Recap: aiEDU Trailblazers Class of 2025

Each year, aiEDU recruits several cohorts of K-12 educators who are ready to build their own capacity for teaching AI literacy.

The aiEDU Trailblazers Fellowship connects participants to resources for building AI-ready students, including classroom exercises and a network of nationwide educators to share ideas and insights with each other. In 2025, the Trailblazers Fellowship hosted 177 fellows across 8 geographic cohorts. Last year’s Trailblazers came from 25 states and represented every grade band and subject area.

Perhaps most importantly, 84% of Trailblazers said that the fellowship improved their own skills to instill AI readiness in their students and colleagues.

But don’t take our word for it – here’s what the Trailblazers themselves say about the  fellowship:

• "This fellowship has been such a meaningful and energizing experience for me.
  
  It’s inspiring to be part of a community so dedicated to making AI education accessible, creative, and equitable. I truly enjoyed connecting with other educators and seeing how each of us brought unique perspectives to the work.
  
  I feel very aligned with aiEDU’s mission and would love to continue collaborating and contributing in any way that supports the organization’s growth and impact."
  
  — Dionna Rodgers
  Lead teacher, East Harlem Elementary School & East Harlem Middle School (New York)
  

• "One to two years ago, I felt very alone looking at AI.
  
  So, it was great to find a community where I could talk to other teachers who were like-minded. We understood all of the great things that were coming out because of AI, and how it could help our students as well as us in the classroom. I didn't feel that anywhere else other than in that community."
  
  — Stefany Palomba
  Science teacher of 27 years, Canton City Schools (Ohio)

• "I felt like it was a really good foundation to start having some conversations with students about AI. What I've noticed is that it's like a snowball that starts rolling because the students start to bring up things... I’m now the ‘AI Guy’ at my school because I'm talking a lot about this!
  
  — Connor Mulvaney
  Former science teacher & district AI lead, Polson High School (Montana)
  

We’ll be opening applications for the upcoming 2026 Trailblazers very soon.
Be sure to subscribe to our educators newsletter to be notified first!