On May 13, educators from across the region gathered for the second annual AI Empowered EDU conference, a sold-out event dedicated to exploring the evolving role of artificial intelligence in education. Co-hosted by Clackamas ESD, Multnomah ESD, Northwest Regional ESD and the University of Portland, the conference grew from 300 attendees in 2024 to 350 in 2025, reflecting increasing interest in the conversation around the purpose, promises and pitfalls of AI in education.
The conference was bookended by opening and closing keynote presentations from Matt Mervis and Liz Radday, teaching and learning leaders at EdAdvance, one of Connecticut’s six Regional Educational Service Centers, and co-hosts of the popular ChatEDU podcast that deep dives into the intersection of AI and education. Their dynamic presentations offered an optimistic yet pragmatic perspective on the future of education in the age of AI that set the stage for a day of discovery and reflection.
Throughout the day, participants engaged in 34 breakout sessions led by AI industry experts and pioneering educators who are actively integrating AI into classrooms and school and district leadership. These sessions examined both the opportunities and the challenges presented by AI in today’s schools and in the years ahead. Several sessions were facilitated by educators from Clackamas County.
Charlotte Gant, early literacy consultant at Clackamas ESD, facilitated a session on adopting a balanced approach to AI integration in elementary education. Her presentation underscored the value of integrating AI thoughtfully while prioritizing real-world interactions and play to support healthy brain development in young learners.
Oregon City School District English teacher David Barringer was part of a panel discussion spotlighting the work of an aiEDU-organized cohort of teachers who are using AI tools to support student learning, develop engaging lesson content and empower students as digital citizens. David shared takeaways from his experience bringing AI into his classroom, including plagiarism prevention and ethical usage.
AI task force members Kristin Montagano, teacher on special assignment in the North Clackamas School District, and Angie Matteri and Teigh Bowen, elementary school teachers in the Lake Oswego School District, shared their experiences developing strategic plans, crafting district-wide policies, building stakeholder hubs and launching professional learning initiatives in a panel discussion about leading AI integration at the district level.
Oregon City School District’s Jennifer Bell, curriculum teacher on special assignment, and Candice Henkin, literacy specialist, led a workshop on how to use AI tools to increase efficiency and how and when AI is an appropriate thought partner – and when it’s not. The session focused on using AI for tasks such as analyzing and writing emails, summarizing survey data and creating action items derived from that data, and gathering key components of a framework while identifying any gaps.
A lunchtime panel brought together a diverse mix of voices from students to district leaders and industry professionals to explore how AI is reshaping what it means to be “ready” for school, work and life. Lake Oswego School District Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction LaKeyshua Washington and Lake Oswego School District Board Member Brian Bills offered insights into how the district is thinking strategically about AI’s implications for teaching, learning and equity. The student panelists made key contributions to the discussion, bringing the student perspective to the table and reinforcing the importance of centering student voice in decision-making and policies around AI.
“The AI Empowered EDU conference has quickly become a catalyst for innovation and collaboration across our region,” said Ewan Brawley, Clackamas ESD assistant superintendent. “It’s inspiring to see educators not only exploring the potential of AI, but also leading the way in shaping how these tools are used to support students, enhance equity and reimagine what learning can look like.”
