CTE leaders and district teams are standing at an inflection point. Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a future trend—it’s already reshaping how work gets done across every industry. Employer expectations are shifting faster than curriculum cycles, and students will be expected to collaborate with AI in nearly every career they pursue.
That reality raises some urgent questions for K–12 leaders:
- Are our CTE pathways aligned to how jobs are actually changing?
- Do teachers have the support and confidence to integrate AI responsibly?
- Are students developing the right balance of technical skills and human skills for the future of work?
These are the questions we explored in a recent SchoolDay Academy webinar focused on building AI-ready CTE programs—through the lens of real district leadership and workforce experience. We also dig into practical ways districts can assess their AI readiness, helping leaders understand where programs are strong and where modernization may be needed.
Voices From the Field
This conversation was enriched by two leaders bringing complementary perspectives:
- Dr. Jason Adams is the Assistant Superintendent for Learning at Webster Groves School District, where he leads curriculum, instruction, and assessment with a focus on coherence, equity, and student-centered outcomes. His work centers on strengthening instructional systems, building educator capacity, and ensuring learning experiences prepare students for life beyond the classroom. Dr. Adams brings a practitioner’s perspective on how districts can thoughtfully evolve learning in a rapidly changing, AI-influenced world.
- David Leaser is a senior executive at MyInnerGenius and a former IBM executive with deep expertise in digital transformation, skills development, and workforce alignment. A recognized thought leader on the future of work, David focuses on bridging K-12, higher education, and industry to create clearer pathways from learning to careers. His work emphasizes preparing students with durable skills and credentials that align education systems with the demands of an AI-powered economy.
Their insights connect district realities with workforce expectations in a way that feels both practical and actionable.
An Invitation to Watch—and Reflect
If you’re a district leader, wrestling with how to prepare students for an AI-shaped workforce, I encourage you to watch the full webinar.
It’s an honest, grounded conversation about:
- What’s changing
- What’s possible
- And how districts can move forward with clarity and confidence
If this conversation resonates, we invite you to explore how SchoolDay Academy supports modern, workforce-aligned CTE pathways for K–12 districts.
Start a free 30-day trial of SchoolDay Academy
Thank you for the work you do every day to support students—and for taking the time to engage in this important conversation.
I’m truly glad you’re here.
— Heather Sherburn
Academic Officer, SchoolDay Academy