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I’m incredibly honored and humbled to share that I was recently named CoSN CTO of the Year, SAANYS NYS Digital Leader of the Year, and an ISTE/ASCD Featured Voice - it still feels surreal! These milestones are a reflection of the work we've done together. To everyone who has supported me along the way, thank you! Your encouragement has fueled my passion and drive to keep pushing for a better future in education.

With that spirit, I'm excited to invite you to something very close to my heart: the first-ever Students for Innovation Virtual Summit, launching next week! If you're inspired by the idea of students leading the way in reimagining education, you won't want to miss it. (Details on how to register are at the bottom of this post!)

The Story Behind the Awards

When asked why I believe I received these awards, my answer is simple: it’s because of the work I do with students. In a world where many leaders are separated from the classroom, I’ve made a conscious decision to stay close, listening to students, empowering them, and learning with them. One of the most powerful ways I do this is through Students for Innovation, the organization and club I founded to empower young changemakers to lead, advocate, and create real change within their schools and communities.

Each week, I lead both a Students for Innovation club and an AI club for students in grades 4 and up. This isn’t just an afterschool activity, it’s a living, breathing example of how innovation and student voice can transform education. In our club, students become technology leaders, teaching their peers and even their teachers how to integrate emerging technologies into classrooms. They aren’t just learning about innovation, they’re living it. Some have even stepped onto national and international stages to share their insights with educators around the world.

At the heart of Students for Innovation is a safe, supportive space where students and teachers are encouraged to take risks, share ideas, and learn from both successes and failures. It teaches students to think critically, present their ideas confidently, and respectfully advocate for change: all skills that will serve them far beyond the classroom. It also models for teachers how to create similarly empowering environments in their own classrooms, sparking a ripple effect of creativity and innovation throughout the district. You’ll get to see them in action at the summit - you won’t want to miss it!

Leading Students for Innovation has transformed my own leadership style, grounding every decision I make in the real experiences of students and teachers. It’s a constant reminder that true change doesn’t happen in an administrative meeting; it happens in classrooms, in conversations, and in the quiet courage of students and teachers daring to lead. Through this work, we’re not just talking about innovation, we’re living it. And it’s reshaping what’s possible for everyone in our learning community.

If this resonates with you, I hope you’ll join us for the launch of the Students for Innovation Virtual Summit next week! This student-led event is designed to showcase how young leaders are transforming education, one idea at a time, and how you can implement this into your own class/school/district.

Make sure you’re ready:​
✅ Create a free member portal to get started!
✅ Once you’re logged in, you can view the full Summit Schedule and start planning which sessions you’ll attend live!

Here’s how to join:

1. Go to https://studentsforinnovation.org/summit/​
2. Click "1: Registration/Login" to create your free account.
3. Check your email (and your spam folder) to activate your account.
4. Once activated and logged in, go back to the Summit page and click "1" again; you’ll now be redirected to the full Summit Schedule.
5. On the day/time of each session, simply click the Tune In button for that session to join live!
   (All sessions will also be recorded if you can’t attend live.)

Register Now!

Spread the Word: Please help us spread the word! Invite your friends, colleagues, and anyone passionate about student voice to register and celebrate with us!

Student Presenters: Know a student who should be on this virtual stage? Encourage them to apply for next year's summit! (showcase the incredible work happening in your class/school/organization!)

Spotlight 🔦

CoSN CTO of the Year

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I’m incredibly honored to be named the Consortium of School Networking (CoSN) CTO of the Year! Check out this video for a behind-the-scenes look at the work and people who made this possible.

NYS Digtal Leader of the Year

Feeling incredibly honored and humbled to be named the NYS Leader in Digital Education by the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS). If you'll also be at the awards celebration on May 2nd, I’d love to connect!

Honored to be featured in this month’s Tech&Learning Magazine as one of the educators believed to shape the future of education this year. It’s especially meaningful to be recognized alongside leaders I admire and have learned so much from. Thank you Carl Hoooker, Adam Phyall, and Jennifer Womble for paving the way, inspiring others, and showcasing what’s possible. I’m truly grateful to be in your company! Thank you, Christine Weiser, for your continued support and leadership!

​ISTE+ASCD+Pinterest's Digital Wellbeing Initiative: I’m beyond excited to be part of this important initiative and to have the opportunity to lead this work within my district. Digital wellbeing is something I’ve been passionate about for a long time, well before it became a “trendy” topic, and I’m truly looking forward to this journey. I’m excited about the positive impact this will have on my students, staff, and entire school community.

​NYSCATE's TED-Style Talks: Are you ready to make an impact and share your compelling story and ideas at NYSCATE?! Whether you're a seasoned educator or a passionate newcomer, NYSCATE TED-Style Talks offer a unique opportunity to amplify your voice, connect with like-minded individuals, and contribute to larger conversations. I’ll be working with selected speakers from now through the annual conference - Apply now!​

Catch me if you can 🗓️

5/16-5/16: LHRIC Tech Expo - Friends in the tri-state area, this is a conference you’ll definitely want to check out! I might be a little biased (I used to help organize it in a previous role), but it truly is a great event. For the first time, they’re opening registration to those outside the membership, and I highly recommend it if you’re nearby!

6/17 - LACUE Technology Leadership Summit - District leaders, technology directors, and education professionals from across Louisiana will gather for two days of dynamic keynotes, interactive sessions, and collaborative conversations. The summit focuses on leadership, innovation, and the future of education technology. I’m honored to be delivering the keynote, sharing strategies on empowering students and leading transformational change in an AI-driven world.

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6/29-7/2: ISTE/ASCD Annual Conference - Excited to be named a featured speaker at this year’s annual conference! Even more special - Amiya, one of my Students for Innovation co-founders, will be there leading her very own session! Check out my schedule and be sure to stop by and say hi!

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7/8-7/10: AI in Education Symposium at the University at Albany - NYS district leaders, school administrators, and education professionals will come together for three days of insightful discussions, hands-on workshops, and collaborative learning. This event is designed to provide practical strategies and actionable insights on integrating AI into education systems to enhance equity, innovation, and student success.

7/11-7/13: United Annual Conference - I’m excited to present at the national conference for principals and school leaders hosted by NAESP and NASSP! This event brings together K–12 leaders from across the country to connect, grow, and reimagine the future of education.

8/5-8/7: Vermont Principals' Association Academy - I’m excited to present at the VPA Academy! This event brings together K–12 principals, assistant principals, and educational leaders from across Vermont for several days of learning, connection, and inspiration. I’ll be sharing practical strategies to help school leaders embrace AI thoughtfully, foster innovation, and lead with confidence in a rapidly evolving educational landscape.
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Catch up on recent episodes 🎙️

Students for Innovation: In this episode, we're joined by Soham and Amiya, the forward-thinking co-founders of Students for Innovation. We discuss the significant role of AI in modern classrooms, share their personal journeys as advocates for student-driven change, and give us a sneak peek into their upcoming student-led virtual summit tailored for educators. Their event is set to provide a unique opportunity for teachers to directly engage with the students who are at the forefront of educational innovation. Tune in to see how Soham, Amiya, and their peers are not just preparing for the future - they are already building it.

Listen Now!

The Generative Age Book 📚

My book The Generative Age: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Education is available on Amazon and Barnes and Nobel! If you've already bought a copy, thank you! If you're interested in a bulk discount, reach out or reply to this email.

Buy now

Speaking and Customized PD 🗓️

If you're interested in having me work with your teachers or administrative team, please reach out or reply to this email. Here are some of the topics I've been booked for recently:

• Empowering Leaders/Educators to Adapt to the AI-driven future: Exploring the role of AI in education, its applications in administrative tasks, and methods for evaluating AI use in teacher observations.
• The Future of Teaching, Learning, and Assessments: Adapting to a world with AI in education.
• Breaking Bias: Addressing (and teaching about) AI bias and discrimination.
• Debugging Creativity and Imagination: The intersection of AI and creative writing.
• ...and much more!

Feel free to contact me to discuss how I can support you and your team!

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Until next time!

Alana Winnick