During my years as an Assistant Superintendent overseeing curriculum, instruction, and technology, I helped lead countless initiatives—from new literacy programs to districtwide tech rollouts. One lesson I learned every single time: success doesn’t come from the tool itself. Success comes when you train your people, engage your stakeholders, and equip leaders to guide the change.
That’s why the rise of Artificial Intelligence in schools feels so familiar to me. AI isn’t a distant concept—it’s already in classrooms today. Students are experimenting with it. Teachers are trying to figure out how to use it. And district leaders are being asked to manage the risks and costs.
The real question is: Are we preparing our educators and leaders to be informed, responsible consumers of AI?
The Urgency of AI in Classrooms
AI is not on the horizon—it’s already here. Students are using generative AI tools to write essays, solve math problems, and brainstorm projects. Teachers are experimenting with AI lesson planning and grading support. Without training, this can quickly lead to inconsistent use, privacy risks, and even widening equity gaps.
Every day that passes without structured AI training for teachers increases the chance of:
- Unsafe practices: using tools that don’t meet compliance standards.
- Equity gaps: some teachers leveraging AI well while others avoid it entirely.
- Burnout: missed opportunities to reduce workloads and free up teacher time.
The solution is clear: teachers need structured, practical training. But teachers can’t carry this alone. Principals, district leaders, and IT staff also need training to lead adoption safely, set policy, and manage compliance.
A Tale of Two Districts: What Happens Without—and With—Training
When Training Is Missing
In 2024, Los Angeles Unified School District launched “Ed,” an AI-powered chatbot designed to assist families. Within three months, the vendor collapsed, leaving the district with a failed program and shaken trust. Teachers weren’t trained, policy wasn’t fully developed, and community stakeholders weren’t engaged. The result: wasted money, frustrated staff, and skepticism about AI.
When Training Leads the Way
Contrast that with Duval County Public Schools in Florida. In 2025, they launched an “AI Institute” to provide professional development for teachers before rolling out major AI tools. Teachers now use AI confidently to design lessons, create assessments, and give more effective feedback. The outcome? Teachers feel supported, leadership has buy-in, and parents see AI being used responsibly.
The difference between these districts wasn’t technology—it was preparation.
Why Teacher AI Training Is the Foundation
Teachers are the heart of instruction. Training them in responsible AI use creates:
- Time savings: AI helps streamline lesson planning, grading, and communication.
- Stronger instruction: differentiated materials for diverse learners.
- Student engagement: creative applications that bring lessons to life.
When teachers understand AI, they don’t fear it—they use it to make learning more equitable, engaging, and efficient.
But training can’t stop there. Principals need to guide building-level adoption. District leaders need to build policies rooted in compliance and equity. IT professionals need to understand governance and security. Only when all roles are trained together can a district align vision with practice.
Why SchoolDay Academy Recommends the Generative AI for Educators Specialization
SchoolDay Academy (SDA), in partnership with Coursera, offers the Generative AI for Educators specialization as a safe, scalable way to build AI capacity across the district.
Here’s what makes it the smartest choice:
- Scalable teacher training: Flexible, self-paced modules that fit teacher schedules without requiring sub coverage.
- Leadership and IT pathways: SDA also provides AI courses tailored for principals, district administrators, and IT staff, so governance and practice stay aligned.
- Compliance-ready learning: Teachers learn to use AI ethically, with attention to privacy, data security, and responsible adoption.
- Proof of adoption: Completion certificates give districts measurable evidence of professional development to share with boards and communities.
- Unmatched value: For $149 per user per year, every staff member gains unlimited access to 9,000+ PD courses. Districts purchasing 100+ licenses receive discounts as low as $100 per user.
- Ongoing growth: After completing the AI specialization, staff can move into courses on writing, math, creativity, workload reduction, compliance, STEM, and more.
With one license, teachers, principals, and IT staff alike can pursue professional development throughout the year.
The Districtwide Impact of Investing in AI Training
When districts provide AI training for teachers and leaders, the impact is transformative:
- Reduced risk: Staff use AI tools responsibly, lowering compliance and reputational risks.
- Cost efficiency: Bulk licensing maximizes PD budgets and avoids fragmented vendor contracts.
- Unified approach: Teachers, principals, IT, and district leaders work from the same foundation, creating consistency.
- Community trust: Parents and boards see AI being adopted responsibly and equitably.
- Future readiness: Districts stay ahead of rapid technology change with sustainable, ongoing training.
As a former Assistant Superintendent, I know the importance of engaging all voices—teachers, IT, site leaders, students, and parents—when leading new initiatives. When staff are trained and leadership is aligned, districts avoid costly missteps and instead build trust and momentum.
Final Word
AI isn’t optional—it’s already in our classrooms. The real choice is whether districts let it spread informally, with all the risks that entails, or whether they lead adoption thoughtfully with training for teachers, leaders, and IT staff.
The Generative AI for Educators specialization through SchoolDay Academy is the clearest path forward. It empowers staff at every level, protects the district, and delivers PD that is affordable, scalable, and sustainable.
Explore the Generative AI for Educators Specialization today on SchoolDay Academy.