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.

I’m not sharing these ideas because AI is trendy. I’m sharing them because I believe we can’t keep pushing ourselves to exhaustion and expecting sustainable outcomes. If AI can help us clear some of the clutter so we can focus on people and purpose—that’s worth exploring.

If you’re coming to San Antonio, let’s connect. And if you’re just beginning your AI journey, know this: it's not about being an expert. It’s about staying grounded in what matters—and being open to tools that help us lead with clarity and care.

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