Future of Education: AI, Innovation, and Community with Jerry Almendarez

More Than A Test

In this episode, Jerry Almendarez, the dynamic Superintendent of the Santa Ana School District, shares his visionary insights on transforming education through innovation and community engagement.

Jerry recounts how social media platforms like TikTok introduced him to emerging technologies such as OpenAI and ChatGPT, emphasizing the urgent need for public education to adapt to these innovations swiftly. He discusses the value of piloting AI platforms to enhance educational experiences and combat the mundane administrative tasks that often burden teachers, freeing them to engage in more meaningful interactions with students.

Join us for this insightful episode as we discuss the future of education, the role of leadership in fostering trust, and the transformative power of innovation and community in creating a more inclusive and effective learning environment.

Timestamps

00:00 Leverage innovation for efficiency and engagement.

06:07 Listening sessions revealed frustration, AI offers a solution.

09:28 Sophia's role has changed, still useful.

13:02 Shifting leadership style to build trust.

15:15 Adapted quickly to engage the community during lockdown.

17:38 Improving adult interaction and academic performance in schools.

22:17 Teachers and community support during personal crises.

25:26 Moved after a long tenure, seeking a new challenge.

30:08 Regret not learning a language, but still bilingual.

30:53 Community support, language barriers in real-time innovation.

34:41 Embracing innovation through open-mindedness and learning.

37:51 Exploring AI platforms and their educational potential.

42:11 Maintaining relevancy, community focus, and strategic foresight.

Connect with Jerry Almendarez

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-almendarez-916437b1

Website: https://www.saisd.net/

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About More Than a Test

Our goal is to take a hard look at the shortcomings in literacy education and tech while still finding a sense of hope in what's possible in education through learning and technology.

Our guests include non-profit leaders, tech CEOs, state and district leadership, research leaders from top institutions, and a few teachers with stories that might bring you to tears.

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0JWhVG2nXZfC3FxOviFoR0.

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-than-a-test/id1685012543.

Listen on Other Platforms: https://more-than-a-test.captivate.fm/

About Amira Learning

Amira is the world’s first intelligent reading assistant that provides personalized tutoring to students at school, after school, or at home. Students working with Amira experience significant improvements in their reading fluency.

About your Host, Laura Glaab

Laura Glaab is a VP of Strategy at Amira Learning. She is a lifetime educator following behind educator parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

She's worked as a teacher and leader in public, private, and charter schools in places as far as India and as close to home as Boulder, Colorado. She holds degrees from Stanford, the University of Wyoming, and Kellogg School of Management.

Everyone should read Saint Joan by George Bernard Shaw and the entire Piggie and Elephant Collection by Mo Willems.

Connect with Laura

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-glaab/

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Visit Amira Learning: https://www.amiralearning.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amira-learning

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmiraLearning

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Produced by Old Soul: https://bit.ly/3KuYfrD