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«Back to all edWebinarsAI Literacy for Learners: High-Level Strategies for Preparing Students for a Digital Workforce
Thursday, September 17, 2026 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EDT
Presented by Meenoo Rami, AI and EdTech Product Leader, Author, and Ex-Microsoft; and Monica Cougan, Global Education Leader
Sponsored by Discovery Education
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This edWebinar explores how foundational AI literacy prepares students for a rapidly evolving digital workforce and supports broader career-connected learning across STEM, CTE, and cross-curricular instruction. In this third session of Future-Ready Pathways Series: Connecting Students to Careers, educators will examine high-level strategies for helping students understand what AI is, how it shapes modern industries, and why responsible use matters for all learners—not just those pursuing technical fields.
We’ll highlight how educator resources can support this work by providing accessible explainers, hands-on activities, and real-world examples that help students build confidence and curiosity around AI. The session emphasizes instructional approaches that make AI literacy meaningful, relevant, and developmentally appropriate across grade bands.
What educators will learn:
- Why foundational AI literacy matters for all students as they navigate an increasingly digital world
- High-level strategies for teaching core AI concepts without requiring technical expertise or coding backgrounds
- Ways AI resources support cross-curricular instruction in STEM, computer science, humanities, and career exploration
- Approaches to responsible and ethical AI use that build critical thinking, digital citizenship, and media literacy
- Techniques for sparking curiosity through inquiry-based, hands-on activities that demystify AI
- Methods for connecting AI skills to future careers across industries such as healthcare, engineering, business, creative arts, and public service
This edWebinar will be of interest to K-12 teachers, librarians, school counselors, career coordinators, curriculum and instruction coordinators, school and district leaders, and education technology leaders.
This edWebinar is part of Future-Ready Pathways Series: Connecting Students to Careers.
About the Presenters
Meenoo Rami has spent her years in the classroom leveraging technology to benefit her students and her years in the tech sector advocating for teachers and students. She is a National Board Certified Teacher and National Writing Project teacher–consultant who taught English at the Science Leadership Academy and other Philadelphia public schools for a decade. She helped teachers refine their practice as a Gates Foundation Teaching Fellow, led Minecraft Education, and supported teachers and schools at Microsoft. She has built and led education and AI products used by millions of learners, bringing a classroom teacher’s perspective to the design of technology that supports real learning. Meenoo is the author of A Teacher’s Guide to Using AI and Thrive: 5 Ways to (Re)Invigorate Your Teaching. She was awarded the National Council of Teachers of English’s Conference on English Leadership’s first Innovative Leadership Award.
Monica Cougan is an education and technology leader with more than 40 years of experience spanning teaching, higher education, educational technology, curriculum, professional learning, strategic partnerships, and organizational leadership. Throughout her career, she has worked at the intersection of education, technology, innovation, and relationships, helping schools and organizations turn new ideas and technologies into meaningful opportunities for educators and students.
Monica has held leadership and consulting roles with organizations such as Jostens Learning, Lightspan, CILC, ENA, CatchOn, and Participate Learning. Her work has included digital learning, technology integration, professional development, data-informed decision-making, global education, bilingual learning, and emerging technologies, including AI.
Today, Monica leads Cougans Partnerships LLC, an independent consulting and partnership practice focused on supporting educational organizations, leaders, and innovative companies with strategic relationships, growth opportunities, and leadership development.
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Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-aligned digital curriculum resources, engaging content, and professional learning for K-12 classrooms. Through its award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia resources, and the largest professional learning network of its kind, Discovery Education is transforming teaching and learning and improving academic achievement around the globe.
