Helping K–12 educators build practical AI skills

What happened

That’s why OpenAI Academy, in partnership with the Walton Family Foundation⁠(opens in a new window), will host a flagship AI Skills Jam for K–12 Educators this summer to offer a hands-on, high-trust environment where teachers and administrators can move from curiosity to practical use. S. cities.

Participants will also be connected to OpenAI Academy⁠(opens in a new window), a free online platform which provides resources and best practice guidance about leveraging AI, so they can continue building on what they started at the Jam. OpenAI’s goal isn’t to just host a one-day workshop; it’s to expand our relationships with educators, school system leaders, and ecosystem partners over time.

Why it matters

Through the AI Skills Jam for K–12 Educators, OpenAI Academy aims to help educators explore how AI can support teaching, planning, communication, and other day-to-day work more effectively, while helping advance AI literacy, opportunity, and responsible adoption in education.

9 hours per week, on average. Multiplied across a typical school year, that amounts to approximately six weeks of time. Teachers say they reinvest this time into things like more nuanced student feedback, individualized lesson planning, parent communication, or even getting home at a more reasonable hour.

At the AI Skills Jam, teachers and administrators will get the support they need to confidently start using and benefiting from incorporating AI into their work.

During the Jam, participants will work alongside OpenAI mentors to learn how to incorporate AI into everyday work like lesson planning, parent and staff communications, administrative tasks, and more. The sessions will be hands-on and focused on real classroom and school system needs, providing time and space to try tools, ask questions, share concerns, and build confidence.

What to watch

“Educators are at the center of helping communities understand and adapt to new technology,” said Leah Belsky, Vice President of Education at OpenAI. “Through the AI Skills Jam for K–12 Educators, we want to give teachers and school leaders practical support, trusted learning environments, and direct opportunities to shape how AI can be used responsibly in education. ”

Confirmed locations and partners for the AI Skills Jam for K–12 Educators, include: We are grateful to the districts, school systems, educators, partners and the Walton Family Foundation for helping shape this effort. Their leadership and expertise are essential to making AI useful, responsible, and accessible in education.