AI and the Future of Education

Nikole Blanchard is the director of innovation and technology for the Dunham School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and co-president of the ISTE Board of Directors. She’s also the co-founder of the Private School Colloquium, and a board member for Baton Rouge's Edcamp and Louisiana IT Symposium. A passionate digital innovator, Blanchard is a National Board Certified Teacher, Apple Distinguished Educator, Google Innovator, Apple Teacher, Swift Playground Teacher, Google Certified Trainer, PBS Learning Media Innovator and Microsoft Innovative Educator. A career highlight for Blanchard was sharing the stage with Apple CEO Tim Cook in 2018. She told her technology story, making history as the first non-Apple employee to speak during an Apple keynote. In 2003, Blanchard was part of a pilot program at Louisiana State University (LSU) where student teachers used laptops in the field. Blanchard was blown away by the way students' needs could be met with technology. Pursuing this interest, she graduated from Louisiana State University with a master’s in educational technology.

Dr. Cathy Collins has served as a Library, Media and Technology Specialist for 23 years. She served on the MassCUE Board as PD Chair from 2015-2019, and has published her writing in journals including “EdWeek,” “Library Media Connection,” and “NEA Today." She served on the ISTE STEM PLN Leadership Team and MSLA Board. She is currently serving on the ISTE/ASCD Board of Directors, and is also a national News Literacy Project Ambassador. She has received numerous honors and awards for her work, and is passionate about STEM/STEAM, News/Media Literacy and Global Education.

Carla M. Jefferson is the principal of the Darlington County Virtual Academy in the Darlington County School District in South Carolina. Jefferson’s motto, “Why Not Darlington?” was inspired by a colleague and motivates her to fight for digital equity, not only for the children of Darlington County, but for children everywhere. Jefferson is an Apple Distinguished Educator, Google Certified Educator/Trainer/Innovator, and PBS Lead Digital Innovator.. Her work has been highlighted in several publications, including ISTE’s Empowered Learner, Tech & Learning Magazine and District Administrator. Jefferson is currently a member of the Google Equity Board and an ISTE board member.

Sophia Mendoza is an innovative systems-level collaborator with nearly 30 years of experience as an education leader in the Los Angeles Unified School District and a member of the ISTE Board of Directors. As the director of LAUSD’s Instructional Technology Initiative, she leads computer science education and digital citizenship implementation. Mendoza cultivates leaders and learners for the digital world, recognized as the Latina Technology Champion, CUE Administrator of the Year, and for Best Overall Implementation of Technology by Tech & Learning. She is also the Association of California School Administrators Region 16 Technology Administrator, expanding instructional technology opportunities for all students.

Matthew Mingle is the superintendent of Warren Township School District in New Jersey and the co-president of the ASCD + ISTE Board of Directors. He has also served as an adjunct professor at Seton Hall, Rutgers and Montclair State universities. Mingle's leadership and innovative approaches in education have been widely recognized. In 2023, he was named the Somerset County, New Jersey, Superintendent of the Year, a testament to his commitment to education and the impact of his work.

The Somerset County Association of School Administrators highlighted Mingle's dedication to the children, families and staff of Warren Township Schools. They particularly noted his effective leadership during the COVID pandemic, emphasizing his creative problem-solving skills and his efforts to prioritize in-person learning during a challenging period for educational institutions. Mingle has also been involved in various educational organizations and initiatives, significantly contributing to the field. He’s a member and the treasurer of the Somerset County Association of School Administrators and the former board president of the Morris-Union Jointure Commission and New Jersey ASCD.

In addition to his administrative and leadership roles, Mingle's contributions to the field of education include presenting at national and state conferences on topics related to whole child approaches in education and “Lessons From Gander.” This presentation uses the inspiring stories of how the people of Gander, Newfoundland, Canada, responded to the unexpected arrival of thousands of airline passengers on September 11, 2001, to emphasize the importance of empathy in schools and how times of adversity can provide the best opportunities for positive cultural development.

Dr. Noris Price is the superintendent of Baldwin County School District in Georgia. Under her leadership, the District has implemented instructional initiatives that have resulted in improved student performance. Price has served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, associate superintendent, deputy superintendent and adjunct professor. She was selected Georgia Superintendent of the Year in 2022 and finalist for the 2022 National Superintendent of the Year. Price holds a bachelor’s degree from Wilmington College, a master’s degree from Lehman College of the City University of New York, and a doctorate in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University.