aiEDU builds AI Literacy and AI Readiness with educators in Minnesota, North Dakota
BEMIDJI, Minn. — aiEDU: The AI Education Project and the TIES Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM recently hosted a pair of AI Summits in Bemidji Minnesota, and New Town, North Dakota — bringing together passionate educators for focused training and conversation on building AI Literacy and AI Readiness in their school districts.
The events, which were packed with local teachers and education leaders from Minnesota and North Dakota, included workshops, presentations and professional development sessions designed to help teachers understand how to build cultivate AI Literacy and build AI Readiness in their local communities.
Educators were engaged, enthusiastic — and approaching the process with thoughtfulness.
“They’re not rushing this process of AI Literacy,” said LeNard Pitts, aiEDU Senior Programs Lead. “The participants at both summits are approaching this new initiative with care, asking thoughtful questions and exploring how it can serve themselves, their students, and their communities.
Pitts was one of two aiEDU representatives at the summits, along with Wren Hoffman, Senior Professional Learning Lead.
Pitts shared aiEDU’s overall work and district partnerships focus with participants and Hoffman facilitated professional development and training sessions for educators. The events were hosted at Bemidji State University in Minnesota and a local high school in North Dakota.
Both Hoffman and Pitts said educators’ enthusiasm and engagement for the topic stood out.
“Embracing change, especially in education, can feel overwhelming, especially when not knowing what lies ahead” Pitts said. “What stood out most to me was the enthusiasm, and the exchange of ideas and perspectives.”
Pitts added, “the insights, conversations, and collaborations I encountered reminded me that while the future may be unknown, we can still take bold steps to shape it together. It's a message I believe in that change is something to embrace, especially when we're all in it for our educators, students, and communities.”
