Powercast Episode 21: From Cheating Concerns to Creative Learning: A District Leader's Guide to Educational AI

Welcome to another episode of Powercast! Today’s conversation comes from ISTE 2025 in San Antonio, Texas, where we sat down with Sue Moore, Director of Instructional Technology and Curriculum for Meriden Public Schools in Connecticut.In this episode, Sue shares her district's innovative approach to AI integration in education, moving beyond the common fears of cheating and automation to focus on how artificial intelligence can genuinely improve student learning outcomes. She discusses the initial hesitancy teachers face with AI technology and how her district supports educators in embracing new tools through a culture that encourages experimentation and learning from failure. Sue provides practical advice for districts just starting their AI journey, emphasizing the importance of establishing clear guidelines and guardrails around student data privacy while communicating expectations to teachers, students, and parents. She explores how AI is transforming both classroom instruction and back-office operations for more seamless and efficient tasks.Tune in to hear from this forward-thinking educational leader about preparing students for jobs that don't yet exist, the importance of prompt engineering and critical evaluation of AI outputs, and why embracing AI now is crucial for educational success. To learn more about PowerSchool, visit: https://www.powerschool.com/