Google Gemini for School Psychologists: Unlocking AI’s Real Power
As I’ve been invited to provide more professional development for school districts that are Google campuses, I’ve noticed a common trend: school psychologists are using Gemini—but often only scratching the surface. That’s why I put together this blog post, along with a downloadable set of Gemini-specific practice activities, to help you go from casual use to transformative integration.
This post focuses exclusively on Google—not OpenAI or Anthropic—and how school psychologists can use its Gems, Canvas Mode, and NotebookLM to save time, organize workflows, and improve outcomes.
What Are Google Gems?
Gems are personalized AI assistants built inside the Gemini platform. Think of them as custom-configured chatbots that remember your job, your tone, your tools, and your files.
Why This Matters for School Psychologists
No more “new chat” resets—your Gem keeps context.
Upload once: Policies, templates, and documents are always accessible.
Give it a brain: Tell the AI what each file means (e.g., “This is a sample 504 plan I use in middle school evaluations.”)
Write how you write: Customize tone and voice to match your professional standards.
How to Set Up Your Gem
Create custom instructions
Define how you want Gemini to think: your tone, professional norms, preferred terminology, etc.Upload your files
Think: IEP templates, intervention protocols, district policies, sample reports, anonymized case studies.Annotate your files
Tell Gemini what each file is for (e.g., “This contains CBM benchmarks for Tier 2 interventions.”)Use consistently
Always return to your Gem—don’t click “new chat” unless you’re intentionally starting over.
Watch It “Think”: Transparency in Reasoning
One of Gemini’s most powerful features is its “Chain of Thought” view. You can see how it arrives at an answer, spot errors in its assumptions, and refine your own prompts. This feedback loop makes you a better prompter and helps clean up your data along the way.
Gemini can also diagnose data quality issues, such as identifying mismatched columns in a spreadsheet or inconsistent terminology in your uploaded files.
Why Gemini Is Worth It
Saves Time
No need to re-upload, re-explain, or reinvent your workflow each time you chat.Boosts Quality
With full context, Gemini writes better—whether you’re drafting a report, summarizing data, or responding to a parent.Personalized to You
It learns your tone, your processes, your students, and your tools.A True Thought Partner
Use Gemini to brainstorm SEL activities, reflect on ethical dilemmas, plan MTSS tier transitions, or co-develop behavior plans.
Other Google AI Tools: NotebookLM and Canvas Mode
NotebookLM
A research assistant built for depth.
Upload many files: PDFs, docs, transcripts.
Ask natural-language questions about them.
Useful for literature reviews, program planning, or preparing professional development.
Note: Gemini still outperforms it for drafting and generative writing, but NotebookLM excels at document organization and deep reference.
Canvas Mode
Gemini includes a Canvas Mode that allows users to:
Create visual workflows, interactive websites, or data dashboards.
Embed an AI assistant into the content you create, such as a self-guided SEL resource with a built-in chatbot.
These features are valuable for school psychologists seeking to create interactive content for staff, families, or students.
Ready to Practice?
I created a downloadable activity sheet with Gemini-specific use cases for school psychologists. It includes:
Realistic prompts
Scenarios to practice
Tips for extension and reflection
Download here:
Gemini Practice Activities for School Psychologists
Important Disclaimers
The following activities are for educational and illustrative purposes only. When using AI tools in your professional practice, you must adhere to all federal, state, and district policies regarding student data privacy, including FERPA and (possibly) HIPAA.
Always use de-identified data when practicing with these tools unless you are operating within your district's secure, enterprise-level environment that has been approved for handling Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
Cautions When Using AI
Misinformation: AI can generate incorrect or misleading information (“hallucinations”). Always verify outputs with trusted sources.
Overreliance on AI: Generative AI should not replace your professional judgment or decision-making. Use it to augment your skills—not as a substitute.
Skill Degradation: Using AI extensively for tasks like report writing or communication may reduce your own fluency over time. Continue practicing your core skills regularly.