Salem Central School District’s March Superintendent’s Day had a future-focused purpose, offering professional development sessions on how artificial intelligence (AI) can be strategically and thoughtfully integrated into the district’s work.
“We had many conversations about how we can utilize AI and the different platforms it exists in to enhance our instructional work. Building AI literacy begins with professional development for teachers, equipping them to leverage these tools to meaningfully enhance the student learning experience,” said Salem Superintendent Julie A. Collier.
During the day, staff learned about AI applications that have been added to the district’s current instructional tools, including AI integrations in the graphic design platform Canva, Google products, and the K-12 reading aid Sora.
The professional development sessions emphasized using AI to reduce teacher workload by automating repetitive tasks, aiding with content creation, and providing support monitoring progress. By streamlining these responsibilities, educators can devote more time to instruction and building relationships with students.
“AI can take care of the minutia involved in the workday, freeing up time to focus on what really matters, building relationships with students and making sure they have the resources they need,” said Laurie Guyon, WSWHE BOCES Lead Coordinator for Instructional Technology Programs, who led several professional development sessions for the district.
Even within a single classroom, a range of reading levels places additional demands on staff who must adapt lessons to meet diverse learning needs while still delivering instruction. AI can help generate lesson variations quickly, giving educators more time to support and connect with their students.
“We are currently in the exploration phase of the district’s AI implementation plan. Along with our neighboring districts, we are working with BOCES as we develop technology guidelines for students and staff around the use of AI. At Salem, we want to enhance and support their work and provide resources that strengthen it, so the question is how we can best do that?” said Collier.