AI Summit

Presenter(s):
Hattie Strong, Sr. Account Executive, SchoolAI;
Aaron Baughman, AI Strategist, Michigan Virtual (former Asst. Superintendent, Northville Schools)

Session Description:
Arm yourself with AI that unlocks teacher superpowers and accelerates student breakthroughs.

This hands-on session, co-presented with Aaron Baughman, former Assistant Superintendent of Instruction at Northville Public Schools, shows administrators how to use AI not just for efficiency, but for deeper impact across your entire learning ecosystem. Learn practical strategies to automate administrative tasks, turn data-driven insights into teacher support systems, and create AI-powered conditions that free your teachers to focus on what matters most—connecting with students.  Perfect for leaders ready to leverage AI to move beyond operational efficiency to drive meaningful instructional change.

Experience Level:
AI Novice

Target Audience:
Administration

Presenter(s):
Kurt Beer, Senior Account Executive, MagicSchool AI;
Elaine Stiefel, Director of Instructional Technology, West Ottawa Public Schools

Session Description:
What does it take to roll out AI successfully across an entire K-12 district? In this session, Elaine Stiefel, the Director of Instructional Technology from West Ottawa Public Schools will join a MagicSchool Michigan representative to share how their district placed innovation at the center, empowering all staff and students, from Kindergarten through 12th grade, to safely and effectively use AI.

You’ll hear how the district prioritized interoperability, staff readiness, and student safety to make MagicSchool a trusted and widely adopted AI platform. The session will highlight best practices for aligning district-wide goals with emerging AI tools, share actionable steps for successful implementation, and explore how strategic partnerships can accelerate innovation without compromising on privacy or control.

Whether your district is just beginning to explore AI or already building momentum, this session will offer inspiration and real-world insight to guide your organization toward effective and sustainable AI integration for teaching, learning, and school operations.

Experience Level:
AI Casual User

Target Audience:
Administration

Presenter(s):
Doug Leisenring, Project Director - MiGreatDataLake, MAISA ;
Tammy Evans, MiCH IT Director, MAISA

Session Description: Join us for an engaging and forward-thinking session as we explore a better future for education data in Michigan! As the demand for data-driven decision-making in education grows, so does the need for a revolutionized, robust, student-focused big data ecosystem. This session will showcase Michigan’s journey in building an integrated K-12 data infrastructure designed to empower educators, teachers, parents, and students alike to access all their student data together and make decisions based on real-time information.

Discover how cutting-edge data analytics, AI-powered insights, and real-time dashboards are transforming the way we track student progress, personalize learning experiences, and ensure every child receives the support they need. We’ll dive into the challenges and triumphs of integrating multiple data sources—from assessments and attendance to social-emotional learning indicators—all while maintaining security, privacy, and accessibility.

Participants will engage in activities to identify current data challenges and opportunities, define essential data needs, and provide feedback on a prototype AI-integrated teacher tool. The session aims to build a network of "data champions" and gather crucial input to shape future data strategies.

Whether you’re an educator, administrator, policy leader, or technologist, this session will equip you with the knowledge and tools to be a part of Michigan’s data revolution. Don’t miss this opportunity to shape the future of student success through the power of big data!

Experience Level: AI Novice

Target Audience: Teachers (planning, work management)

Presenter(s):
Nathan Labenz, Keynote, Cognitive Revolution Podcast

Session Description: Join keynoter, Nathan Labenz, for a personal conversation about AI.  Nathan will share fascinating observations about the evolution of AI in industry and have open dialogue with participants about the implications of this technology and the human effects.  From automation to reflection, the room is invited to think aloud together.

Experience Level: All

Target Audience: Administrators, Teachers

Presenter(s):
Troy Lynch, Instructional Technology and Media Curriculum Specialist, Midland Public Schools

Session Description:
School leadership is full of “just one more thing” moments—emails, reports, budgets, policies—that drain your time and energy. This fast-paced, hands-on session skips the AI hype and dives straight into practical, administrator-focused strategies you can use tomorrow.

In Smarter, Not Harder, you’ll see how AI can become your behind-the-scenes assistant—streamlining board reports, creating polished parent communications, summarizing data, and even navigating those tricky staff emails. We’ll tackle real-world leadership tasks, showing exactly how to save hours each week without sacrificing quality, professionalism, or compliance.

You’ll leave with ready-to-use prompts, workflows, and guardrails that put you back in control of your time—no tech degree required. Expect live demos, candid Q&A, and a few laughs along the way as we prove AI can be both powerful and approachable.

Experience Level:
AI Casual User

Target Audience:
Administration

Presenter(s):
Chris Thomas, Secondary Instructional Technology Consultant, Ann Arbor Public Schools;
Dr. Heather Kellstrom; Executive Director of Instructional Technology & Information Services, Ann Arbor Public Schools;
Kathryn Bellows; Secondary Instructional Technology Consultant, Ann Arbor Public Schools

Session Description:
This student-centered session highlights how our year-long Student AI Council led the development of a large district's student and staff AI rights, responsibilities and misuse policies, and shaped the pathway of all other community groups engaged in AI readiness. The initiative was rooted in both The Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights (White House OSTP, October 2022) and local student data, which revealed strong alignment around ethical AI use, environmental concerns, and responsible implementation.

This student-led AI journey, facilitated by utilizing the design thinking process, will highlight:

• Basecamp Year 1:  the centralized starting point for planning and launching the year’s worth of AI expeditions for multiple stakeholder groups
• Compass & Map:  the district’s AI core values and ever-evolving policy landscape
• AI Trailhead:  how students acted as the guides and trail markers by flagging concerns, needs and opportunities
• Ethical GPS:  the recalibration activities that altered the AI learning and usage journey based on continuous feedback from a variety of stakeholders
• Wayfinding Stations:  the places where stakeholders paused, reflected, gathered input and adjusted practices based on lessons learned
• Route Planning Hub:  the juncture in the journey where multiple refinements led to unveiling Basecamp Year 2

Our Ann Arbor Public Schools AI journey reflects the belief that technology becomes truly transformational only when embedded in student-centered instructional design. As district leaders and student representatives showcase their AI expeditions, participants will explore how pedagogy, accessibility, and data-driven responsiveness can guide AI integration. This session will challenge school systems to move beyond device rollouts toward sustainable, values-driven, human-centric AI practices. Interactive discussion, resources and actionable strategies will equip attendees to center student perspectives and scale ethical AI governance in any district context.

Experience Level:
AI Novice

Target Audience:
Teachers (planning, work management)

Presenter(s):
Jarrah Latz, Instructional Coach and Technology Teacher, Ovid Elsie Area Schools

Session Description:
As AI tools become more common in classrooms, educators need new ways to assess students. This session will provide a framework for teachers and curriculum designers to create equitable and effective assessments that are either resistant to AI or incorporate AI to support critical thinking. You'll learn how to identify and fix "leaks" in traditional assessments, and how to use AI to enhance student learning while maintaining academic integrity. You will walk away with a redesigned assessment that is either AI-Friendly or AI-Resistant. 

Experience Level:
AI Novice

Target Audience:
Teachers (instruction, classroom use)

Presenter(s):
Jennifer Lawson, Instructional Technology Integration Coordinator, Northville Public Schools

Session Description:
Bring AI to life in your classroom with Michigan Virtual’s free AI Literacy course—paired with Curipod for an engaging, student-centered experience! In this session, you’ll explore how to introduce students to foundational AI concepts using interactive lessons that spark curiosity, critical thinking, and conversation. Learn how one educator successfully implemented this course using Curipod in both middle schools in Northville Public Schools—empowering students to explore AI’s role in their daily lives and future careers. We’ll walk through how to access the course, adapt it for different grade levels, and deliver it through Curipod to create dynamic, tech-enhanced learning experiences.

Takeaways:

• Access Michigan Virtual’s free AI Literacy course
• Learn how to transform lessons using Curipod for maximum student engagement
• Hear real examples of success from Northville middle school classrooms
• Leave with ready-to-teach resources and practical implementation tips

Experience Level:
AI Casual User

Target Audience:
Student Use

Presenter(s):
Karle Delo, AI Strategist, Michigan Virtual

Session Description: Join us as we unveil Michigan Virtual’s new Student Guide to AI and hear directly from students about the top skills and mindsets they see as essential for an AI-driven future. This student-guided panel discussion will explore how their perspectives can bridge the gap between student experiences with AI and the ways educators are planning for it.

Experience Level: AI Casual

Target Audience: Student Use

Presenter(s):
Vishal Shah, CEO, Screencastify;
Matt Santala, Director of Technology, Oxford Community Schools

Session Description:
AI is everywhere right now, but one truth remains: human connection is still the heartbeat of education. This panel discussion isn’t just about the latest shiny tools, it’s about how K-12 educators can use technology with intention to create deeper relationships, elevate their voices, and lead with purpose.

Through the lens of Screencastify’s newest AI-driven features, we’ll explore how video, storytelling, and reflection help teachers, coaches, and technology leaders unlock the power of raw, authentic ideas to turn them into clear messages with impact.

You’ll hear directly from Vishal Shah, CEO of Screencastify, and Matt Santala, Director of Technology at Oxford Community Schools, on how educators are driving successful AI adoption, all while using it to:

• Bring student and community voices to the forefront, especially in multilingual and diverse classrooms
• Streamline collaboration and reflection through shared folders and smart editing workflows
• Save time with AI-powered translation, grading, and interactivity tools
• Scale and manage video communication securely with district-level account tools

Whether you’re an administrator, curriculum leader, coach, or classroom teacher, you’ll walk away with a toolkit of templates, strategies, and real-life examples - not just to keep up with AI, but to lead boldly and communicate with authenticity.

Let’s shift the conversation from what AI can do to what we can do with it - to build trust, spark creativity, and empower every voice in our schools and communities.

Experience Level:
AI Casual User

Target Audience:
Administration

Presenter(s):
Mazin Melegy, Cofounder/Product Director, AnswerQuestAI;
Walt Sutterlin, Sr. Director of Partnerships, Michigan Virtual

Session Description:
How can schools cut through communication clutter and ensure that families, staff, and students get the right information—instantly, in any language? In this interactive, we will introduce AnswerQuest, a conversational AI platform designed specifically for school and district websites. Through our pilot partnership with Michigan Virtual, participants will see firsthand how AnswerQuest:

• Provides parents, students, and staff with 24/7, multilingual access to accurate information already circulating in emails, handbooks, and websites.
• Streamlines common requests such as attendance policies, schedules, or enrollment details—reducing inbox volume for administrators.
• Integrates seamlessly across multiple channels to create a consistent communication experience.
• Empowers school leaders with an administrative console that offers oversight, analytics, and the ability to fine-tune messaging pathways for sensitive topics.

Experience Level:
AI Casual User

Target Audience:
School/District Operations

Presenter(s):
Keith Tramper, EdTech Consultant, Kent ISD/REMC 8;
Sarah Wood, EdTech Consultant, Kent ISD;
Judy Bowling, Instructional Technology and Library Consultant, Wayne RESA;
Lauren Villaluz, Instructional Design Consultant, Oakland Schools

Session Description:
Four fast-paced lightning talks and one interactive panel. Join us as we share our big, bold insights about AI in education, then flip the mic to you to ask your burning questions and share your big ideas.

Experience Level:
AI Casual User

Target Audience:
Teachers (instruction, classroom use)

Presenter(s):
Melanie Depray-Learst, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Accountability, Westwood Community Schools;
Matt Perry, Teacher/Instructional Technology Coach, Westwood Community Schools;
Westwood Community Schools AI Task Force

Session Description:
Westwood Community Schools is turning AI into a thinking partner, not an answer machine. Hear how the district set a foundation for innovation with a cross-functional task force that set clear guardrails and goals for AI literacy across staff and students. With that foundation, teachers are reimagining assessment—valuing transparent process over product and reframing the concept of plagiarism. In classrooms, tools like Snorkl are capturing students’ learning processes for targeted feedback, MagicSchool is enhancing peer collaboration, and other AI tools are helping teachers differentiate instruction using real, usable learning data. Come see how this district-wide approach is paying dividends to students across all grade levels.

Experience Level:
AI Casual User

Target Audience:
Teachers (instruction, classroom use)

Presenter(s):
Betsy Springer, Assistant to the Partnership Director, Gull Lake Virtual Partnership

Session Description:
This interactive workshop equips teacher educators with strategies to use AI effectively in daily work. From beginner-friendly conversations with chat-based tools to advanced techniques like“vibe coding,” participants will explore how AI can streamline lesson planning, feedback, research, and coaching. We’ll move from practical entry points to creative applications, ensuring that educators leave with both confidence and inspiration to apply AI in various roles.

Experience Level:
AI Casual User

Target Audience:
Administration

Presenter(s):
Emilia McGuckin, Senior ELA Instructor, Michigan Virtual

Session Description:
AI is already part of your students’ learning experience—whether you’re ready for it or not. Instead of playing catch-up, this session empowers educators to proactively shape how AI shows up in their classrooms. Learn practical strategies for setting clear classroom expectations around AI use, modeling ethical and effective usage, and guiding students through the realities of AI-generated content. We’ll explore how to address common misconceptions by exposing AI hallucinations, errors, and biases, and we’ll touch on deeper conversations, like the environmental impact of large-scale AI tools. You’ll leave with actionable ideas for building student awareness, creating guidelines that support academic integrity, and reducing the burden of grading AI-influenced work. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the pace of AI’s influence on education, this session will help you feel prepared, not panicked.

Experience Level:
AI Casual User

Target Audience:
Teachers (instruction, classroom use)

Presenter(s):
Shana Ramin, Technology Integration Specialist, Oakland Schools

Session Description:
Artificial intelligence is shaping how we teach, learn, and create — but it’s also surrounded by myths, hype, and confusion. In this session, we’ll explore three key things everyone should know about artificial intelligence. We’ll unpack how it really works, the benefits and challenges it brings, and the role humans still play in making it meaningful. You’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of AI’s potential and limitations, along with practical insights you can apply in your own context.

Experience Level:
AI Novice

Target Audience:
Teachers (planning, work management)

Presenter(s):
Amy Dirlam, Assistant Superintendent, St. Joseph Public Schools/MACUL ;
Ashlie O'Connor, Instructional Technology & Data Specialist, Alpena Montmorency Alcona Educational Service District/MACUL

Session Description:
Join this session to learn how districts from two opposite regions of the Mitten are developing AI Guidance for teachers, students, and families focused on the importance of keeping human relationships at the center. Ashlie and Amy will share how their roles on the MACUL Board of Directors, as well as their involvement with the AI Statewide Workgroup, REMC Association of Michigan, and local educator networks have helped school district leaders leverage the power of people and human connection when navigating AI. Come and learn how these support systems can assist you in your journey. Numerous resources, including example guidance documents, will be presented. Participants are encouraged to bring questions, as time will be provided for human connection and collaboration.

Experience Level:
AI Casual User

Target Audience:
Administration

Presenter(s):
Jessica Wiercinski, Elementary Teacher, Kenowa Hills Public Schools

Session Description:
This session will provide elementary educators with a clear and practical roadmap for leveraging AI to transform small group instruction. Our focus is on the "how-to," moving from a conceptual understanding of AI to hands-on application. Grounded in the Michigan Virtual AI Framework and K-12 Integration Guide, the session will demonstrate how AI can be a powerful, behind-the-scenes partner, enabling teachers to reclaim time and personalize learning materials for their students. The strategies and tools presented are a synthesis of successful implementation models and best practices, offering a universally applicable framework for all attendees.

Experience Level:
AI Expert

Target Audience:
Teachers (instruction, classroom use)

Presenter: Matt Mervis, Director, Skills21 & AI Strategy at EdAdvance

Session Description: Artificial Intelligence tools are influencing our lives and redefining the education landscape at a rapid pace. Vital skills such as critical thinking, managing ambiguity, and creativity are becoming increasingly important as we prepare students for a future deeply intertwined with AI.

This talk and hands-on illustration will cover:

• A brief history of AI, setting a foundation for understanding its evolution.
• An objective look at AI's potential risks, addressing ethical and privacy concerns.
• A deep dive into AI's role in education, showcasing its potential to elevate student learning and teacher practice.
• A framework to address the "cheating" concern and strategies for educators to harness AI for curriculum and administration.

  During the presentation, individuals and teams will have an opportunity to examine prompting with multiple AI tools and understand how to leverage AI in their work.

The AI Statewide Workgroup’s 3rd Annual AI Summit is a one-day event bringing together Michigan education leaders to explore the practical applications of AI in schools. Attendees will learn through real stories, hands-on examples, and role-specific sessions designed for immediate impact.

The event will be held on October 15, 2025 at Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan.

The summit directly supports goals like improving instructional quality, expanding academic support, and increasing staff efficiency. Attendees will return with concrete deliverables and a shared approach to AI implementation.

Absolutely. Coordinating registrations across leadership roles maximizes impact, ensuring your district builds a unified AI strategy.

This year, we’ve kept early bird pricing at $165 per person for the entire registration window.

Yes. Districts can register using a Purchase Order (PO) to reserve seats now and pay once budgets are finalized.

Register to get your team tickets now and we will invoice you against a Purchase Order after funds are released. Any registrations not cancelled by 9/30/25 will be billed at full cost.

Session slides are available within the drop-down agenda. Select the session you’re interested in to view its details and look for the orange button to access slides. If a session does not include a button, slides were not submitted by the presenter.