Dyane Smokorowski

2019 National Teacher HoF, 2013 KS Teacher of the Year, 2015 Chasing Rainbows Award, 2009 NSBA Top 20, KansasLEADS, Coordinator of Digital Literacy, Innovator

[Rob Dickson @showmerob]

AI is not just changing the tools we use.
It is changing the questions we ask, the learning experiences we design, and the opportunities we create for students.

I’m excited to share that Wichita Public Schools is continuing this work through our upcoming AI Summit, bringing educators together to explore what is possible when technology serves teaching, learning, and human creativity.

We are especially excited to welcome Dr. Sabba Quidwai as a featured speaker. Her work around design thinking, AI, and future-ready learning aligns so well with the conversations educators need right now: not just “What can AI do?” but “What should learning become?”

At Wichita Public Schools, our goal is not to chase every new tool.

Our goal is to build confidence, curiosity, and capacity across our system so educators feel prepared to lead through change.

This summit is about practical ideas, shared learning, and helping teachers design meaningful experiences for students in an AI-rich world.

https://t.co/Jc9JjjGzKz
@WichitaStateCED @WichitaUSD259 @mrs_smoke @askMsQ
#AISummit #Propellus #WichitaPublicSchools #EdTech #AIinEducation #FutureReadyLearning #TeacherLeadership #DigitalLearning #WPSProud

[Rob Dickson @showmerob]

Back in Wichita and reflecting on an incredible week in Boston at the Learning Forward Annual Conference.​

It was a true privilege to share the stage on Wednesday with Dyane Smokorowski for our keynote, "Making Learning Human in an AI World". The energy in the room confirmed what we’ve been seeing in our district: educators are ready to move past the fear of AI and start designing with purpose.​

We often get stuck asking how AI changes teaching, but the real question is how it changes learning.

In our session, we explored how AI shouldn't just be a productivity tool—it must be a thought partner that helps us shift from rote memorization to designing deep, human-centric learning experiences. When we automate the routine, we liberate the human capacity for connection, mentorship, and creative design.​

The "writing is on the wall" that our old foundations are shifting. Our responsibility now is to ensure that as technology advances, our focus on student agency and meaningful relationships advances even faster.​

Thank you to everyone who joined us to close out the conference. Let's keep the conversation going—how are you using AI to make your classrooms more human?
@LearningForward @mrs_smoke
#LearnFwd25 #AIinEducation #FutureReady #WPSPoud #EdTech #DesignThinking

[PebbleGo @PebbleGoHQ1]

AI is transforming how we learn and search. Help your K–5 students use it safely and responsibly! Watch our FREE @edwebnet webinar with @mrs_smoke on digital citizenship + AI.
Watch now: https://t.co/9ZH437qTip
#EdWeb #EdWebinar #PebbleGo #DigitalCitzenship #K5Tech #FutureReady

[PebbleGo @PebbleGoHQ1]

Did you know simple web searches use AI?
During our @edwebnet webinar with @mrs_smoke we explored the importance of teaching students to ask clear questions, how to verify sources, and stay safe online while building comprehension.
https://t.co/MpMzCaIHpo

#EdWeb #PebbleGo

[Learning Forward @LearningForward]

“Teachers in 2025 are learning experience designers. Let’s give students experiences that give them FOMO about missing school as opposed to fear of going to school.” - #LearnFwd25 keynote speaker Dyane Smokorowski

[Rob Dickson @showmerob]

What an incredible honor to stand on the main stage in Boston today! 🎤✨

We just wrapped up our keynote, "Making Learning Human in an AI World," at the Learning Forward Annual Conference. Sharing the stage with my amazing co-presenter, Dyane Smokorowski, was a highlight of the year.

We talked about how AI isn't here to replace the teacher—it's here to be a thought partner. The true magic happens when we use these tools to amplify wonder, empathy, and student agency.

If you were in the room, thank you for the energy and for leaning into the conversation about keeping our classrooms authentically human. Let’s keep designing learning experiences that spark innovation and connection!
@mrs_smoke
#LearnFwd25 #AIinEducation #EdTech #FutureOfLearning #MakingLearningHuman #WPSProud

[edWeb.net @edwebnet]

Connecting Digital Citizenship and Reading Comprehension: Safe Learning, Strong Literacy 12/2 #edWebinar @mrs_smoke @PebbleGoHQ #PebbleGo #PebbleGoNext https://t.co/xju8CDfleb

[Rob Dickson @showmerob]

🎉 EdTech Leaders: It's not too late! JOIN US in Wichita for a huge week:
🖌️ Canva World Tour at @WichitaUSD259, Oct 13
🏆 @CoSN Academy Site Visit, Oct 14–15 (arrive Oct 13)
🌟 Learn from @mrs_smoke and Rob Dickson
💵 $120 reg—email Jill Brown: [email protected]
🏨 Hotel: Historic Hotel Old Town (Group: CoSN2025), 316-267-4800
Limited spots—most meals provided!
Questions: [email protected] / [email protected]
#EdTech #K12 #Leadership #SchoolDistricts #CanvaWorldTour #WPSProud

[Dyane Smokorowski @mrs_smoke]

@fischy @MicrosoftEDU @BeckyKeene Love both of these faces!!!

[Dyane Smokorowski @mrs_smoke]

@alicekeeler @techsavvysupt @bbray27 @browniesedbites See you soon!

[Dyane Smokorowski @mrs_smoke]

@kkonecny13 @mr_Alsheimer YES!! I love everything about this!! Brilliant - and I fully agree

[Rob Dickson @showmerob]

🎉 HUGE NEWS! 🎉 @WichitaUSD259 is incredibly honored to be recognized as a 2025 ISTE+ASCD Distinguished District! This prestigious award highlights our commitment to innovation and excellence in education, and we couldn't have done it without our amazing educators, students, staff, and community. Thank you for your dedication to making our district a place where learners thrive! Learn more: https://t.co/jTuKZN2jFZ

#WPSProud #ISTEAwards #ASCD #EdTech #DistrictExcellence #InnovationInEducation #FutureReady

[Rob Dickson @showmerob]

What an incredible week! We are still buzzing from the energy of the Propellus #AI Summit, a landmark event hosted in partnership between @WichitaStateCAS & @WichitaUSD259.

A huge thank you to our brilliant keynote speakers, @wilmotjason & @GeriGillespy, for anchoring the day with such powerful insights. And of course, a special shout-out to our amazing "hype squad" of pre-service teachers who brought infectious enthusiasm to the entire event!

The core theme was powerful: "an adaptive mindset cannot be acquired... It must be attained".

When thinking about Ai and it's effect on skills such as coding - these come to mind:

Embrace Change: History shows that new technologies expand the number of creators, and we must avoid a rigid mindset to keep from being left behind.
Empowerment through AI: AI will empower more people to code and create, making it a more essential skill, not a lesser one.
Build Your Skills: The future belongs to those who build foundational skills while also mastering the latest AI tools to become "superhuman" in their work.
Thank you to everyone who participated. Let's carry this momentum forward!
@mrs_smoke
#PropellusAISummit #AIinEducation #WichitaState #WichitaPublicSchools #FutureReady #AdaptiveMindset

[Rob Dickson @showmerob]

Happy last day of school from @WichitaUSD259 Creative Minds Vertical Classroom at Learning Lab Wichita #WPSProud @mrs_smoke

[Dyane Smokorowski @mrs_smoke]

I just can’t wait for this magic!!

[Janice Wintermyer @MsWintermyer]

In just a few days I’m joining @mrs_smoke, @showmerob & the amazing @WichitaUSD259 team for #Propellus2025! I’ll be leading 4 sessions + a workshop on all the amazing new @CanvaEdu features, @wilmotjason is keynoting on AI💡& @kaustincanva is hosting educator roundtables.

Don’t miss it! 🔗 https://t.co/C41xMIdeHz

#CanvaEdu

[Rob Dickson @showmerob]

Great to be able to share our Wichita Public Schools - USD259 #Ai story at the Council of Chief State School Officers in Minneapolis with Dyane Smokorowski - also great to catch up with my friend Dean Folkers @mrs_smoke #WPSProud

[Rob Dickson @showmerob]

Thrilled to share that Wichita Public Schools just received the 2025 ISTE+ASCD Distinguished District Award! 🎉 This recognition celebrates districts driving meaningful change in education through #innovation. #EdTech #FutureReady 💫 #WPSProud @WichitaUSD259 #Ai

[Dyane Smokorowski @mrs_smoke]

@msmathminded @MBrownEdTech Genius!!! I can see that, too!!

[Dyane Smokorowski @mrs_smoke]

✨ Creative minds, let’s play! ✨

What do YOU see in these squiggles? 🤔🎨 Rotate, flip, and let your imagination take over!

💬 Drop your ideas below—there’s no wrong answer!

🚀 Teachers, want to bring this to your students? Let’s connect! 🖍️🌍

#ArtChallenge #AwesomeSquiggles

[Dyane Smokorowski @mrs_smoke]

@LindaHume10 @MBrownEdTech Hey Linda! This is our global project Awesome Squiggles. Check out the project page here. https://t.co/QxhDFAEnhq