Description

Human Centered AI - What Educators Want the Community to Know 

AI is a powerful tool, but it works when guided by people. In this panel, they'll discuss AI's role and limitations, sharing practical examples and best practices that emphasize human judgment, information literacy, and ethical use. Panelists will also explore how students and professionals are learning to use AI to support critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving, rather than as a replacement for human expertise. Sponsor - Vinny's Realty Group -

Panelists: Amy Taylor, Christie Brown, Megan Chambers and Michael Russell

Amy Taylor serves as Coordinator of Library and Media Services for Lee's Summit R-7 School District, where she coordinates library programs with a focus on fostering a love for reading and developing information literacy skills. In this role, she recently helped develop the district's AI guidelines, which she has presented at various conferences. With over 30 years of experience in education, Amy has served as a library media specialist, social studies teacher, and instructional technology specialist. She frequently presents on information literacy and building collaborative relationships between libraries and their patrons.

As the Library Media Specialist at East Trails Middle School, Christie Brown brings over three decades of educational expertise to her students. After 13 years teaching high school English, she transitioned to the library in 2008. She is a former president of the Greater Kansas City Association of School Librarians and an active member of the Missouri Association of School Librarians. Christie’s work has earned her several district honors, including the Lee’s Summit R-7 Excellence in Teaching and Teacher of Distinction awards

Megan Chambers is a librarian at Lee’s Summit West High School and the Lead Secondary Library Media Specialist for Lee’s Summit R-7 Schools. With over 25 years in education, she has taught more than 40 graduate-level courses and regularly leads professional development on evaluating information, using emerging technologies ethically, and understanding AI in learning. She loves working with high school students and helping them discover great books and research resources.

Michael Russell has been a teacher in the LSR7 district since 2004, and a librarian for the past 19 years. Michael and co-librarian Nathan Miller at Lee's Summit North have been recognized each of the past three years by DESE as an exemplary school library program, and LSN is the current Missouri school library of the year as recognized by the MIssouri Association of School Librarians. In his spare time Michael operates a market farm and enjoys eating tacos.