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The State of AI in Education: A Journey from Resistance to Transformation
Wednesday, April 23, 2025 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EDT
Presented by Mary Strain, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Strategy, US EDU, Amazon Web Services; Anthony Salcito, Chief Institution Business Officer, Varsity Tutors; and Brian Galvin, Chief Academic Officer, Varsity Tutors
Sponsored by Varsity Tutors
Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.
AI has rapidly evolved from a futuristic concept to an integral part of education. It is no longer a distant innovation—it’s actively shaping schools, districts, and learning experiences. Join this edLeader Panel for an in-depth discussion on the current state of AI in education. We explore the real-world impact of AI in schools today, trends shaping its future, and the opportunities and challenges it presents for educators, administrators, and students.
In this session, we explore how schools and districts are navigating the four stages of AI adoption—Resistance, Concern, Adoption, and Embed—and what that journey looks like in practice. We also dive into key trends shaping AI’s role in education today, including:
- Adaptive Learning and Personalization – Platforms that tailor instruction in real time based on student needs
- Teacher and Administrator Support – AI tools that reduce workload and enhance instructional planning
- AI for All Learners – Ensuring access, inclusivity, and positive outcomes across diverse student populations
- AI Policy and Regulation – The evolving legal and ethical frameworks guiding responsible AI implementation
AI is already changing the way we teach, learn, and manage education. The key question is: How do we harness its power effectively and responsibly? Join us to gain actionable insights into leveraging AI for student success and institutional growth. This recorded edLeader Panel is of interest to K-12 teachers, school leaders, district leaders, and education technology leaders.
About the Presenters
Mary Strain leads strategy for artificial intelligence and machine learning for US education at AWS. Mary began her career as a middle school teacher in the Bronx, NY. Since that time, she has held leadership roles in education and public sector technology organizations as an award-winning curriculum developer, product lead, and vice president of business development. Mary has advised K12, higher education, technology companies, and government on innovative policies and practices leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities, competency-based assessment, and micro-credentials to advance equity, access, and agency. She has worked as an advisor to The Education Design Studio at The University of Pennsylvania, The Coalition of Schools Educating Boys of Color, The State of NJ AI Task Force, and the California State University AI Workforce Acceleration Board. Mary has been on the leading edge of bringing innovative solutions to serve the public interest for two decades.
Anthony Salcito, Chief Institution Business Officer, leads Varsity Tutors for Schools and is responsible for Nerdy’s efforts to support institutions as they work to transform learning opportunities for students and educators across a range of offerings. Prior to joining Nerdy, Anthony served as Vice President of Worldwide Education at Microsoft. In this role, he was responsible for driving Microsoft’s education engagement and relationships globally, including long-term partnerships with schools, universities, and other public sector customers. Throughout his Microsoft career, he helped launch many of the company’s cornerstone education programs and is recognized as a champion for teachers and a global education thought leader.
Brian Galvin is the Chief Academic Officer for Varsity Tutors, the nation’s largest live learning platform. A lifelong educator with a master’s degree in education from the University of Michigan, he has taught thousands of students, trained hundreds of instructors, and authored dozens of lesson books. At Varsity Tutors, he oversees the development of live academic and enrichment classes, adaptive assessments, and on-demand learning programs. He is also creator and host of the company’s StarCourse lessons—taught with astronauts, Olympians, TV hosts, and other distinguished teachers—and Test Prep 4 All series. His educational videos have over three million views on YouTube.
Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.
Join the Tutoring for Schools community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, and receive invitations to upcoming edLeader Panels.
Varsity Tutors is the leading next-generation tutoring and intervention platform trusted by over 1,000 school districts nationwide. Combining personalized live instruction with advanced AI technology, our unified platform delivers targeted, high-dosage tutoring, instant on-demand academic support, adaptive assessments, immersive live classes, comprehensive test preparation, and AI tools for teachers that enhance personalized learning, save teachers valuable time, and reduce burnout. Designed to accelerate student learning, close achievement gaps, and streamline educators’ workloads, our platform includes intelligent tutor matching, real-time analytics, and adaptive learning paths. We provide measurable results—students achieve twice the proficiency growth compared to traditional interventions. Learn how we’re empowering educators and transforming student outcomes at varsitytutors.com/schools.
