Experiential Education, Professional Connections, Model Schools, and Other Highlights at the DMV Leadership Conference

In the bustling city of Baltimore, the Maritime Conference Centre played host to the Tech & Learning Regional Leadership Summit. This event brought together school and district leaders from Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, offering a platform for innovative minds to engage and dream up accessible futures for learners.

The day began with an icebreaker called "KarAIoke", a creative initiative developed by Carl Hooker. This interactive session involved guessing popular songs based on AI-generated images, setting the tone for a day filled with technology and innovation.

Dr. Amy Jackson and Krystle Pearson discussed shifts in instructional coaching in the post-pandemic era. They suggested change management using Kotter's method, intentional long-term planning, forming coaching teams with reading, math, and science coaches, modeling digital pedagogy, engaging in more collaborative learning, and focusing on capacity building.

Leaders in schools are increasingly modeling the use of AI. This was evident in the inclusion of AI-generated images in weekly newsletters, as well as the use of AI + Scratch for multilingual cohorts and K-5 robotics in science instruction. Schools are also having intentional discussions with students about AI use and its potential applications.

Dr. Godfrey Rangasammy and Jessica Leedy from Prince George's County School District discussed changing the STEM status quo through an equity lens by working toward justice-centered and multilingual science education. Their work is a culmination and continuation of a decade's worth of innovation, curriculum audits in grades 3-8 biology, ambitious science teaching, and using AI for this purpose.

The Innovative Leader Award winners were recognised for their outstanding contributions. Amanda Lanza and Valerie Schaffer were awarded for Best Example of Innovative Digital Curriculum, Godfrey Rangasammy and Jessica Leedy for Best Example of Providing Equity & Access, and Chad McGaha for Innovative Chief Technology Officer.

Cybersecurity concerns continue to increase, with K-12 schools being the No. 1 targeted population for ransomware attacks. CoSN is working on a K-12 generative AI readiness checklist and toolkit to support districts in addressing AI use, and also provides resources for districts to be more proactive in addressing cybersecurity.

The day concluded with group presentations of model schools, showcasing eco-friendly materials, state-of-the-art tech tables, and a focus on developing students' soft-skills, cultural competence, and engagement with community and industry partners.

Esports presentation by Tarrin Morgan from Morgan State University and CEO of REALdigitizED highlighted the alignment between esports, student wellness, and career readiness. Participation in esports can lead to benefits such as emotional, mental, and physical wellness, analytical and critical thinking, increased hand-eye coordination, leadership skills, effective communication, networking, adaptability, strategic planning, computer fluency, and extended STEM career opportunities.

Keith Krueger, CEO of CoSN, discussed the future of education and highlighted three challenges that affect tech leaders: cybersecurity, digital equity, and AI in K-12. He also spoke about the cross-cutting impact of AI with cybersecurity, as well as its influence on analytics and adaptive technologies, which are areas to watch.

StretchAI for education is in Beta testing and relies on a "walled garden" approach for data curation by ISTE and ASCD. The name of the ISTE CEO who spoke at the regional event in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia along with Carl Hooker about trendsetting technologies is not explicitly stated in the available search results.

Digital equity remains an issue, as student connectivity varies and not all devices can handle robust computing for remote learning tools. However, the Tech & Learning Regional Leadership Summits offer unique learning and networking opportunities to stay informed about the latest in edtech, ensuring that all learners have access to the best possible education.

Experiential Education, Professional Connections, Model Schools, and Other Highlights at the DMV Leadership Conference