WE CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH!

January 24, 2026 Innovation Celebration Keynote

Designing with AI: Creating Equitable, Student-Led Learning Experiences

Teachers are under pressure to meet a wide range of learner needs, and AI can help lighten that load. Learner variability isn’t a problem to solve; it’s the reality we design for. This keynote explores how AI strengthens three essential parts of the design process: collecting and interpreting data to guide instruction, planning intentional supports that match what students need in the moment, and creating learning pathways that nurture student agency. We’ll explore how AI can help teachers design with more confidence in less time and support a shift toward students taking more active, student-led roles in the classroom.

Dr. Catlin Tucker is a bestselling author, international trainer, and keynote speaker. She was named Teacher of the Year in 2010 in Sonoma County, where she taught for 16 years. Catlin earned her BA in English literature from the University of California at Los Angeles. She earned her English credential and Master’s in Education at the University of California at Santa Barbara. In 2020, Catlin earned her doctorate in learning technologies at Pepperdine University. Catlin designs and facilitates professional learning to help leaders and teachers cultivate the mindset, skillset, and toolset needed to design student-centered and student-led learning environments that position students as active agents. She encourages educators to leverage technology strategically, shifting from experts at the front of the room to facilitators working directly with students. Catlin also collaborates with leadership teams to build a professional learning infrastructure that supports this shift, weaving professional growth into the fabric of the school.