The work to integrate artificial intelligence in Michigan schools is gaining momentum. In Part 1 of this series, we looked at how four districts are building their own foundations through task forces, learning councils, and student-centered strategies. But that was just the beginning.
In this next set of stories, we highlight four more districts that are putting bold ideas into action. From hands-on educator workgroups to county-wide capacity building, each is shaping its own thoughtful approach to AI. These case studies offer a closer look at how local leadership, clear planning, and strong partnerships are driving meaningful progress across Michigan.
Chelsea: Cultivating Innovation Through an AI and Computational Thinking Workgroup
Chelsea School District is taking a proactive and integrated approach to fostering innovation by focusing on the interconnected areas of AI, computational thinking, and computer science. The district’s Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment is leading an “Innovative Workgroup” comprised of teachers and other staff from across the district. This initiative recognizes the importance of empowering educators to become leaders in exploring and implementing these transformative concepts.
Each month, the Workgroup meets to engage in training sessions centered on AI, computational thinking, and computer science. This regular engagement provides a sustained opportunity for teachers to deepen their understanding and develop practical skills in these areas. A unique aspect of Chelsea’s approach is that the content and focus of these sessions are directly driven by the participants’ completion of Project Tomorrow’s TRAACT assessments. These assessments provide valuable data on the teachers’ existing knowledge and skills, allowing the training to be tailored to their specific needs and areas for growth.
Michigan Virtual provides support by co-planning and facilitating each monthly session. Participants have gotten hands-on and practical experiences testing different AI tools, and are provided updates on new advancements in the field of AI each month. As a result, the Workgroup has developed a set of AI guidance documents tailored to both teachers and students at different grade levels—offering realistic, developmentally appropriate tools and strategies.
Beyond the core Workgroup, the district is taking steps to expand access to AI learning. Michigan Virtual has led introductory training sessions for both teaching and paraprofessional staff, and is now partnering with Chelsea to build a comprehensive district-wide professional learning plan for the 2025–26 school year. With educator leadership, outside expertise, and a foundation of meaningful data, Chelsea is laying the groundwork for sustained innovation across its schools.
Hartland: Developing Policy and Delivering Training for AI Integration
Hartland Consolidated Schools is taking a multi-faceted approach to integrating AI, recognizing the need for both strategic planning and practical implementation. The district’s efforts are being led by the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, highlighting the administrative prioritization of this initiative.
A key component of Hartland’s strategy involves active participation in the LESA AI Task Force meetings at the county-wide level. This engagement allows Hartland’s team to stay informed about regional discussions, share insights with other districts, and contribute to the development of a broader understanding of AI in education within Livingston County. This collaborative approach ensures that Hartland’s efforts are aligned with wider county initiatives and benefits from shared learning experiences.
In addition to participating in the county-wide task force, Hartland has also developed its own specific policies and guidelines for AI use within the local school district. This proactive step is crucial for establishing a clear framework for responsible and effective AI integration, addressing ethical considerations, and ensuring alignment with the district’s values and educational goals. Furthermore, Hartland is committed to delivering comprehensive training on AI for staff at different levels within the district. This recognition of the need for differentiated professional learning acknowledges that various roles within the school system will interact with AI in different ways and require tailored training to maximize its potential.
Michigan Virtual‘s primary support for Hartland Consolidated Schools is centered around the delivery of this crucial training. Leveraging their expertise in AI in education, Michigan Virtual has worked directly with Hartland’s staff to build their understanding of AI fundamentals, explore practical applications for teaching and learning, and equip them with the skills necessary to confidently integrate AI into their practices.
St. Clair County: Leading the AI Conversation Across the County
St. Clair County Regional Educational Service Agency (SCCRESA) is taking a proactive leadership role in fostering a county-wide dialogue and strategy around the integration of AI in education. The Superintendent and Director of Education Services at SCCRESA have organized an “AI Leaders Task Force” to spearhead this crucial conversation, both for the benefit of internal RESA staff and for the constituent districts within St. Clair County. This initiative highlights SCCRESA’s commitment to supporting the educational community in navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.
Michigan Virtual is helping to co-plan and facilitate specialized monthly learning sessions, each aligned to a specific domain of the AI Integration Framework, for SCCRESA staff and any interested leaders from districts within the county. Participating RESA staff members also serve as an internal advisory group, developing a deeper understanding of AI and its implications for education and providing valuable insights to guide the agency’s broader efforts. This train-the-trainer approach aims to build internal capacity within SCCRESA to effectively support the wider educational community.
SCCRESA’s commitment to leading the AI conversation is further underscored by its existing role in providing a wide range of services to local districts, including technology support and professional development. This established infrastructure and network of relationships position SCCRESA as a natural leader in guiding the county’s local districts in their exploration and adoption of AI technologies. SCCRESA is additionally planning a county-wide professional learning opportunity on AI in the spring of 2026, open to all staff and facilitated by Michigan Virtual’s AI Strategists. The partnership with Michigan Virtual, leveraging their specialized expertise in AI in education, will help SCCRESA achieve its goals of raising awareness, building capacity, and fostering a collaborative approach to AI integration across St. Clair County.
Wyoming Public Schools: Shaping an Implementation Pathway for AI to Support Mastery-Based Learning
Wyoming Public Schools is taking a thoughtful and deliberate approach to integrating AI, aligning its exploration with the district’s existing pedagogical priorities. The Director of Secondary Teaching & Learning is spearheading an AI advisory group composed of a diverse range of stakeholders, including teaching staff, building principals, and central administrators, ensuring that multiple perspectives inform the district’s strategy.
The primary focus of this AI advisory group is to learn more about the capabilities and implications of AI and to collaboratively shape an implementation pathway for AI technology within the district. Notably, Wyoming Public Schools recently completed a strategic planning process and has placed a significant emphasis on mastery-based learning. This pedagogical focus serves as a key lens through which the AI advisory group is approaching its work. The group is particularly eager to explore how AI technology might effectively support the district’s mastery-based learning efforts. This targeted inquiry suggests that Wyoming Public Schools is not viewing AI as a standalone technology but rather as a potential tool to enhance and further their existing educational goals.
To facilitate this important work, the AI advisory group is convening for monthly hour-long meetings throughout the spring of 2025, facilitated by an AI Strategist from Michigan Virtual. These dedicated meetings provide a structured forum for learning, discussion, and planning. The initial goals of these meetings include crafting a clear vision statement for AI integration within the district and beginning the crucial work of developing practical guidance for staff. This foundational work will provide a roadmap for the district’s future AI initiatives.
Looking Ahead: New Partnerships on the Horizon
The momentum is building. In addition to the districts featured here, Michigan Virtual is launching new AI collaborations with St. Joseph Public Schools, Allen Park Public Schools, Wayne-Westland Community Schools, Muskegon Public Schools, Garden City Public Schools, Grosse Ile Township Schools, Portage Public Schools, Crestwood Schools, Hamtramck Public Schools, Oxford Community Schools, Jackson Public Schools, and Haslett Public Schools. Each of these partners brings a new perspective—and a new opportunity to learn and lead.
Conclusion: A Shared Vision for Michigan’s Educational Future
What unites these stories is not a single model, but a shared mindset: one of curiosity, collaboration, and student-centered innovation. Whether through district-led task forces, cross-county learning communities, or teacher-driven workgroups, Michigan schools are approaching AI with care, vision, and urgency.
The future of education in Michigan is being shaped not by technology alone, but by the educators, leaders, and students who are asking the right questions and doing the thoughtful work. As these efforts continue to grow, Michigan Virtual is proud to be a partner and thought leader in this statewide movement.
We’ll continue to share these stories as more districts begin their journeys. If your school is exploring AI and looking for guidance, we’d love to connect.
