Educational presentation exploring the impact of artificial intelligence on teaching methods and identifying what pedagogical elements remain essential in the AI era.

Early childhood educators have a passion for working with young children, yet retention remains a major challenge. As states prioritize scaling early learning, the workforce faces burnout, low pay, and limited career growth. This panel explores new data on workforce wellbeing, key policy tensions, and how AI and innovation might play a role in sustaining and supporting the educators who power our nation's future.

Millions of teachers are experimenting with AI tools, discovering new ways to save time, avoid burnout and enhance student learning. A former educator who has created the most-used AI platform in schools will share unfiltered insights on what's working and what's not and how to prepare students for an AI future responsibly. Learn actionable strategies to harness AI in the classroom effectively, while always keeping educators at the center - because 'teachers are magic,' not the AI.

AI tools are improving quickly, and educators are already finding meaningful uses for them. What hasn't been defined yet is the school model that makes AI work for students and teachers in a coherent, reliable way at scale. This session examines what early adopters of AI in public education are learning in real classrooms and school systems, the concrete design choices and conditions behind early success, and the operational, instructional, and governance questions that must be resolved over the next five years for AI to strengthen public education rather than fragment it. Presented by City Fund.

Exploring the balance between artificial intelligence integration and maintaining human connections in educational settings.

With each passing year, technology innovation in school systems becomes more and more critical. The reality is that without strong leadership from a district superintendent, continued success with technology for both teaching and learning as well as managing a school district is highly unlikely. In this panel presentation four highly innovative superintendents will share the history behind the success of each of their school districts when it comes to technology innovation as well as current challenges and solutions they are implementing. A discussion on how each superintendent is leading the use of artificial intelligence resources in their district will also be covered. Participants will be invited to share the effective strategies they are using to lead technology innovation in their school districts and may also pose questions to the panel.

Week 1 institutes include: AI in K-5 Math Teaching (Novice to Intermediate), AI in K-5 Math Teaching (Intermediate to Advanced), Process-Oriented Guided-Inquiry Learning (POGIL) in 9-12 Math, Teaching K-8 Math with Manipulatives, and Teacher Survival, Growth, and Wellness (K-12). Each institute provides up to 3 continuing education credits (CEUs). Registration opens January 2026.

Week 2 institutes include: AI in 6-12 Math Teaching (Novice to Intermediate), AI in 6-12 Math Teaching (Intermediate to Advanced), Building Thinking Classrooms in K-5 Math, Current and Future Courses and Standards in 9-12 Math, and Teaching K-12 Math with Emergent Multilingual Learners. Each institute provides up to 3 continuing education credits (CEUs). Registration opens January 2026.

Week 3 institutes include: AI as a Cognitive Partner: Individualizing AI Investigations (K-12), Building Thinking Classrooms in 6-12 Math, Catching Kids Up in K-12 Math, Games, Curiosities, and Anomalies (K-8), and Teaching K-12 Math with Exceptional Students. Each institute provides up to 3 continuing education credits (CEUs). Graduate credit available for enrolled App State graduate students. Registration opens January 2026.