Hundreds of Birmingham City Schools educators will come together on June 8, 2026, for a districtwide professional development day focused on preparing teachers to use artificial intelligence safely, ethically and effectively in classrooms across the district.
The event, themed “Nurture. Guide. Empower.,” is designed to help teachers understand how AI can support instruction while reinforcing the importance of student privacy, academic integrity, responsible use and teacher oversight. The professional development day will give educators practical strategies they can use as they prepare for the upcoming school year and support students in an increasingly AI-enabled world.
The opening session will feature a keynote address from Richard Culatta, chief executive officer of ISTE+ASCD. The session will begin at 8:30 a.m. at A.H. Parker High School.
Birmingham City Schools is partnering with ISTE+ASCD and EdFarm to provide educators with high-quality professional learning focused on artificial intelligence, instructional innovation and responsible technology integration. ISTE+ASCD brings national expertise in digital learning, instructional leadership and effective technology use in schools. EdFarm, a Birmingham-based education innovation organization, works with educators and communities to expand access to future-ready learning experiences and technology-centered instruction.
Throughout the day, teachers will participate in hands-on sessions tailored to the developmental and instructional needs of students from early learning through high school. Educators will explore how AI can help strengthen lesson planning, support differentiated instruction, increase student engagement, promote creativity and critical thinking, and prepare students for success in college, careers and civic life.
Teachers will leave with practical tools and classroom-ready strategies, including sample AI prompts, ideas for age-appropriate classroom activities, guidance for using AI to support lesson design, strategies for personalizing instruction, approaches for helping students evaluate AI-generated content, and recommendations for maintaining responsible use of technology. Sessions also will address cybersecurity, student data privacy, academic integrity and safeguards for ensuring AI is used as a support for teaching and learning — not a replacement for educator judgment or student thinking.
Session topics will include AI prompting, MagicSchool AI, virtual reality and interactive learning, learning management systems, AI in middle and high school classrooms, AI policy, cybersecurity and responsible technology integration. Through the district’s partnership with ISTE+ASCD and EdFarm, educators will gain resources and professional insight that can be thoughtfully applied in classrooms across Birmingham City Schools.
“Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept; it is becoming part of the tools our educators and students encounter every day,” said Dr. Mark Sullivan, superintendent of Birmingham City Schools. “Our responsibility is to ensure teachers understand how to use AI in ways that strengthen instruction, protect student privacy, maintain academic integrity and preserve the human relationships that remain essential to teaching and learning.”
The professional development experience supports the district’s commitment to innovation and aligns with Birmingham City Schools’ strategic plan, “Success Starts Here.” By investing in teacher preparation and partnering with nationally recognized leaders in educational technology and innovation, the district is helping educators guide students in using technology as a tool for learning, creativity, problem-solving and future readiness.
As Birmingham City Schools educators close out one school year, they are already preparing to make the next one stronger. Through collaboration, professional learning and a shared commitment to responsible innovation, BCS teachers are demonstrating that preparing students for the future begins with empowering the educators who serve them every day.
Members of the media are encouraged to visit https://www.bcsit.org to learn more about the professional development session topics, times and locations.