Date
Thursday, October 15, 2026
Time
10:00 AM - 10:50 AM
Location Name
BL 22
Name
Leading From the Middle: How Teacher-Leaders Are Building AI Capacity Now
Description
Most AI integration stalls not because schools lack interest, but because teacher-leaders are waiting for a plan that may never arrive. This interactive workshop is for educators ready to stop waiting and start leading.
Participants work through a three-step framework to build AI capacity without a district-wide mandate. First, you'll assess your building's AI readiness using a quick diagnostic tool. Then, in small groups, you'll identify low-risk, high-visibility entry points where AI solves a real problem teachers already have. Finally, you'll draft a 30-day action plan to bring back to your school the next week.
This session is grounded in what's working in K-12 buildings right now: small wins that build trust, peer modeling over top-down PD, and permission structures that make it safe for teachers to experiment. You'll leave with a concrete plan and the confidence to move forward without waiting for someone else to go first.
Speakers
Session Type
Traditional Workshop
Track
Instructional Practice & Coaching
Secondary Track
AI Implementation
Primary Audience
Middle/High School
Secondary Audience
General Educators
Fall Conference Strands
Educate
MA DLCS Strands
Digital Tools and Collaboration