Guides for Newly Appointed School Administrators

In the rapidly evolving landscape of education, school leaders are tasked with addressing the inequities of the AI digital divide and reimagining learning spaces to empower students. One district has gone about protecting school and staff data by addressing the issue in two distinct ways, and adding AI to a school's administrative systems can help save both time and money.

The best practices and tips for school leaders, as shared by education leaders and Tech & Learning's advisors and Innovative Leader Award winners, include several key strategies.

Digital Communication Best Practices

Utilize two-way communication tools such as secure messaging platforms and SMS services with clear opt-in procedures to keep families engaged and informed. Implement automated alerts for attendance, reminders, and assignments, and maintain structured communication logs for accountability and continuity across staff changes. Integrate multilingual support via automatic translation tools and community bilingual liaisons to effectively engage diverse families. Use analytics from newsletters and digital platforms to refine communication content and strategies, enhancing relevance and engagement by encouraging family input and interaction.

Staff Management Tips

Foster a culture of professional development and collaboration focused on technology use and innovative teaching practices. Encourage staff to adopt digital tools consistently and provide training for effective use. Promote clear response protocols for digital communication, expecting timely replies and escalation workflows for urgent issues.

Promoting Digital Citizenship

Educate students not only in using digital tools but also in critical skills like AI literacy, critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability, preparing them for a future workforce transformed by AI and automation. Model and encourage responsible digital engagement through secure, moderated messaging systems with options for reporting inappropriate content to ensure safe interactions among students, staff, and families. Incorporate project-based learning and problem-solving challenges that develop leadership, collaboration, and ethical use of technology.

Additional Insights from Innovative Leaders

Leaders like Nicki Slaugh highlight the value of integrating personalized, competency-based learning supported by technology to empower students to take ownership of their learning at their own pace, backed by standards-aligned tracking systems to measure progress clearly. Emphasizing a joyful, student-centered culture alongside high academic standards helps create balanced educational environments that foster both achievement and engagement.

In conclusion, effective digital communication and staff management are rooted in creating secure, inclusive, and responsive systems, while promoting digital citizenship involves equipping students with the skills to thrive ethically and creatively in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. These recommendations come from a synthesis of contemporary education leaders’ experiences, award-winning practice models, and advisory insights from Tech & Learning and related education technology specialists.

The Midwest 2024: Regional Leadership Summit, focusing on teaching in the age of AI, offers an immersive professional learning experience for school leaders seeking to stay at the forefront of education technology. By being a lifelong learner, an education leader can create a win-win opportunity, ensuring that everyone benefits from the transformative power of technology in education.

The teacher can utilize secure messaging platforms and SMS services for two-way communication with students and families, creating a more engaged and informed learning environment.
Implementing AI in a school's administrative systems can save time and money for staff, making education management more efficient.
A school's curriculum should not only teach students how to use digital tools but also equip them with critical skills like AI literacy, critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability for career-development in the AI-transformed future workforce.
Adopting digital tools consistently requires professional development and collaboration among staff, fostering a culture where they feel supported and empowered.
School leaders should address the AI digital divide by implementing strategies like integrating multilingual support and refining communication content and strategies based on data analytics.
The Midwest 2024: Regional Leadership Summit provides an opportunity for school leaders to engage in education technology-focused professional development, staying at the forefront of the rapidly evolving landscape of education.
By adopting personalized, competency-based learning strategies backed by standards-aligned tracking systems, education leaders can empower students to take ownership of their learning at their own pace, leading to a more balanced and joyful educational experience.