This is Part I in a three-part blog series exploring how Distinctive Schools is approaching artificial intelligence (AI) in education. From building custom tools to supporting student learning, our staff and students are beginning to thoughtfully explore AI’s potential. In the coming weeks, we’ll share how students are engaging with AI in the classroom and how we are guiding responsible, creative, and future-focused AI use across our network.
Over the last few weeks, Distinctive Schools staff have been utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to design and build apps to support learning. While we recognize that AI will never be a replacement for great teaching, we’re approaching AI as a powerful tool to enhance creativity, efficiency, and to personalize learning for our students. Through professional learning opportunities, Distinctive Schools teachers and leaders are paving the way in thoughtful, future-focused AI integration.
To ensure our staff have the support and resources to explore AI effectively, Distinctive Schools recently partnered with LEAP Innovations to offer a four-week AI Professional Learning Community (PLC). The PLC was a collaborative space where educators built their own AI chatbots and experimented with tools, eventually creating their own AI tools. “We want to ensure our students are able to keep and exceed pace with their peers—we know that the jobs of the future will require AI as a skill, and it starts in our classrooms,” Roberto Vargas, Managing Director of IT at Distinctive Schools shared, “I’m so inspired by the PLC members for taking the steps to be vulnerable in this space in order to learn together. Many of them joined not knowing what to expect and now they can say they’ve built their own AI app.”
PLC participants learned about the history of AI, discussed ethical considerations, and explored practical applications. By building their own tools, PLC members deepened their understanding of AI’s potential and responsibilities, laying the foundation for intentional, student-centered use. “Coming into this PLC, I had heard so much about AI, both positive and negative, but didn’t really understand it,” said CICS Prairie Interventionist Cody Butler. “Now I have a more positive view of AI because I have a better grasp on how it works and how to really leverage it.”
Throughout the PLC, team members built and tinkered, fine tuning their apps. Here are three examples of apps our educators have built over the last several weeks:
Déjame preguntar al profe de Español: An innovative way to learn Spanish, this chatbot helps the user learn through their interests, be it music, travel and culture, or communicating with others. Created by Art In Motion Spanish Teacher Farran Mila Fores, the app helps 9th and 10th grade beginning Spanish students learn and practice conversational Spanish.
Help Desk Helper: It’s not always easy to know where to find answers to IT issues, so this app is designed to help users better navigate Distinctive Schools’ internal systems. Powered by knowledge-based articles, Distinctive Schools Data & Information Systems Specialist Nathan Suh’s bot can walk you through common tech challenges step by step or direct you to the correct forms, links, or specifications you need to get the job done.
The Roc Bot: Created by CICS Longwood Elementary and High School Nurse Carethia Rocquemore, this app is designed to support educators and school staff working with PreK–12 students by providing guidance on common health and healthcare-related situations in the school setting. It’s a helpful resource for moments when the school nurse is unavailable or when staff are unsure what type of care a student may need. You can even try this app out for yourself!
As AI continues to evolve, Distinctive Schools remains committed to leading with intentionality and purpose. Through professional learning and classroom exploration, educators are ensuring that AI is a tool for inspiration, not replacement, one that supports educators themselves as well as their students.
Interested in being part of the Distinctive Schools community? We’re enrolling + hiring now for Fall 2025. Learn more here for students or here for staffing opportunities.