For us at Bluum, it's a pivotal event that aligns with our mission and offers a unique opportunity to connect deeply with educators' and administrators' challenges and aspirations.
The core theme this year revolved around innovation in education, with a significant focus on the integration of AI into teaching and learning processes.
A quote by Dr. Shay Loring encapsulates the essence of the discussions:
“If we won’t adapt our teaching to our students, what we are really teaching our students is that we don’t care about what they need to be successful in the classroom.”
This powerful message underlines the urgency for adaptive and student-centered teaching methodologies. We can’t ignore AI and its impact on education.
The event attracted a diverse group of attendees, including Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, CIOs, and Technology Directors, all keen to explore topics such as Personalized Learning, Building an MTSS Model, Daily Usage of AI, Framework for Equity, and the Implications of Generative AI.
The importance of aligning vendors with district leaders was a recurrent theme, aimed at addressing administrators’ needs through genuine solutions. Our discussions with District Leaders ranged from upgrading school networks and enhancing cybersecurity to envisioning the future of physical security and classroom environments. Such dialogues are crucial for strategic planning in education, and we were excited to help them envision what’s next for their districts. We look forward to continuing these conversations.
Bluum has deep roots in education as many of our team members are former educators and superintendents.
Key ideas that emerged include defining frameworks and metrics to understand how educational technology is impacting teaching, learning, and leading. One of the participants stressed the need to begin with the learning community's "WHY?"
What is important to the stakeholders? What does learning look like in our classrooms? And how do school and district leaders create a shared vision where technologies are leveraged at all levels to meet the needs of the learning community?
Amanda Bickerstaff was the keynote speaker. Amanda is the Co-Founder and CEO of AI for Education. A former high school biology teacher and EdTech executive with over 20 years of experience in the education sector. She has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that AI can offer.
Recognizing the constraints of time and resources faced by school and system leaders, this workshop serves as a compass for mapping out a Generative AI implementation roadmap and strategy grounded in:
1) Best practice change management principles
2) Design thinking
3) Strategy-aligned investments
Also discussed was developing a responsible use policy and AI literacy initiative in parallel with your school and system’s strategic priorities.
When school leaders ask how to start responsibly adopting GenAI in their schools, Amanda's first piece of advice is to develop a practical GenAI academic integrity policy. Amanda created a guide to help you develop an AI policy for your school. Access the guide here.
We attended a blend of roundtables, panels, keynotes, and problem-solving workshops, leaving our team with a renewed purpose of helping K-12 schools solve some of their biggest challenges.
Their insights into creating equitable educational environments align with our mission to provide technology solutions that cater to all learners and ensure every student has the resources they need to succeed.
RTM Boston 2024 was more than just a conference; it was a call for innovation, inclusivity, and adaptation in the K-12 educational landscape. For Bluum, it reaffirmed our commitment to not just being a part of the conversation but actively contributing to the solutions that will shape the future of education. Our team left RTM Boston inspired and more motivated than ever to support educators and administrators in their quest to provide exceptional learning experiences for all students.
At Bluum, we go beyond upgrading your tech; we're your allies in crafting an educational future where technology elevates every student's learning experience. Find out how we can help your school prepare for tomorrow.
We're passionate about working hand-in-hand with school districts to harness the power of K-12 technology for remarkable student outcomes.
We're in the business of revolutionizing education through strategic technology solutions. From STEM labs and Esports arenas to modern learning environments, we offer the perfect mix of cutting-edge tech and unwavering support, unlocking a realm of possibilities for educators and students alike.
Dr. T.J. Vari
Deputy Superintendent
APPOQUINIMINK SCHOOL DISTRICT
Delaware
Mike Ketron
Supervisor of Career and Technical Education
BOTETOURT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Virginia
Dr. Deirdra Joyner
Deputy Superintendent
CHRISTINA SCHOOL DISTRICT
Delaware
Mike Graham
Chief Information Officer
HEMPFIELD SD
Pennsylvania
Ellen Martin
Assistant Superintendent of Schools
MARSHFIELD
Massachusetts
Jennifer Ferland
Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships
NEW BEDFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Massachusetts
Brooke Olsen-Farrell
Superintendent
SLATE VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Vermont
Fil Santiago
Director of Technology & Administrative Services
WEST ORANGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
New Jersey
Paula Dillon
Assistant Superintendent
BARRINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Rhode Island
Dr. Janet Womack
Assistant Superintendent
BOTETOURT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Virginia
Cathie Drury
Director of Educational Technology
COVENTRY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Connecticut
Patrick Fogarty
Director of Technology
JERICHO UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
New York
Chrystie Young
Director of STEM
MILLBURN TOWNSHIP PUBLIC SCHOOLS
New Jersey
Joseph Jones
Superintendent
NEW CASTLE COUNTY VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Delaware
Douglas Snow
Director of Technology
SOUTH KINGSTOWN
Rhode Island
Dr. Matthew Bolton
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
WESTFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
New Jersey
Dr. Lindsa McIntyre
Deputy Chief of Schools and Accountability
BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Massachusetts
Dr. Nicole Gittens
Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools
CAMBRIDGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Massachusetts
Lynn Cota
Superintendent
FRANKLIN NORTHEAST SUPERVISORY UNION
Vermont
Christopher Nelson
Information Technology Director
KATONAH-LEWISBORO UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
New York
Evan Abramson
Director of Innovation and Technology
MORRIS UNION JOINTURE COMMISSION
New Jersey
Adam Rogers
Director of Technology Services
OKLAHOMA STATE SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION
Oklahoma
Andrew Wallace
Director of Technology
SOUTH PORTLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Maine
Dr. Nikki Semas-Schneeweis
Director of Equity and MTSS
WHITMAN-HANSON
Massachusetts
Yozmin Gay Draper
Assistant Superintendent of Opportunity Gaps
BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Massachusetts