struggles, and insights that shape a teacher’s daily life aren’t isolated experiences, but can become a shared heritage.

This is the perspective of Gaetano Manzulli, the subject of the new interview in the column “Voices and Faces of the Teachers of the Scuola del Noi”, a space created within the teachers’ community to share real-world practices, doubts, experiments, and visions for schools. The community of practice I docenti della scuola del noi brings together teachers of all levels committed to innovating teaching in a digital, inclusive, and transformative way, sharing resources and approaches openly.

His responses strongly highlight a need shared by many teachers: to break free from the condition of being an “isolated entity” within the school system and expand their sphere of influence through collaboration with colleagues driven by the same goals. The community thus becomes a collaborative laboratory where classroom experiences can be refined, adapted, and made available to others.

Artificial intelligence is also at the center of this reflection, viewed not as a shortcut or mere operational tool, but as a decisive educational step. For Gaetano, the responsibility of teachers today is to guide students and families into a new phase of digital literacy: learning how to learn, mastering AI with a critical eye, and building a school that is more collaborative, inclusive, and attuned to the educational needs of each individual.

As in previous interviews, this one highlights the value of the community as a space for collective intelligence: not just another commitment to add to the school’s already limited time, but an investment that brings awareness, productivity, and quality back to professional life.

What professional or personal need prompted you to join the community of teachers at the Scuola del Noi?

I have always believed that a community of motivated teachers driven by a shared interest in specific content—who can interact and exchange ideas with one another—could be a valuable tool for creating innovative, shared initiatives for the entire school community.

How has participating in the community changed the way you view your role as a teacher?

Typically, a teacher is always somewhat of an “isolated entity” within the school system and, in any case, very tied to the specific context of the school where they work. The community offers an opportunity to break down these boundaries and expand one’s sphere of influence.

What do you think is the most important goal of the Scuola del Noi?

The main goal is to share content and experiments, exchanging ideas with colleagues and drawing inspiration from others’ initiatives, in order to create a solid foundation of experiences to make available to anyone who wants to join the community.

How does the project help you prepare your students for the present, not just the future?

The experiences gained through the project are immediately applicable in relevant classrooms, as they stem from proposals implemented in the field, with students already engaged with the proposed content. Furthermore, broadening the scope of educational objectives can lead to new ideas and new ways to engage students with the educational approach.

Have you modified a teaching practice thanks to the community?

I’ve been able to refine my “prompting” to get more targeted and satisfying responses from AI, and in turn, I’ve passed on the techniques I’ve learned to my students.

How important is it to be able to share doubts and experiments with other teachers?

It’s extremely important; that’s the true meaning of the community, because dialogue and discussion always lead to confirmation or, at the very least, insights that improve a teacher’s work overall.

Do you feel better prepared to tackle complex topics like AI, digital technology, and citizenship?

Absolutely. Even though I’m fairly experienced in the subject, as I mentioned, it’s always good to exchange ideas with those who share your experiences, because you can always enrich your own knowledge, experiences, and critical observations.

What kind of school do you want to help build?

I would like a more collaborative school, where educational approaches stem from students’ learning needs, where inclusion is realized for every student who has their own specific learning needs and their own cognitive and learning styles, and where the gap between the world of work (and the world in general) and the world of education is increasingly narrow.

What responsibilities do you feel today as a teacher in the age of AI?

As a teacher, I am extremely motivated because I sense the signs of an epochal shift (just as we did with the advent of the Internet). I believe that, in light of emerging technologies, our responsibility—as teachers and as parents—is to educate our students and our children for a world where digital skills are undergoing a second phase of evolution and will become fundamental in the near future (if they aren’t already). This is why we need to shift from the traditional educational paradigm to a new one that teaches students first and foremost how to learn to learn, and then how to master AI with awareness and critical thinking.

If the Scuola del Noi didn’t exist, what would be missing from your journey?

What would be missing is that moment when you realize you’re not alone and that you share not only your doubts but also your certainties with so many others. You would miss out on the collaboration of those motivated to achieve the same goals as you and who, like you, realize that unity is strength.

What would you say to a teacher who thinks they “don’t have time” to join a community?

I would say that time has always been a tyrant, and consequently, we have always been its slaves. But it is both appropriate and necessary to pause (despite the time constraints) and reflect, because now is the time to do so; otherwise, you risk missing a train that’s already on its way. I believe that dedicating part of your precious time to the community is a true investment, because the return in terms of productivity, awareness, and preparation more than justifies this commitment.