Data Privacy 101
What Every Teacher Needs to Know About AI Tools & Data When I first heard about data privacy, it felt like an abstract concern. Like something for IT departments to handle. But as I’ve learned, it’s also up to teachers to protect our students in the digital age, especially with the rise of generative AI…
CIO Program: A New Breed of Education Execs
KCI kicked off its first Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) program in summer 2018. Seventeen educators from across the state participated in this 27-unit program that trains educators to fill a real need at the school district level—a new breed of cabinet-level educational leaders who are also sufficiently trained in IT infrastructure. With appropriately trained leaders,…
Two Makerspace Coordinator Cohorts Graduate
Makerspaces are rapidly being implemented by schools, school districts, libraries, and community centers throughout the Bay Area, creating a need for trained staff to plan, implement, and run these spaces. KCI founded its own makerspace in 2017 and shortly after launched a new state-approved certificate—Makerspace Coordinator. This 10-month, 18-unit program is designed for people who…
Spring 2019 Message from the Executive Director
KCI continues to provide exceptional professional learning programs for educators in Silicon Valley, as well as other communities in California and Hawaii. A highly motivated, well-trained teacher will positively impact upwards of 3,000 students throughout his or her career. We are planning for another busy summer and fall, and anticipate conducting all of our major…
KCI Computer Science Programs Serve Critical Role
A strong demand for computer science (CS) professional development exists in the Bay Area. Parents are requesting that schools offer CS courses, but few teachers are appropriately trained to teach CS. Even though California has not completed its computer science standards for education, it’s clear that teachers are interested in how they can integrate CS…
Upping the Ante in Math PD
KCI doubled down on math professional development this summer. Not only was the FAME (Faculty Academy for Mathematics Excellence) program for middle and high school teachers offered for the ninth year, but KCI also launched EMPowered, a new math PD program specifically for 4th and 5th grade teachers. FAME is a blended program that consists…
Makerspace Certificate Program Provides Training for New Career Path
Makerspaces are popping up across the educational spectrum, at schools, libraries, and youth centers. The Maker Movement has revitalized an interest in hands-on projects and the use of various tools for designing and prototyping. Once-empty school shops and computer labs are being reborn as makerspaces, and the curriculum is gender-neutral so girls and boys have…