May 6, 2025

We are thrilled to share the list of AESA members who have been selected as Lead Trainers for Building Capacity for Generative AI in K-12 Education. This initiative, led by AESA and CoSN in collaboration with SETDA and AASA, aims to support school districts—especially those that are small or under-resourced—in assessing their readiness to implement generative AI technologies and developing strategic implementation roadmaps. The selected Lead Trainers will play a pivotal role in training and mentoring Regional Trainers, who will, in turn, deliver training to school districts nationwide.

Congratulations to the following new Lead Trainers:

Jennifer Bloomingdale
Training Specialist
NERIC/Capital Region BOCES
Albany, NY

Sherri Kulpa
Chief Academic Officer
EducationPlus
St. Louis, MO

David Clark
Curriculum and Technology Specialist
Butler County Educational Service Center
Hamilton, OH 

Julianne B. Ross-Kleinmann, Ed.D.
Supervisor of Instructional Services
Ulster BOCES
New Paltz, NY

Beth Clarke
Senior Director, Strategic Innovation for Learning
CESA 2
Whitewater, WI 

Pamela M. Santerre
Education Consultant
LEARN Regional Educational Service Center
Old Lyme, CT

Rebecca Dwenger
Instructional Technology Consultant, Technology Assistance Group
Hamilton County ESC
Cincinnati, OH 

Dria Setter
Learning & Innovation Strategist and i4PL Coordinator
i4PL, Leading Learner-Centered Education / CESA 1
Pewaukee, WI

Luke Forshaw, Ed.D.
Director of Professional Development Services
Cooperative Educational Services
Trumbull, CT

Brian M. Stamford, Ed.D.
Program Director, Accountability & Innovative Practices
Teaching & Learning Division
Allegheny Intermediate Unit
Homestead, PA

Rachel Holbrook, Ed.D.
Director of Data Services
Kentucky Educational Development Corporation
Ashland, KY 

Misty Treviño
AI Consultant
Region 10 Education Service Center
Richardson, TX

As AI tools rapidly expand in K–12 education, the April 2025 State Examiner highlights key 2024 legislation and 2025 bills on student data privacy and AI governance, outlining trends and actions for education leaders.

AESA was proud to be featured in last month's issue of School Administrator, the flagship publication of AASA. While the article spotlighted the vital work of ESAs, many of the in-depth stories didn’t make the final print.

We’ve turned those inspiring stories into a special post in Perspectives, our online journal—because the innovation and impact of ESAs deserve to be shared! Read the latest issue!

Let's Hear from YOU!

Submit your story ideas to the Perspectives editor and help us showcase the creativity, leadership, and results that define the ESA community! 

Work on the federal fiscal year 2026 (FY26) budget officially began last week with the release of the White House Office of Management and Budget’s “skinny budget.” This initial proposal outlines major consolidations and substantial cuts to education programs. Of particular concern to AESA members, the budget makes no mention of Head Start—a notable omission that raises questions. While the implications are unclear at this stage, we expect more clarity when the full budget is released in the coming weeks. Read our summary.

Join the enthusiastic and experienced team from Region 16 Education Service Center, TX, on their podcast For the Love of Pre-K! Throughout the year, their education specialists have shared classroom challenges, heartwarming (and hilarious) moments, and practical tips that only come from years of experience in early childhood education.

Last week's episode, "Bringing It Home," marked the final episode of the 2024–25 school year—and it's a heartfelt sendoff you won't want to miss.

Have we missed one of your ESA’s stories? Send submissions to csowder@aesa.us to be included in future editions of Online News. 

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WRGB