AI + EDUCATION LEADERSHIP COLLABORATIVE
SESSION DETAILS – DALLAS-FORT WORTH
The Collaborative is designed to support executive education leaders like you in this new AI era —
with the mindsets, strategies, and community needed to navigate this moment with clarity and purpose.
Building Better Operations with AI
Mabel Peters Caruth Center at Communities Foundation of Texas
5500 Caruth Haven Lane, Dallas, Texas 75225
AI offers education leaders powerful tools to reduce administrative burden and operational costs, but successful implementation requires more than just adopting new technology. It demands strategic thinking about where efficiency gains are worth the investment and how to preserve human connection in the process.
Through real-world examples from early adopter districts and hands-on frameworks, leaders will leave prepared to make informed decisions about AI in operations that enhance both efficiency and organizational culture.
AGENDA
8:30 – 9:00 a.m. – Check-in & Breakfast
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. – Welcome & Opening Keynote
The AI Playbook: From District Policy to Implementation and Scale
Speakers: Jeremy Bunkley, Google Education, Florida | Clay Smith, Google Education, Texas
10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Breakout Sessions – Round 1
11:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. – Lunch
12:20 – 1:20 p.m. – Fireside Chat
Speakers: Paymon Rouhanifard, CEO, Timely | Matt Abbott, CEO, Wayside Schools (Austin, TX)
1:35 – 2:50 p.m. – Breakout Sessions – Round 2
3:05 – 4:00 p.m. Afternoon Keynote & Closing Remarks
Ready for Tomorrow? Unlocking Your Institution’s Potential with AI
Speaker: Clay Smith, Solutions Engineer, Google Education, Texas
Breakout Sessions
From Outdated HR Systems to AI-Ready Talent Operations
Speakers: Danielle Pickens, CEO and Dr. Alfred C. Dunn II, HR Partner – Urban Schools Human Capital Academy
District HR systems play a critical role in how talent is recruited, supported, and sustained. Manual data entry, paper forms, and information spread across multiple systems can create unnecessary friction for candidates, staff, and HR teams. This session explores how districts can modernize workforce operations, thoughtfully incorporate AI where it adds value, and strengthen strategic talent management in service of better outcomes for students.
Driving K12 Operational Efficiency with Data Science & AI
Speaker: Janie Scanlon, Ph.D. and Nina Atkin, Elevant Strategies
Central office operations play a critical role in how resources, time, and staff capacity are managed across K12 systems. This session explores how executive leaders can thoughtfully use data science and AI to improve operational efficiency, strengthen data-informed decision-making, and manage change in ways that are practical and sustainable.
Deep Dive into Notebook LM
Speaker: Jeremy Bunkley, Google Education, Texas
The ability to synthesize complex information quickly and accurately supports better leadership decisions. This session explores how tools like NotebookLM can support analysis, synthesis, and preparation using AI grounded in trusted source materials. Participants will examine practical leadership and operational use cases and consider how tools like this fit within broader approaches to decision-making, governance, and staff workflows.
Working Session for Problems of Practice for Playlab/MAYA Districts
Cedar Hill ISD, Denton ISD, DeSoto ISD, New Heights, and Treetops School International
Working Session for Problems of Practice for MGT
ESC Region 11, Grand Prairie ISD, Harmony Public Schools North Texas District, IDEA Public Schools, Lancaster ISD, Terrell ISD
Speakers and moderators
Kerri Briggs, Ph.D.
Jeremy Bunkley
Clay Smith
Janie Scanlon, Ph.D.
Nina Atkin
Danielle Pickens
Dr. Alfred Dunn II
UPCOMING SESSION
session five
How to Stay Human-centered in the AI Era
PREVIOUS SESSION DETAILS
The Big Picture: AI Literacy, Regulation, Policy & Governance
Session 1: September 29-30, 2025
Mabel Peters Caruth Center at Communities Foundation of Texas
5500 Caruth Haven Lane, Dallas, Texas 75225
Breakout Sessions
GenAI Literacy – Amanda Bickerstaff, AI for Education
Policy Updates: HB 149 & Federal Policy – Joanna Warren, Director of Policy & Advocacy, EDTX; Renzo Soto, Executive Director, Texas & South TechNet
Problem of Practice Mentorship for Districts – Digital Promise, MGT, Playlab/MAYA, Jill Nyhus
Problem of Practice Mentorship for Nonprofits – Amy Desler; Duane Dankesreiter, Senior Vice President of Research and Innovation, Dallas Regional Chamber
The Future of Work in the AI Era: What Education Leaders Need to Know
Session 2: December 2, 2025
Mabel Peters Caruth Center at Communities Foundation of Texas
5500 Caruth Haven Lane, Dallas, Texas 75225
Breakout Sessions
The AI Leadership Playbook: Designing Your Organization’s Change Journey – Sung-Ae Yang, Co-Founder & Lead Consultant, Sage Pathways
How AI is Reshaping Non-Degree Credentials – Dr. David Deggs, Senior Director, Higher Education and Workforce Programs, Educate Texas; Robert Vaughn, Chief Innovation Officer, NPower; Dr. Brenden Mesch, Provost, Technical Campus Collin College; Yaw Asante-Bio, Senior Director, Strategic Growth & Impact, Bold Idea
GenAI As Your Writing Partner – Sarah Dillard, Founder, You & AI
AI in the Classroom: Opportunities & Trade-Offs
Session 3: January 13, 2026
Pegasus Park
3000 Pegasus Park Drive
Dallas, TX 75247
Breakout Sessions
Empowering Math Teachers with AI: Tools, Ethics, and Student Learning – Dr. Candace Walkington, Annette and Harold Simmons Centennial Chair and Professor, Department of Teaching & Learning, Southern Methodist University
Using Cognitive Science to Leverage AI for Learning – Sarah Dillard, Founder, You & AI
From Artificial to Assistive Intelligence: the AI, UDL, and Accessibility Connection – Bryan Dean, CAST
resources
- Adaptability as the New AI Literacy: AI Past, Present and Future (Dr. Jace Hargis)
- AI to Drive Learning Growth (Digital Promise)
- AI Landscape and Lessons Learned from Early Adopters (Bree Dusseault)
- AI Legislation from the 89th Legislative Session
- AI Policy Cheat Sheet (Educate Texas)
- AI Policy Updates and Implications
- Build AI Tools for Your Context (Playlab)
- Checklist for Sparking Organizational Learning (Sage-Pathways)
- Driving K12 Operational Efficiency with Data Science and AI (Elevant) - full
- Driving K12 Operational Efficiency with Data Science and AI (Elevant) - handout
- Driving Math and Reading Gains with AI (Digital Promise)
- The Future of Work in the AI Era - GenAI (John Bailey)
- Generative AI Literacy (Amanda Bickerstaff)
- Launching AI Readiness Across Your District (Sage Pathways)
- Texas-Talent-Accelerator (Ben Magill)
- Thrival Skills for the Age of AI (Pat Yongpradit)
- Upskilling for the AI Era: Strategic Professional Growth for Education Leaders and Staff (Getting Smart)
MEET THE COLLABORATIVE MEMBERS
This Collaborative brings together a powerful cross-section of public school districts, charter networks, and mission-driven nonprofits — all united by a drive to lead with vision and collaborate for impact.
Castleberry ISD
Cedar Hill ISD
Crowley ISD
Dallas ISD
Denton ISD
Desoto ISD
ESC Regional Center 11
Gainesville ISD
Grand Prairie ISD
Harmony Public Schools - North Texas
Idea Public Schools
Irving iSD
Lancaster ISD
New Heights Adult HS
Plano ISD
Terrell ID
Treetops School International
Uplift education
Commit Partnership
Dallas College
Girlstart
Haking innovation
REV Partnership
Rural Schools Innovation Zone
Tarrant To & Through Partnership
Teach for America - DFW
Teach Plus Texas
The Concilio
Year Up
MEET THE Advisory Board
To support this initiative, Educate Texas has assembled an exceptional group of leaders to serve as our advisors, including providing strategic guidance and subject matter expertise aligned with industry needs, educational best practices, and emerging technological developments.
Dave Copps – CEO, Worlds
Duane Dankesreiter – Senior Vice President of Research and Innovation, Dallas Regional Chamber
Dr. Jace Hargis – Chief AI Strategist, Texas Women’s University
Mayor Mattie Parker – Fort Worth
Dr. Julia Rafal-Baer – CEO, ILO Group
Amir Tabei – Chief Technology Officer, Communities Foundation of Texas
Dr. Candace Walkington – Annette and Harold Simmons Centennial Chair, Professor, in the Department of Teaching and Learning at Southern Methodist University
Program Expectations
- Session attendance: One person from each team must attend all six sessions to provide representation for each organization.
- AI Problem of Practice Mentorship: Each team (or organization represented) has the opportunity to identify a problem of practice related to AI in your organization and partner with mentors who have AI expertise. In the last session, your team will share your case study with the larger Collaborative.
- During sessions: While we ask for your full participation in the sessions, we’ll have a quiet space available if you need to step out of a session to make quick phone calls.
For any questions, please reach out to ai@cftexas.org.
SESSION DATES
- Session 1: The Big Picture: AI Literacy, regulation, Policy & Governance Sept 29-30, 2025
- Session 2: The Future of Work in the AI Era Dec 2, 2025
- Session 3: AI in the Classroom: Opportunities & Trade-Offs Jan 13, 2026
- Session 4: Building Better Operations with AI Feb 19, 2026
- Session 5: Building a Human-centered Approach & Culture of Academic Integrity April 7, 2026
- Session 6: A Path Forward: Sharing Our Learning May 5, 2026