Tech Leadership Conference in New England Discusses AI, Employee Absence, Cyber Safety, and Other Topics in the Tech Industry
Tech & Learning Regional Leadership Summit Emphasizes AI in Education
The Tech & Learning Regional Leadership Summit, held recently at The Connors Center in Dover, Massachusetts, brought together educators from across the nation for a day of collaboration and brainstorming uncommon solutions to common challenges. The event had a concentrated focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI), with roundtable discussions covering topics such as AI Media and Literacy, Personalized Learning Coaching, Creating a Personal Wellness Plan, Integrating Technology into the MTSS Structure, PD In the Age of AI, Addressing Chronic Absenteeism, Data Privacy and Cybersecurity.
Attendees were divided into groups of two and participated in a brief activity to create a game. Dan Ryder, Director of Design and Innovation for Community Regional Charter School, presented a game-based and human-centered problem-solving model. The process involves constantly gauging the opinions of all participants to know the direction to take with AI.
Tech & Learning recognized innovative leaders in attendance with awards. Russell Levendusky was honoured as the Innovative District Instructional Tech Specialist, Dan Ryder as the Innovative Director of Design and Innovation, Kerry Gallagher as the Innovative Assistant Principal, and Jacqueline Gardy received the Best Example of Virtual Learning award.
Kerry Gallagher and Kelley Papa discussed a comprehensive plan to integrate artificial intelligence in St. John's Prep district. The plan aims to foster an accepting culture among students, teachers, and parents. Some groups at the summit used AI tools to create unique songs and artworks to emphasize the benefits of AI in education.
Michael Hale, Director of College, Career, and Citizenship at Casco Bay High School in Portland, ME, led a conversation about chronic absenteeism. He discussed a multi-tiered support system designed to help and incentivize regular attendance in his district.
The summit also provided an opportunity for attendees to get an advanced look at cutting-edge technology companies.
Some key strategies and best practices for integrating artificial intelligence (AI) in K-12 education, as highlighted at the summit, include:
- Teacher Training and Professional Development: Equipping teachers with meaningful AI skills through trainings that go beyond tool functionality to include pedagogy, ethics, and AI literacy.
- Clear and Comprehensive AI Policies: Developing school and district policies that define acceptable AI use, address academic integrity, student safety, privacy compliance (FERPA, COPPA), and set guardrails against bias and inequity.
- Strategic, District-Wide Planning: Moving beyond individual lesson plans to a system-level mindset involving administrators, teachers, operational leaders, and communities to create sustainable AI pathways, infrastructure, and equity in access.
- Balancing Efficiency with Quality: Using AI to automate low-value tasks and personalize instruction while preserving teacher judgment and focusing on higher-order learning and relationships. AI should serve as a co-pilot to enhance teacher capacity, reclaiming their time for meaningful student interaction.
- Equity and Access: Ensuring AI tools and training are equitably available across diverse schools to avoid widening achievement gaps, which requires thoughtful policy and infrastructure planning.
- Keeping Pace with Policy and Innovation: Staying informed and adaptable as federal and state policies evolve rapidly to reduce regulatory barriers, accelerate AI adoption, and increase investment in AI research and education, while maintaining focus on student welfare.
These combined best practices create a balanced framework for K-12 educators and leaders to harness AI responsibly and effectively, fostering personalized learning and preparing students with critical skills for the future economy. Attendees were also given the opportunity to come up with an action plan for the next school year.
The Tech & Learning Regional Leadership Summits provide a valuable opportunity for collaboration with passionate educators from across the nation, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning in K-12 education.
