When it comes to artificial intelligence, thoughtful leadership at the district, school, and classroom levels is more important than ever. How schools evaluate and respond to the proliferation of AI will hinge largely on the knowledge and dispositions of district leaders, principals, and teachers.
Join us to:
鈥� Explore what role AI technology should play in education
鈥� Develop a better understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of AI
鈥� Learn how to leverage AI to improve teaching and learning and the management of schools
We鈥檒l unpack some of the big questions around the use of AI in K-12 education, such as:鈥� What disciplinary measures should schools take when students use AI tools to bully other students, cheat on tests or school assignments, or create 鈥渄eepfake鈥� videos that harm the reputations of educators and students? And what should PD for teachers on the use of AI in instruction, assessment, and administrative tasks look like?鈥�
First time K-12 Essentials Forum attendee? Learn more about our free virtual forums.
Agenda
2:00pm ET
Welcome & Introduction
We鈥檒l highlight key insights from recent reporting on AI in education.
Kevin Bushweller oversees coverage of educational technology and learning environments for 91直播.
2:10pm ET
Interactive Session: How Are Your Schools Addressing Big AI Challenges?鈥�
In this interactive session, we鈥檒l review exclusive survey results from teachers, principals, and district leaders about big questions related to AI use in schools.鈥疶he audience will answer a series of questions about how their schools are addressing these challenges.鈥���
Arianna Prothero covers technology, student well-being, and the intersection of the two for 91直播.
2:20pm ET
Industry Perspective: The Curious World of Generative AI: A Successful School System Approach
Sponsor content provided by Solution Tree
Generative AI is an emerging technology that comes with possibilities and risks. This session will focus on the approach that over 200 districts in North America are taking to ensure a safe and secure rollout that encourages curiosity, creativity, and innovation.
Generative AI is an emerging technology that comes with possibilities and risks. This session will focus on the approach that over 200 districts in North America are taking to ensure a safe and secure rollout that encourages curiosity, creativity, and innovation.
Adam Garry
President,
StrategicEDU Consulting
With two decades of expertise in consulting, Adam guides educational institutions on their journey toward digital and student-centered learning transformations. He recently led Dell Technologies鈥� education innovation and strategy for 14 years and has been a speaker at prominent conferences around the world. He is currently supporting school districts and companies across the U.S. and Canada with Generative AI initiatives. Additionally, he has co-written two books: 鈥淭eaching the iGeneration鈥� and 鈥淧ersonalized Learning Through Voice and Choice.鈥� A former elementary teacher, Adam possesses a Bachelor鈥檚 degree in Elementary Education, a Master鈥檚 in Teaching and Learning with a focus on Technology, and a Certificate in Administration and Supervision.
2:30pm ET
Panel Discussion: How Schools Are Handling AI-Driven Misbehavior鈥�
Over the past year, some schools have begun tweaking their student codes of conduct and disciplinary policies to include AI-driven misbehavior such as the creation of fake videos (also known as 鈥渄eepfakes鈥�) and the use of ChatGPT, SnapAI, Microsoft Co-Pilot, Google鈥檚 Gemini, and other tools to cheat on tests or school assignments. This session will examine how schools are handling these challenges, what types of punishments they are putting in place for students who engage in this behavior, and how they are encouraging more positive uses of AI tools.鈥�
Dr. Michael Martin
9-12 Principal,
Buckeye Central Local Schools
Dr. Michael D. Martin, a dedicated education professional, holds a Doctorate in Educational 91直播 from Ashland University (2013) and a Superintendent鈥檚 Certificate. With a Master鈥檚 in Business Administration from Tiffin University and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Heidelberg College, his academic background is extensive.
Dr. Michael Rubin
Principal,
Uxbridge High School
Now in his tenth year as Principal of Uxbridge High School, Dr. Michael Rubin has established himself as a pioneering leader in educational innovation, having led UHS to designation as one of Massachusetts鈥� first Innovation Pathway schools and recognition as one of the top five schools nationally for 鈥淚nnovation Impact鈥� at the 2024 ASU/GSV showcase. Named the 2020 Massachusetts High School Principal of the Year and recipient of the 2024 MassCUE Administrator award, Dr. Rubin serves as the Massachusetts State Coordinator for the National Association of Secondary School Principals and chairs the Blackstone Valley Ed Hub Board of Advisors. Under his leadership, UHS has become the only comprehensive high school in Massachusetts to achieve Project Lead the Way distinction for five consecutive years, while drawing visits from more than 80 schools nationwide to study its innovative practices. Dr. Rubin holds degrees from Brown University, Bridgewater State University, and the University of the Cumberlands, along with a certificate in leading effective change from Harvard University鈥檚 Graduate School of Business.
Amelia Vance
President,
Public Interest Privacy Center
Amelia Vance, a child and student privacy expert, is the Founder and President of the Public Interest Privacy Center (PIPC), a nonprofit organization that aims to equip stakeholders with the insights, training, and tools needed to cultivate effective, ethical, and equitable privacy safeguards for all children and students. Amelia also teaches privacy law and EU data protection at William & Mary Law School and is a founder and co-chair of the Federal Education Privacy Coalition. She has authored multiple resources on student and child privacy.
3:15pm ET
Panel Discussion: What Teacher PD About AI Should Look Like鈥�
Most districts have yet to provide professional development around the use of artificial intelligence. This is largely because the technology is evolving so quickly that it鈥檚 hard to keep up. And since many leaders don鈥檛 really understand it themselves, it鈥檚 difficult to facilitate widespread, effective training. Experts in the field say that providing some level of guidance and training about AI is better than nothing at all. It鈥檚 also training that many educators want and are looking for. In this panel, educators will discuss ways they have incorporated AI training for teachers into their schedules.鈥�
Lauraine Langreo is an 91直播 staff writer, covering education technology and learning environments.
Mary Catherine Reljac
Superintendent,
Fox Chapel Area School District, PA
Mary Catherine Reljac serves as Superintendent for the Fox Chapel Area School District in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Prior to this role, Dr. Reljac served as an assistant superintendent, principal, assistant principal, and educator in multiple districts in western Pennsylvania. Dr. Reljac earned degrees or certifications from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Carlow College, California University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Pittsburgh. She is a member of AASA, PASA, ASCD, Leading Now, the Network of Distinguished Educators, and serves on multiple advisory groups. The Fox Chapel Area School District is a member of Digital Promise鈥檚 League of Innovative Schools.
Dyane Smokorowski
Coordinator of Digital Literacy,
Wichita Public Schools, KS
Dyane Smokorowski is an accomplished educator, having been inducted into the National Teacher Hall of Fame in 2019 and named 2013 Kansas Teacher of the Year. As Coordinator of Digital Literacy in the Wichita Public Schools, she fosters a student-centered classroom that builds skills in communication, planning, research, and project implementation. Mrs. Smoke also creates engaging professional development opportunities for teachers. She believes in instilling a love for innovation, communication, and technology to help students and educators thrive in the global community. Mrs. Smoke鈥檚 guidance inspires students and teachers to reach their full potential and make a positive impact on the world.
3:45pm ET
How Schools Are Preparing Educators to Handle AI Challenges鈥�
In this interactive session, the audience will be asked to respond to a series of questions related to how their school systems are preparing teachers, principals, and district leaders to handle the growing use of AI in society and in K-12 education.鈥� Are schools providing formal professional development about AI?鈥� Are teachers mostly learning it on their own, experimenting with new tools and sharing their experiences with colleagues?鈥� What PD models for AI use in education are emerging?鈥�疛oin us to find out.
Arianna Prothero covers technology, student well-being, and the intersection of the two for 91直播.
3:55pm ET
Closing Thoughts
Hear the big takeaways from this forum.
Kevin Bushweller oversees coverage of educational technology and learning environments for 91直播.