Spark Joyful Learning by Reclaiming Time and Thriving with AI

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Let’s be honest: leading in education today can feel like a never-ending game of Whac-A-Mole. Just as one issue is addressed, three more pop up. Between emails, meetings, data reports, and community demands, it's easy to lose sight of what matters most—connecting with people and nurturing the joy of learning.

That’s exactly why I’ve been leaning into the unexpected: artificial intelligence. Not in a flashy, futuristic way—but in quiet, powerful ways that actually reduce stress and help me (and other school leaders) show up more fully.

In July, I’ll be sharing this work at the 2025 ASCD + ISTE conference in San Antonio. I’m offering two sessions designed not around tech for tech’s sake—but around how we use it to feel more human in our work.


🕓 Session 1: Reclaim Your Time — How AI Empowers Leaders to Focus on What Matters

📍 Tuesday, July 1 | 4:00–5:00 PM

This session grew out of a very real question I hear from school leaders all the time:
"How do I find time to do the things that actually matter—like visiting classrooms or connecting with staff—when my to-do list is endless?"

We’ll explore that question using:

  • Sample AI prompts you can use to draft emails, organize notes, or summarize data.

  • Real demonstrations of tools like ChatGPT and Gemini that can ease your planning and reporting load.

  • A look at five areas where AI can enhance leadership: building trust, guiding decisions, supporting PD, engaging families, and managing information.

More than a how-to, this session is an invitation to rethink your time and energy as a leader.

⚡ Session 2: Thrive, Don’t Just Survive — AI Tools to Support Educator Wellness

📍 Monday, June 30 | 4:30–5:00 PM

This quick, energizing session is all about well-being.
We’ll look at:

  • How to use AI to check in with yourself and clarify your priorities.

  • How to strengthen team culture by aligning on shared values (with AI as a tool, not the driver).

  • How to shift from just “getting through the week” to building a more sustainable, supportive environment.

Expect practical takeaways you can try the very next day—and hopefully a deep breath or two.

In my session, “Reclaim Time: Integrating AI for School Leaders,” I asked participants to reflect on how we can use AI to lighten the load, not add to it. What followed was a powerful exchange of real strategies and tools that are reshaping how we lead.

One standout theme was using: NotebookLM, an AI infused tool several leaders in the room are already using in ways that are nothing short of transformational:

A superintendent uploads the entire board book each month into a notebook and generates a podcast summary to send to board members—making meetings more productive and engaging.

A principal uploads district handbooks and policy documents into a notebook, giving her teachers a go-to AI assistant for questions about sick leave, instruction, and other common issues—saving everyone time.

A curriculum director in Jamaica builds her professional development plan in NotebookLM, then uses AI to generate strategic planning documents that would have taken days to complete by hand.

These examples reminded me that the most effective AI use is personal, purposeful, and deeply human-centered. It’s not just about automation; it’s about creating space for real leadership and connection.

Throughout the conference, other sessions echoed this message.

Tori Cameron spoke about leveraging AI to support educator mental health.

Teresa D. Hill emphasized closing achievement gaps through empowered leadership.

What struck me most wasn’t just the tools—it was the power of collaboration and conversation. So much insight comes from simply sharing what’s working, asking questions, and thinking together. The collective wisdom reminds me that when we learn together, we lead better.

I left the conference with a renewed commitment: reclaiming time isn’t just about doing more—it’s about doing what matters. AI, when thoughtfully applied, helps us do just that—together.



#AIinEducation #SchoolLeadership #ReclaimYourTime #NotebookLM #EdTech #WellbeingInEducation #WomenInLeadership #InstructionalLeadership #StrategicPlanning #AIforEducators #ISTE2025 #EducationInnovation

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