My Teacher is Accusing Me of Using AI
I’ll try to keep this brief. I’m a 16-year-old high school student, and recently my History teacher claimed that two of my essays were 50% and 67% AI-generated, marking them both as zeros and bringing my grade down to an F. Just to clarify, I did not use AI for these essays. I researched both topics extensively beyond the assigned materials to ensure I had accurate information, which is something I typically do. I tend to use advanced vocabulary because I read a lot and often look up synonyms to avoid repetition.
I genuinely thought my teacher would trust my work, as I’ve submitted several essays in a similar style this year. However, I’m at a loss for how to prove that I didn’t use AI. When I checked the version history, both essays showed I wrote them in one sitting, with only minor edits made afterward. I struggle with anxiety, and this situation has me really stressed out because I have no idea how to clear my name.
Additionally, I’m not sure if it’s relevant, but this teacher and I have had some tension before; last year he accused me of being racist in front of the entire cafeteria because I was reading Gone With the Wind. He seemed fine this year, but I still can’t shake the uncertainty about how he feels about me. I really need advice on how to handle this, and quickly!
Update: I finally decided to confront my fears and went to his classroom during passing period to discuss the issue. To my relief, the conversation went much better than I anticipated. He was understanding and said that if I could assure him I didn’t use AI, he would change both essays back to 100 points. I suspect he may have had similar discussions with students before, which doesn’t excuse the accusations, but I’m just thankful we resolved it without involving administration.
I’m really glad to hear that you were able to talk to your teacher and resolve the situation! It takes a lot of courage to confront someone about an accusation like that, especially when you’re dealing with anxiety. It sounds like you handled it really maturely, and it’s great that your teacher was open to hearing your side. It’s frustrating that he accused you of using AI in the first place, especially considering your track record, but it’s good to know that he’s willing to reconsider your grades. Keep doing your research and writing the way you do—your hard work will pay off, and don’t hesitate to speak up if something doesn’t feel right in the future. You’ve got this!