AI Champions Teacher Training Program
Stanford CREATE AI Challenge: Track 1 - Augment Teaching
Submitted by: Skafld Studio in partnership with El Segundo Unified School District
Funding Request: $50,000
Project Duration: 12 months
Executive Summary
Teachers stand at the frontline of AI transformation, yet most lack the confidence and training to integrate AI tools into their practice. The AI Champions Program addresses this critical gap through a research-backed train-the-trainer model that transforms 20 early-adopter teachers into AI mentors who then train their colleagues.
Our approach draws from proven methodologies in corporate reskilling and military training: sandbox before scale. Rather than overwhelming faculty with generic AI workshops, we create safe experimentation environments where teachers discover AI applications relevant to their specific subjects and grade levels.
Near-peer mentoring accelerates adoption. Teachers learn best from colleagues who understand their daily challenges, not from external consultants who leave after a workshop.
The Opportunity
El Segundo Unified School District serves 6,500+ students across six schools in a community anchored by aerospace, technology, and entertainment industries. This creates an ideal laboratory for AI education innovation:
- Industry proximity provides authentic use cases and employer validation
- Manageable scale enables rapid iteration and course correction
- Strong community support for educational innovation
- Replicable model for districts nationwide
Program Outcomes
| Metric | Target | Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| AI Champions trained | 20 teachers | Program completion |
| Confidence increase | 85%+ | Pre/post assessment |
| Colleagues mentored | 50+ teachers | Cohort 2 enrollment |
| AI-enhanced lessons | 100+ | Lesson library count |
| Sustained practice | 70%+ | 6-month follow-up |
Why This Matters
The teacher confidence gap represents the primary bottleneck in K-12 AI adoption. District leaders report that:
- 78% of teachers express interest in AI but lack structured training
- 65% fear "looking incompetent" when using new tools
- 82% prefer learning from trusted colleagues over external experts
The AI Champions Program transforms this anxiety into agency, creating a sustainable culture of AI literacy that extends far beyond the grant period.