AI Super Summit Agenda: Phoenix

  Location: Mohave/Kiva

What does it take to lead AI integration that enhances deeper learning?

This session explores that essential leadership question through the lens of the AI Strategy Tool for K–12 School District Leaders, a new reflective, action-oriented resource designed by and for system leaders. Developed by the EdLeader AI Innovation Group, the toolkit supports strategic decision-making grounded in Portrait of a Graduate outcomes.

Participants will hear from the district leaders who co-created the toolkit as they share authentic stories of what their systems are trying, learning, and continuing to explore — whether piloting AI tools for instructional design, developing responsible use policies, or preparing educators to use AI with intention. Drawing on these district experiences, the session will illustrate how AI planning can serve as a catalyst for deeper learning, not a diversion. The toolkit itself is structured to help systems move from vision to practice to impact, offering protocols, reflective questions, and field-tested resources across six focus areas — from vision-setting and community engagement to instructional design, assessment, operations, and policy.

  Location: Paloma/Hacienda I

This session will walk participants through interactive activities that will help to jumpstart their work with AI in K-12 classrooms.

From creating district guidelines for acceptable use to the implementation of the traffic light model to piloting various AI tools to enhance teaching and learning. Our team of leaders has experienced a long list of “Do’s and Don’ts” to share with our audience. We will identify challenges experienced along the way and how we overcame them. We will share a repository of ready to use resources such as:

• Curated AI literacy lessons to use with students at all grade levels
• AI Guidelines Handbook & Policy Language
• Classroom use - ideas, examples, scenarios and guidance
• Professional Development Materials to use with staff
• List of AI tools piloted with real feedback from teachers
• DIY materials on creating Closed Chats and Customized Bots
• Ai Lucyd Smart Glasses Demo & TeachFx Demo

Our team of district leaders will share unique perspectives from 4 different districts in 4 different counties nestled in Western Pennsylvania. Part of our story will be encouraging others to create a supportive AI ecosystem with regional leaders from various districts to help support one another.

  Location: Paloma/Hacienda II

The conversation around AI in education has matured from establishing AI policies and principles to moving into the critical phase of real-world deployment. The key questions have shifted from "What should our policy be?" to "How do we scale effectively, measure impact, and empower our educators and students with the right AI tools?" 

Learn from your peers on their deployment tips and concrete examples of what to do and not do when rolling out AI.  Also see new AI tools from Google in action, including new features and real-world applications of NotebookLM, named one of 2024’s best inventions by Time Magazine.

  Location: Paloma/Hacienda III

In Elma, we’re not using AI to replace instruction—we’re using it to rebuild the structure of school. This session explores how Elma School District is leveraging artificial intelligence to power competency-based learning, align with regional workforce needs, and formalize youth apprenticeship as a core pathway to graduation.

We’ll share the tools and lessons from our journey, including how we use AI to:

• Map employer-defined skills to academic standards and course content
• Identify gaps and overlaps in student readiness across sectors
• Co-develop shared rubrics with industry partners
• Track student progress in a real-time, verifiable “readiness ledger”
  

This session isn’t about theory. It’s about how a small district is experimenting boldly, failing fast, and building forward. We’ll invite attendees to reflect on their own community partnerships—and explore how AI can help them transform vision into verified, cross-sector delivery.

  Location: Mohave/Kiva

Join Desert Sands Unified School District (DSUSD) leaders to explore our comprehensive, human-centered approach to AI integration. This session will detail how DSUSD has addressed the challenges and embraced the opportunities of AI to transform teaching, learning, and operations.

We will share how AI serves as a "teammate" to enhance human potential. Our journey has illuminated some lessons learned and emphasized the importance of a thoughtful, iterative approach to guide AI's rapid evolution.

Discover how DSUSD has proactively implemented a robust guidance document, staff toolkit, and blueprint for other districts to follow. We'll highlight our "RISE" framework (Respect, Integrity, Support, Empathy) guiding principles, demonstrating how we engage our community, and navigate complex issues that accompany AI integration. This session offers actionable insights for districts ready to "Step Into Your Future Today" with AI.

  Location: Paloma/Hacienda I

Discover groundbreaking strategies in Innovate & Elevate: Transforming Education with AI and Collaborative Leadership, a visionary presentation led by Superintendent Amy Alzina, Ed.D., alongside Christian Jackson from EDAPT Schools AI.

This inspiring session explores innovative leadership with a strong emphasis on AI’s transformative potential. Together, they guide you through student empowerment, community collaboration, and inclusive practices, providing actionable insights tailored for superintendents. Highlighting administrative productivity tools and teacher empowerment, this presentation offers a clear roadmap to educational excellence, promising a lasting impact on your district’s future.

  Location: Paloma/Hacienda II

While many districts have responded to the rise of AI with restrictive oversight, Lake Forest School Districts 67 and 115 are taking a different path—one defined by empowerment, shared leadership, and trust. Grounded in the community-created Portrait of a Learner and driven by a cross-functional Technology Work Group that includes parents and staff, Lake Forest is experimenting boldly while remaining anchored to its core values.

Superintendent Dr. Matthew Montgomery and Chief Technology Officer Jordan Salus will share how their Technology Work Group, community book clubs, and a speaker series have created open, thoughtful pathways to integrate AI responsibly. Rather than imposing top-down mandates, Lake Forest supports educators with tools and guidance while trusting their professional judgment.

This session will highlight how shared leadership has accelerated innovation while fostering community trust, and why that approach is critical for navigating not only AI but any future disruption.

Participants will engage in discussion, reflect on shared challenges, and leave with practical strategies for building a culture where change is community-powered, not compliance-driven.

  Location: Paloma/Hacienda III

We believe every student deserves to be seen, supported, and given the chance to succeed not just in one subject but across the full spectrum of their learning journey. Educators share this belief, yet too often lack the tools to provide personalized support at scale.

This session will be focused around:

1. Discussions on the challenges being faced by districts today with specific regard to math proficiency, attendance, MTSS, intervention, and AI.
2. How districts have leveraged AI & other successful strategies to improve these areas at scale.
3. Share & discuss case studies from districts around the nation.
4. Discussion on AI use in school districts.

We are focused on discussing the balance of a world where technology amplifies the human side of education, ensuring that every student has the support they need to succeed and every educator has the tools to make a lasting impact with greater ease and confidence.

  Location: Mohave/Kiva

Join Peninsula School District as they share experiences from four years of AI implementation. This session covers the positives, the negatives, and what to watch out for as your district moves beyond initial adoption. Learn how plans evolve based on advancing technology, funding challenges, resistance to change, and organizational analysis.

The Peninsula team will also share their work over the past 10 months developing custom AI solutions specifically targeted to their instructional goals and operational strategies—solutions that address real problems in their district. Get practical insights into what happens after year one, including lessons learned and strategies for planning your district's next steps in AI implementation.

  Location: Paloma/Hacienda I

Tackling problems of practice as a superintendent is not a new challenge; however, as we look at expanding AI adoption across schools and districts, the shifts and changes required are unique. Join this session as we explore perspectives and approaches to common problems of practice when implementing AI from the Superintendent lens.

  Location: Paloma/Hacienda II

In an era where educational leaders are constantly navigating brand new technological challenges, noise often overcrowds the unprecedented opportunities to enhance decision-making and streamline administrative processes. Christian, CEO of Edapt Schools, will reveal actionable strategies for leveraging AI to optimize workflows and empower educational leaders. By focusing on practical applications and avoiding the pitfalls of overhyped tech trends, attendees will leave with a clear roadmap to harness AI effectively – turning it into a tool that hones their organization's specialties. Discover how to lead with clarity amongst all of the tech noise and a forward-thinking mindset that prepares your district for the future.

  Location: Paloma/Hacienda III

Superintendents are under increasing pressure to harness the potential of Generative AI without putting their districts at unnecessary risk. This highly interactive session reframes the AI conversation around operational leadership, risk management, and solving real cross functional district-level challenges. Participants will reflect on the core question: “What problems are we facing—and how could Generative AI help solve them?”

Drawing from field-tested resources like the CoSN Generative AI Maturity Model guidance, national survey feedback, and real-world district strategies, this session invites leaders to explore how to lead boldly but wisely. Through facilitated peer exchanges, use case examinations, and interaction with customized GPTs to help gauge District AI readiness, attendees will leave with a clear sense of what it means to lead—not bleed—through AI integration.

  Location: Mohave/Kiva

This session dives into how AI is changing the role of district school communications through the lens of a 2025 survey of school communication professionals, as well as from the practical perspective of a communications director who is successfully integrating AI in many aspects of his work.

First, the session will explore new survey results from the National School Public Relations Association that will reveal the current trends in the AI landscape, including how school districts across the country are using AI tools along with AI-related policies, guidance and training efforts in schools. Attendees will get a clear picture of how school communicators are leveraging AI tools and how school leaders can support innovation while maintaining trust, ethics and quality communication.

Attendees will hear many practical aspects of using AI in a district communications program, which can result in effective communications strategies. For example, using very specific prompts (i.e., act as a reporter with hard-hitting questions) or customizing your own ChatGPT in your voice can save school leaders valuable time and result in better outcomes. Tips to communicate with parents about your district’s AI innovations, as well as student usage expectations, will also be covered.

  Location: Paloma/Hacienda I

Imagine if your district had a built-in system to constantly adapt, anticipate change, and confidently launch innovative solutions. This session shares Mason City Schools’ inspiring journey of creating a Futures Team—a dynamic, human-centered action research strategy designed to future-proof learning and foster AI-powered innovation.

In this highly engaging and interactive session, participants will explore the three core pillars of our Futures Team strategy:

• Futurecasting – Looking beyond the horizon and exploring emerging trends and bold possibilities that will lead to best-in-class practices.  
• Upskilling – Identifying core future-focused skills and mindsets to amplify across the organization through personalized learning pathways.
• iTeams – Innovative teams investigating and launching future-oriented opportunities and transformational solutions. 

Through these experiences and the practical lessons we’ve learned, you’ll leave this session inspired—and equipped with a futures playbook to help you start or scale your own AI and innovation initiatives. This playbook will offer clear first steps to successful implementation of a futures strategy in your school or district, helping you align your people, processes, and purpose to foster a future-ready culture.

  Location: Paloma/Hacienda II

With enrollment declining and the threat of school closures looming, Austin ISD faced the challenge of maintaining strong programs while making tough budget decisions. To respond, the district piloted a strategic approach to master scheduling, leveraging an AI-powered scheduling tool to ease administrative burden and gain clearer insight into staffing and resources. The pilot saved leaders significant time, increased student access to preferred courses, and equipped schools with new planning tools.

Building on that success, AISD expanded the AI-powered scheduling approach district-wide this year to strengthen schools’ academic programming and support long-term sustainability. In this session, district leaders will share lessons from the pilot, the path to scaling, and how smarter scheduling is creating stronger student experiences across Austin ISD.

  Location: Paloma/Hacienda III

In an era where technology rapidly evolves, superintendents are uniquely positioned to harness generative artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance educational leadership. This session offers a pragmatic exploration of how generative AI can be integrated into district leadership to streamline operations, foster innovation, and support ethical decision-making.

We will guide participants through:

• Strategic Applications: Discover how generative AI can optimize administrative tasks, from policy development to community engagement, freeing leaders to focus on strategic priorities.
• Leadership Development: Explore how AI tools can support professional growth for educators, promoting reflective practices and continuous improvement.
• Ethical Considerations: Engage in discussions about the responsible use of AI, addressing concerns around data privacy, equity, and the human touch in education.

Participants will leave with actionable insights and resources to begin or enhance their journey in integrating generative AI into their leadership practices, ensuring their districts are prepared for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.

  Location: Mohave/Kiva

As artificial Intelligence continues to reshape student learning and staff work, district leaders face the challenge of integrating these powerful tools responsibly and effectively. Join us for an engaging and interactive strategy session on scaling Generative AI in your school system. We will explore the impacts of Generative AI applications on policies, practices, data privacy, and change management as AI tools are used by students and staff.

Our journey includes creating authentic engagement opportunities involving students, staff, and families, building a responsible use guide to define appropriate use, adjusting policies and practices, standardizing applications, and providing staff development and training necessary for a consistent student and staff experience.

Whether you are just beginning or already well underway on your journey to scaling AI in your school system, this session will offer practical insights, lessons learned and scalable strategies to help you lead with confidence and clarity. Join us to explore how thoughtful leadership turns AI from a buzzword into a catalyst for transforming the learning for students and the work of staff.

  Location: Paloma/Hacienda I

What happens when a school district doesn’t just adopt AI—but uses it to heal, empower, and transform?

Superintendent Tricia Mooney and the Hermiston School District team share their journey in using AI—not as a replacement for human support, but as a compassionate extension of it. Partnering with the Cook Center for Human Connection, Hermiston has implemented therapist-guided, AI-powered tools to provide both students and staff with timely, confidential, and meaningful emotional support.

Facing the realities of student mental health needs and educator exhaustion, the district leaned into possibility, taking thoughtful steps to ensure AI became a bridge, not a barrier, to deeper care and connection.

This session will highlight:

• How AI is being used to create an additional layer of mental health support for students, offering 24/7, private, emotionally intelligent interactions
• How staff are gaining access to real-time coaching, stress management tools, and encouragement that helps them rediscover joy in teaching
• How the district engaged the community through tools that strengthened family connections and offered support to those who might not otherwise know how to access it
• Lessons learned around partnership, policy, and implementation that other districts can apply

Hermiston is turning AI from a buzzword into a bridge—for connection, resilience, and retention. This is more than a technology initiative; it’s a whole-system approach to well-being.

  Location: Paloma/Hacienda II

St. Cloud Area Schools is leading a statewide movement to integrate artificial intelligence in K–12 education through cross-sector collaboration.

This session will explore how one district convened legislators, higher education partners, business leaders, and K–12 educators to align AI innovation with student equity and readiness. The St. Cloud team will share key lessons from launching Minnesota’s first AI in Education Summit, which brought together over 300 attendees from across the state, and the district’s ongoing work with community and state leaders. Participants will learn how to engage their communities, support school boards, and implement thoughtful policies that address data privacy, academic integrity, and ethical use. Whether you’re just beginning to explore AI or already building systems around it, this session offers a replicable model for using AI not just as a tool, but as a shared opportunity for transformation.

  Location: Paloma/Hacienda III

School systems across the country are facing a historic inflection point. AI is reshaping how students learn, how teachers work, and how districts operate—yet leaders are still determining what responsible, equitable adoption looks like. This session will share what districts have tried, what they’ve learned, and what they are still actively exploring as they navigate the realities of the AI era.

Through three focused collaborative segments, district leaders will work through the most urgent challenges of operating in the Age of AI:

1. Equity and Access: Ensuring All Students Benefit, Not Just Those With Digital Privilege - School equity looks different in an AI-powered world. Districts will examine how to create universal access to AI tools, regardless of zip code, bandwidth, or background. We’ll discuss what districts have already attempted—from infrastructure upgrades to teacher training—and what they’re learning about giving every student a fair opportunity to leverage AI for learning, guidance, and support.

2. Data Ethics and Privacy: Protecting Student Data Within State and Federal Compliance (FERPA, COPPA) - Districts are discovering dramatic differences between consumer AI (like ChatGPT) and protected, school-safe AI systems. This segment will explore what leaders have put in place to safeguard student data, how policies are evolving, and how tools like Subject keep all student information within district-controlled environments. We’ll surface practical lessons learned as districts attempt to balance innovation with compliance and public trust.

3. Loss of Foundational Skills: Recall, Computation, and Writing: As AI becomes an always-on co-pilot, districts are rethinking what students truly need to know. The challenge isn’t just “digital literacy”—it’s defining the new foundational skill set: the ability to recognize errors, correct them, think critically, and articulate ideas even when AI is available. We’ll explore how districts are redesigning instruction to build these skills, what has worked, and what gaps remain—especially in history, civics, and writing, where students must still be able to think independently (e.g., explaining 1776 or the Bill of Rights).

Across the session, participants will engage in a warm-up discussion, three collaborative working groups, and a closing call to action. Leaders will contribute directly to shaping how AI should operate in their districts, inform how tools like Subject continue to evolve, and walk away with a clearer roadmap for navigating this next chapter in K–12 education.

  Location: Mohave/Kiva

  Location: Paloma/Hacienda I

Cajon Valley Union School District is no stranger to innovation, but when artificial intelligence entered the education landscape, we approached it with curiosity, humility, and an urgency to learn. After sending over 100 certificated and classified staff to the ASU+GSV AIR Show, we launched a districtwide effort to integrate AI in meaningful, sustainable ways across teaching, learning, and leadership.

This session will share two powerful experiments currently underway in CVUSD. First, A custom GPT for teachers, designed to support planning of Rich Learning Experiences—thematic, interdisciplinary units aligned to adopted curriculum and tailored to student interests. The GPT assists educators in developing scope and sequence, suggesting engaging entry points, and embedding structured reflection prompts that support vocational identity development. Initially built within ChatGPT, this tool is now being migrated into our LMS (eKadence) for seamless classroom integration. Second, A=a NotebookLM tool for school leaders, allows principals to use natural language to search board policies, administrative regulations, and strategic plans. This resource equips site leaders with just-in-time guidance for decision-making, freeing them from policy binders and enabling more responsive, informed leadership.

Attendees will hear candid reflections on what it’s like to build and iterate custom AI tools while balancing user feedback and technology constraints. The session will include a live walkthrough of our tools and practical steps for districts looking to empower educators and administrators with AI. Join us to explore how purpose-built AI solutions, grounded in real district needs, can help school systems work smarter, lead boldly, and stay grounded in what matters most: Happy Kids, Healthy Relationships, on a Path to Gainful Employment.

  Location: Paloma/Hacienda II

AI in education has moved beyond the buzz. It is now transforming how districts plan instruction, deliver interventions, empower teachers, and help inform instructional decisions. Yet for many, the challenge lies in scaling innovation into sustainable impact: how to implement responsibly, measure what matters, and preserve the human connection that is at the core of student learning

This AASA Super Summit session brings together a seasoned district leader and a K–12 AI innovator to explore what effective adoption can look like. Together, they will bridge the practical and the technical, sharing how AI can further extend tutoring and instructional support for students, lighten the administrative load for educators, and empower leaders to act on data with confidence.

Attendees will gain a clear understanding of how to move from AI’s potential to practical impact through strategic planning, responsible implementation, and collaboration with trusted partners — all anchored in improving teaching, learning, and operational efficiency

Key Takeaways:

AI as a Force Multiplier for Educators

See how technology can handle the repetitive and time-consuming tasks such as grading, scheduling, and reporting so teachers can spend more time teaching and connecting with students.

Personalization That Drives Real Progress

Understand how AI-enhanced tutoring and learning tools adjust to each student’s needs, helping districts close gaps faster and scale individualized learning without having to recruit, onboard, and afford more staff.

Turning Data Into Action

Learn how AI-driven insights can strengthen MTSS and early-warning systems, enabling leaders to identify who needs help and deploy resources more effectively.

  Location: Paloma/Hacienda III

Explore the power of AI in education through this hands-on, interactive workshop. In this collaborative session, you'll design and experiment with AI-powered agents to tackle real-world district challenges across key areas: Operations, Student Support & Engagement, and School Reporting.

Participants will work in teams using specially prepared “Mystery Challenge Baskets," each containing AI-driven scenarios, data insights, and practical tools tailored to critical issues like staffing shortages, budget constraints, student support needs, and compliance requirements.

Through guided activities and expert facilitation, you'll rapidly move from pinpointing a problem to developing a practical AI-powered approach. By the session's end, you'll have experimented firsthand with the potential of AI Agents in education and leave with fresh ideas and strategies to benefit your district.

Learning Outcomes:

• Discover practical applications of AI across district operations and instructional settings to address key challenges.
• Engage in hands-on exploration of AI tools to design innovative solutions for real-world K-12 scenarios.
• Exchange ideas and refine strategies through collaborative discussions, enhancing the potential impact of AI in education.