AI is also being positioned as a resource for teachers to reduce workload and increase efficiency.“As teachers’ jobs grow more complex, we want them to see AI as a time-saver,” Moyer explains. “It can streamline lesson planning and other responsibilities, giving teachers a bit of their lives back.” The district has launched an innovation grant program to encourage fresh ideas, allowing teachers to apply for funding to implement creative solutions in their classrooms. Boshnack adds that the district has taken structural steps to align its technology strategy with its future-focused vision. “We reorganized to create seven Future Forward Teachers (FFTs) on special assignment,” she explains. These technology coaches are spread across the district, with one assigned to each elementary, middle, and high school. “Their role is twofold: to coach teachers on integrating technology to enhance learning and to act as STEM facilitators, particularly at the elementary level.” Technology is being utilized not only to improve classroom instruction but also to personalize it. “Tools like Magic School or ChatGPT allow teachers to customize lessons faster and more effectively,” Boshnack explains. The FFTs also help educators leverage real-time data to tailor their teaching strategies.“It’s about using data to inform instruction, addressing the needs of students who aren’t meeting standards, and challenging those who already are.” INVESTING IN SPACES AND PARTNERSHIPS Northport-East Northport Union Free School District has directed its capital infrastructure investments toward transforming existing spaces into innovative, collaborative environments that mirror the needs of modern education.“We’ve focused on renovating our spaces to align with the educational philosophy we’re advancing,” says Moyer.“Declining enrollment has allowed the district to reimagine underutilized areas, such as converting a high school room into a Google-inspired modernized space with equipment that supports teamwork and project-based learning,” he adds. The district has also outfitted all elementary schools with STEM rooms, eliminating the need for mobile STEM labs and ensuring year-round access to handson learning. “We’ve increased the frequency with which kids can engage in STEM activities,” says Boshnack.“For example, students use virtual reality to design sculptures in the air and then bring them to life with 3D printing.” New tools, like CNC routers and lasers, have further enhanced these experiences, bridging creativity with technical skill development. The district is working to transform its libraries into true media centers. “We’re scaling up virtual reality and encouraging our media specialists to drive this 8 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 02
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