Learning Forward
Equity and excellence in teaching and learning.
IDEAS
One district’s path to AI integration
By Mark Weichel and Matthew Lee
Categories: Resources, TechnologyFebruary 2026
When artificial intelligence entered mainstream conversations, our district, Westside Community Schools in Omaha, Nebraska, saw it as an opportunity for leadership and innovation. Our district has been grounded in the values of community, excellence, and innovation since it was established in 1947, and those values continue to shape how we prepare today’s students for the world they will enter. In that spirit, we wanted to be proactive about AI integration and lead with clarity and purpose. When ChatGPT was released publicly in 2022, our community stakeholders, teachers, and administrators began asking for guidance on how to navigate emerging AI tools. We quickly recognized this was an issue we could not ignore. Students were already engaging with these tools regardless of district policy, and we believed
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References
Learning Forward (2025). Standards for Professional Learning.
Mark Weichel, EdD, is the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning at Westside Community Schools. He has served as a teacher, school administrator, and district administrator for 30 years in the Omaha area. His work centers on building coherent systems of teaching and learning and supporting leaders and teams in improving results for students.
Matthew Lee, PhD, is the Director of Technology at Westside Community Schools. He leads districtwide efforts to align technology systems, infrastructure, and instructional tools in support of teaching and learning. His work focuses on creating reliable, forward-thinking technology environments that empower staff and enhance the student experience.
Categories: Resources, Technology
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