AI Ambassadors Trained Through a “Train-the-Trainer” Model in Georgia
Fulton County Schools in the US state of Georgia have introduced an innovative initiative based on a “train-the-trainer” model to expand professional development in artificial intelligence. Serving around 100 schools and 86,000 students in the Atlanta area, the school district has successfully scaled this model with a team of just three people.
As part of the initiative, at least two “AI ambassadors” have been trained in each school. These teachers support their colleagues by providing training on the use of artificial intelligence in education, offering guidance on safe and effective use, and helping to address challenges that arise in practice.
The team created through the train-the-trainer initiative consists of approximately 350 staff members, the majority of whom are teachers. Within the programme, two teachers selected by each school principal took part in a full-day training course spread over six days during the autumn term. The programme enabled teachers not only to use AI tools, but also to plan how the newly developed training materials could be delivered again in their own schools.
Heather Van Looy, Director of Instructional Technology at Fulton County Schools, notes that members of the team are not instructional technology specialists, but approach the field with strong interest and motivation. She adds that following the intensive training, these individuals have become AI experts within their own schools.
While Fulton County Schools have formally begun implementing artificial intelligence across the district in the current academic year, the train-the-trainer model has previously been used to support the wider adoption of other educational technologies.