CSTA picks 15 teachers for second Responsible AI Fellowship

Why it matters

AI will touch every subject, but most schools lack capacity to teach it responsibly. Training teachers as leaders builds practical, equitable AI literacy where it counts: in classrooms.

The Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) has selected 15 PreK-12 educators for its second Responsible AI Fellowship, a six-month leadership program launching this summer in partnership with Google and GenerationAI.

The CSTA Responsible AI Fellowship aims to equip classroom teachers to lead responsible AI instruction. CSTA said the fellows were selected through a rigorous application process from 124 applicants nationwide, based on their demonstrated passion for ensuring all students can engage meaningfully with AI concepts, evidence of leadership abilities, and commitment to responsible AI education. Selection criteria emphasized educators' understanding of responsible AI development and deployment, ability to work with diverse groups, and clear vision for improving equitable access to AI education.

Over the six-month fellowship, participants will work as a learning community focused on four areas: ethical AI frameworks, inclusive AI education, transformative teaching practices, and leadership and advocacy. Fellows span PK-5 through high school settings across the United States.

The 15 fellows are:

• Leah Aiwohi, serving grades 9-12 at Kaua'i High School (Lihue, HI)
• Bradley Joseph Ditto, serving grades PK-12 at Allegany County Public Schools (Cumberland, MD)
• Eitan Fire, serving grades 6-8 at Jefferson Academy (Broomfield, CO)
• Cecelia Gillam, serving grades 9-12 at Benjamin Franklin High School (New Orleans, LA)
• Alphana Hobbs II, serving grades 9-12 at Pacific Ridge School (Carlsbad, CA)
• Pattie Hockensmith, serving grades PK-5 at Canfield Local Schools (Canfield, OH)
• Trakeisha Howard, serving grades PK-12 at CodeCrew (Memphis, TN)
• Gus Lott, serving grades 6-12 at Malinus Pebble Hill School (Syracuse, NY)
• Amanda McBride, serving grades 6-12 at Lincoln County High School (Fayetteville, TN)
• Amber Melander, serving grades PK-5 at Patrick Elementary School (Buford, GA)
• Gieshala Mims, serving grades 6-8 at Senatobia Municipal School District (Senatobia, MS)
• Sonia Mitchell, serving grades 3-12 at Academy of Computer Science & Engineering High School (Enfield, CT)
• Jennifer O'Sullivan, serving grades PK-5 at A.D. Henderson University School (Boca Raton, FL)
• Eugene Pope, serving grades 9-12 at Hyde Park Academy (Chicago, IL)
• Jedediyah Wiliams, serving grades 9-12 at Belmont High School (Belmont, MA)

"We are developing the leaders that matter most when bringing AI into the classroom: teachers," CSTA executive director Jake Baskin said in the announcement, thanking Google.org and GenerationAI for supporting the effort.