This week I joined the CoSN CTO Academy for a site visit to Wichita Public Schools in Kansas. I serve on the CoSN board, and although my daily work at Funds For Learning keeps me close to schools, I rarely get the chance to step inside, listen, and learn alongside students and educators. This visit was a gift.
We met district leaders, principals, Wichita’s A.I. officer, teachers, and—best of all—students. I saw A.I. used to support learning in practical ways. I watched students take agency over their projects: harvesting sunflowers they had cultivated, running 3-D printers, and explaining their choices like designers, not just test-takers. These weren’t staged moments. They were ordinary snapshots of a school day—and they were inspiring.
What stood out
- Student engagement was real. Students weren’t completing tasks; they were owning them. The language of “my model,” “our test,” and “here’s what we changed” was everywhere.
- A.I. as a learning tool, not a shortcut. Teachers showed how A.I. helps differentiate instruction, spark ideas, and give quick feedback—without replacing thinking.
- Leaders building capacity. From central office to classroom, I saw an emphasis on coaching, tools, and time—giving teachers what they need to thrive.
- A culture of agency. Students were being equipped as lifelong learners: curious, resourceful, and confident.
What I believe (and saw confirmed)
- Every student has great potential.
- Every student deserves a place to learn and grow alongside other learners.
- Every teacher should have the resources, training, and preparation to thrive in their mission.
- The best days for education are ahead of us – not buried in an idealised past – and we all have a role to play.
Why this matters to our work
At Funds For Learning, our mission is to transform students’ lives. Connectivity, tools, and training are not abstract line items; they are the rails on which these learning moments run. When schools have what they need, students build, test, revise, and surprise us.
A simple invitation
If you haven’t been inside a school recently, go (with permission and respect for learning time). Arrange an opportunity to walk the halls. Ask a student to show you their project. Ask a teacher what helps most. You might be surprised by what you see — and encouraged by what’s possible.
Thank you to the Wichita Public Schools team and to the CoSN CTO Academy for opening doors and sharing your work. I left inspired, informed, and even more committed to the mission.
