Temple ISD remains proactive in integrating artificial intelligence into classrooms.
On Friday, the district announced that Hannah Davis Ketteman, a digital learning coach, will join GenerationAI — an initiative led by ISTE+ASCD, a Virginia-based educational consultant, that shares how AI technology can effectively and responsibly be integrated into classrooms across the nation.
“AI is rapidly changing the educational landscape, and we really have an obligation to equip our students and teachers with the tools they need to be successful,” Ketteman said. “As part of this select cohort, I look forward to collaborating with fellow educators to develop practical solutions that will help prepare our students for an AI-driven future.”
The cohort, a 15-month program, is funded through a $10 million investment from Google.org and offers participants monthly collaboration sessions during which they can develop AI solutions, conduct research, create resources and work with experts to improve student outcomes.
“Hannah’s participation in ISTE+ASCD’s GenerationAI program is a pivotal moment for Temple ISD,” Ashley Jones, Temple ISD director of digital learning, said. “Her dedication to AI innovation has been instrumental in shaping professional development at Temple ISD on AI literacy. This national opportunity will equip her with invaluable insights, allowing us to revolutionize AI education in our schools. By collaborating with leading minds in the field, Hannah will ensure that AI best practices in our classrooms not only drive student achievement, but also embody our district’s forward-thinking vision and strategic initiatives.”
Last summer, Ott called AI in the classroom inevitable.
“One of the expectations that I think any community should have for their school system is that we’re preparing kids for the future,” he told the Telegram at the time. “AI is part of the workforce at this point in time and it’s growing. If we do not acknowledge that and do not expose our students to it in a safe way, then I think we would not be meeting those expectations of our communities.”
Ott — who Temple ISD hired in 2018 to lead the district after working here in various capacities — stressed how an absence of AI training for teachers ultimately could lead to students bringing it into the classroom without supervision.
“We want our teachers to be informed and trained and lead the charge,” he said. “We’re still learning and growing in that space, but we’re able to start setting up safeguards to introduce it in a way that’s appropriate and in a way that doesn’t compromise academic integrity.”
Ott added how AI integration will serve only one purpose in Temple ISD.
“It is only going to be used to extend instruction, enrich instruction and assess instruction,” he said. “That’s it. It’s not going to be used to do anything else.”