Brave Leadership: Shaping Education with AI, Innovation, and Vision with Yong Zhao

   

Topics: Curriculum and Instruction, Health and Wellness, Middle Level, Principal Pipeline, Professional Learning, School Culture and Climate, Student Engagement

“AI is a tool that transforms schools.”

Yong Zhao


In this episode, Yong Zhao, professor at the University of Kansas, will explore how education leaders can embrace artificial intelligence (AI), foster innovation, and shift their focus toward bold, transformative leadership in schools.

Hosted by NAESP member, author, and keynote speaker Adam Welcome, NAESP Leadership Conversations returns for Season 2, offering fresh insights and professional growth opportunities from top educational thought leaders. In each conversation, you’ll discover innovative strategies to enhance your leadership, foster collaboration, increase job satisfaction, and gain practical tools to apply in your daily work.

 Top Takeaways:

  1. Rethinking AI in Education: Schools often introduce AI with excitement but fail to integrate it effectively. AI should be used to personalize learning, not just as a traditional tool, and students need to be literate in how to use it.
  2. Stop Doing What Doesn’t Work: Many schools continue practices like traditional homework and outdated policies that no longer serve students. Problem-solving and personalized learning are more beneficial.
  3. Focus on Transformation, Not Just Improvement: School leaders often try to improve existing systems without true transformation. The goal should be to innovate in ways that fundamentally change how education is delivered.
  4. Strategic Use of AI: AI can free educators from repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on human-centered teaching. By relying on AI for some instructional work, principals can focus on leadership and strategy.
  5. The Role of Students: Students should be seen as agents of change and the future. In the age of AI, we need to cultivate greatness and develop their unique abilities to solve real-world problems.
  6. High-Value Initiatives: Schools should focus on initiatives that they can manage well, ensuring quality over quantity. Mediocrity isn’t an option in the rapidly evolving educational landscape.
  7. Bravery and Focus in Leadership: School leaders should focus on tasks only they can do, empowering staff to handle other responsibilities. This allows leaders to stay strategic and focused on big-picture transformation.
  8. Creating Value through Uniqueness: Greatness lies in translating unique qualities into solutions for others. Schools must teach students to use their uniqueness to solve problems, fostering innovation.
  9. Building an Optimal Team: Successful teams thrive on listening and diversity. Diverse perspectives are crucial to creating a well-rounded, innovative environment where ideas complement each other.
  10. Staying Ahead of the Curve: School leaders must remain aware of changes happening outside of education and embrace new ideas. The current moment calls for true transformation, not just minor adjustments.

Reflection Questions:

  • How can we ensure that AI in our schools is not just an exciting tool but a transformative one that personalizes learning and enhances student engagement?
  • What outdated practices, such as traditional homework, should we reconsider, and how can we prioritize problem-solving and personalized learning to better prepare students for the future?
  • Are we truly transforming our schools, or are we simply making surface-level improvements? How can we focus on bold, innovative changes that align with the evolving needs of students and staff?
  • As school leaders, are we delegating tasks effectively to focus on high-impact areas where only we can make a difference, such as strategic decision-making and fostering a culture of innovation?
  • How are we cultivating and leveraging the unique strengths and perspectives of our team members and students to create an environment of problem-solving and continuous growth?