From Saving Time to Creating Time for What Matters Most
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping education, challenging school leaders to look beyond the technology and ask a more important question: How can AI help us do what matters most for students?
Today’s WNYESC Leadership Program at the Sweet Home CSD Community Room brought together over 30 educational leaders and researchers to explore AI’s opportunities, ethical responsibilities, and practical applications in schools. Our Director of Programming, Dr. Jeff Rabey, deftly facilitated the discussion with questions and prompts organized by category and tailored to the unique perspectives of our panelists. They included Dr. Brian Graham, Superintendent of Grand Island CSD; Mr. Mustafa Ersoy, Chief Talent Officer for the BuffSci/RocSci Charter School Network; Dr. Bill Bohen, Maple East Elementary Principal, Dr. Laura Samulski-Peters, Assistant Superintendent for Shared Accountability; and Dr. Kristen Smiegalski, a scholar-practitioner and SUNY Buffalo researcher on AI.
A central theme emerged: AI should not simply help educators save time; it should create time for more meaningful work. From streamlining human resources responsibilities and instructional planning to improving family communication and providing translation support, AI can help educators focus on relationships, teaching, and student learning.
The discussion also emphasized the importance of responsible implementation. Protecting student and staff data, establishing clear policies, maintaining human oversight, and ensuring transparency are essential. A consistent concept of clear boundaries or guardrails emerged to provide guidance for approved, effective use of the technology.
Panelists challenged leaders to rethink assessment practices, shifting the focus from simply identifying AI-assisted cheating to evaluating students’ learning processes through checkpoints, revised assessments, and opportunities to demonstrate understanding. They also stressed the need for consistent expectations across classrooms and schools.
Ultimately, effective AI integration requires more than a policy. It demands collaboration among administrators, teachers, students, families, librarians, and technology specialists. There was a consensus among panelists to utilize a ground-up approach to develop the guardrails. Rather than simply adopt and publish a policy- take a suggested policy or protocol and engage a stakeholder group- including students- consider the draft and suggest additions or revisions. Like any leadership task, including the voices of the entire community will go a long way towards successful adoption and consistent practice. An emphasis was also placed on the need for training for staff members. By investing in AI literacy, professional development, and cross-stakeholder leadership teams, districts can build trust within the community.
A final prompt asked the panelists to consider in one word or sentence- the most important consideration for leaders as they take on artificial intelligence in their school. The gist of this roundtable was that educational leaders must embrace innovation while remaining grounded in their values. The goal is not to adopt AI because it is new, but to use it wisely, ethically, and consistently to strengthen teaching, support educators, and improve outcomes for every student.
We had a terrific morning! Our thanks for Dr. Mike Ginestre for providing a great facility and Dr. Rabey for his work in developing and facilitating the session. Our panelists were fantastic and several noted how much they learned as well. Most importantly, thanks to the leaders that gathered to learn and grow together. The times when they were given time talk and reflect with others was never enough.
Our next session on November 17th kicks off our series on Portrait of a Graduate and NY Inspires at Michael's Banquet Facility. On December 15th, the AI series continues with a session on the legal and ethical considerations in the use of Artificial Intelligence. You can get more information and register for these events at our website wnyesc.org.