Jessica Lauder, Director of Special Education, and Sarah McFarland, Director of Educational Technology, were featured presenters at the Inspiration to Action Symposium, hosted by the El Dorado County Office of Education Charter School SELPA on February 11 in Sacramento. The symposium brought together special education leaders and educators from across California to share innovative practices, collaborate with peers, and explore strategies that improve outcomes for students with diverse learning needs.

Lauder and McFarland presented a session titled “Leading in the Age of AI: Empowering Charter School Leadership, Learning, and Inclusion.” Their presentation focused on how emerging AI tools can support educators in creating more inclusive, efficient, and responsive learning environments for students receiving special education services.

During the session, participants explored practical strategies for using AI to assist with instructional planning, differentiation, and administrative tasks. Lauder and McFarland emphasized the importance of thoughtful and ethical AI implementation while demonstrating how these tools can help educators better meet the diverse needs of their students.

This opportunity to present at the Inspiration to Action Symposium highlights Visions In Education’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and thoughtfully exploring the role of AI in expanding equitable learning opportunities for all students.