Preparing Educators for the AI Era: Adapting Teaching Before the Transformation
Strategies to Help Teachers Thrive in a Technology-Driven Education Landscape
Description
This event focuses on how teachers can proactively prepare for the rapid integration of AI into the education system. Rather than reacting to change after it happens, this conversation will center on equipping educators now, with tools, professional development, and policy support, to navigate the evolving teaching environment.
Background
In recent years, artificial intelligence has moved from science fiction into everyday classroom tools. Modern AI systems, such as generative chatbots and adaptive learning software, can tailor lessons to individual students and handle tasks that once took teachers hours. A report notes that 86% of education organizations now use generative AI of some kind. Yet surveys show most educators feel they…
Date: 2025-08-13
Time (ET): 4:00 PM EDT, Aug 13, 2025
Time (Local): 8:00 PM UTC, Aug 13, 2025
Location: online
Speakers
Robert Shand
Assistant Professor, American University
Tianlong Xu
Staff Applied Scientist, Squirrel Ai Learning
Dee Kanejiya
Founder & CEO, Cognii
Joseph South
Chief Innovation Officer, ISTE ASCD
Tonya Breland
CEO/President, Teach Educators & Scholars Organization
Guided Questions
Robert Shand
Given your research focus on how schools and teachers use economic evaluation data to improve over time, how can we design teacher‑centered professional development frameworks so that districts can assess and prepare educators for ethical, impactful AI integration in classrooms?
Tianlong Xu
Given your work on using generative AI to detect students’ nuanced learning gaps and recommend personalized content, how can educators be supported in understanding and effectively integrating these kinds of AI-driven tools in the classroom, especially when it comes to balancing automation with teacher intuition and goals?
Joseph South
Drawing on your leadership in AI literacy initiatives and educator training, what specific skills should educators be developing today to ensure students can thrive in an AI-driven future, beyond just using AI tools for efficiency?
Tonya Breland
With your extensive leadership in advancing educational equity and organizational transformation, how can schools ensure AI tools close rather than widen gaps in access, achievement, and opportunity?
Dee Kanejiya
Given your experience developing conversational AI tools that provide scalable, personalized feedback to students, what do you see as the most immediate opportunities for AI to enhance teacher effectiveness today? How can we ensure that tools like yours are integrated in ways that empower teachers, particularly in environments where training and resources are limited?