Getting to Know AI: A Superintendent’s Personal Journey
March 01, 2025
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Reverse Mentorship: Learning from the Next Generation
As education leaders, we find navigating new and frequent changes in our technological landscapes can be overwhelming. One of the most impactful lessons I’ve learned is the value of reverse mentorship — inviting younger, tech-savvy individuals to guide me through areas I might not fully understand.
In my experience, this approach refreshes and expands my skills and understanding beyond the world of artificial intelligence curiosity, especially as I dive deeper.
I spent years in education, comfortable with my leadership style and confident in my experience, but when I encountered the rapid rise of AI, I realized I couldn’t go it alone.
I felt behind on understanding technology. That’s when I turned to younger colleagues, what I now call my “reverse mentors.” They were the ones already deeply immersed in these tools and platforms that were reshaping how we communicate and learn.
Through them, I explored platforms such as Discord, TikTok, Mighty and Clubhouse — spaces I’d never considered useful in professional development but ones that proved potentially useful. These platforms weren’t just social media for the next generation. They were places where collaboration, innovation and learning were happening in real time.
A Mindset Shift
Our world is evolving too quickly for any leader to stay relevant by doing things the way we’ve always done them. This is especially true with technology. Whether it’s AI or new digital platforms, the next generation holds the key to understanding and unlocking the potential of these technologies.
Reverse mentorship for me is about more than learning how to use a platform. It is about shifting my mindset, being willing to embrace new ways of thinking and acting to meet the needs of the students, staff, parents and community I serve.
Younger professionals grew up with personal technology and have an instinctive understanding of how these tools function, largely due to their early exposure and continuous use. These platforms are where the generations we serve spend their time, and younger professionals provide new ways to communicate our district’s vision in ways that improve engagement with students, staff, parents and the broader community.
When I see how effortlessly my reverse mentors navigate these spaces, I recognize the immense value in listening and learning from them.
Optimizing Value
How can you get the most out of reverse mentorship? Consider these ways.
Stay open and ask questions. It’s easy to assume that years of experience mean you should have all the answers. But I’ve learned the importance of curiosity. You don’t have to be the expert in everything. Ask questions, stay curious and be open to learning from others, even those with little or no experience in leadership.
Explore new platforms. When I first heard of platforms such as Discord or TikTok, I couldn’t imagine their relevance to leadership or K-12 education. But exploring them opened my eyes to their potential. You don’t have to master every platform, but being familiar with them can provide insights into how the next generation shares information, thinks, learns and collaborates.
Build a diverse network. It’s not just about finding younger mentors — it’s about widening your circle to include those who think differently. Working with people from diverse industries and backgrounds allowed me to see beyond my immediate concerns and understand how innovation is shaping different sectors. This broader perspective helps me stay adaptable and open to new solutions.
Following Curiosity
Engaging in reverse mentorship has reshaped my approach to leadership. It’s helped me recognize that staying relevant isn’t just about learning new skills. It’s about listening to fresh perspectives and adapting to new realities. Leaders who embrace this approach are more likely to stay ahead of the curve, build stronger teams and foster an innovative, forward-thinking culture.
Reverse mentorship is about more than technology. It’s about understanding the future, embracing the mindset of the next generation and evolving as a leader in an ever-changing world.
Through reverse mentorship, I’ve learned that leading is as much about following curiosity, following new ideas and, most importantly, following those who can teach us something new.
— Jerry Almendarez
Innovation Catalyst Collective: Building a Future-Ready Framework
Santa Ana, Calif., Unified School District, fosters a culture of innovation that means more than just introducing new technologies. It involves a strategic, thoughtful approach that prioritizes student-centered learning, equity and community collaboration.
That’s why we created the Innovation Catalyst Collective. Our collective is about building a future-ready educational framework that combines strategic foresight, co-creating solutions and collaborating continuously to reimagine what teaching, learning and leading will look like in an AI-driven world.
The collective is made up of a diverse group of educators, administrators and staff who are passionate about transforming education. To drive this mission, we focus on comprehensive training, including foresight essentials, design thinking, improvement science and equity work.
These skills ensure our team has the right tools and shared language to approach innovation together with a unified, forward-thinking mindset.
Primary Duties
The collaborative serves some key roles for its members and the district.
Piloting AI tools. A principal role is to try new AI tools in both classrooms and operational settings. Our teachers are testing adaptive learning platforms, AI-enhanced lesson planning and tools that make tasks such as grading and student engagement easier. Some of our educators are experimenting with personalized learning paths that use AI to adjust in real time to student needs. Administrators are using AI to make our operations more efficient, whether it’s automating inventory tracking or improving communication between departments.
Employing strategic foresight. The collaborative is committed to making sure we stay ahead of emerging trends. Using methodologies from partners with expertise in strategic foresight, we study potential scenarios and plan for multiple possibilities in education. This helps us stay prepared for shifts in technology, workforce demands and societal changes, positioning Santa Ana Unified as a leader in future-ready education.
Fostering collaboration. A major strength of the collective is our commitment to co-creating solutions with input from voices across the district. This inclusive approach means the solutions we develop are grounded in the real needs of our educators and students. For example, the Innovation Catalyst Collective’s Curiosity Crews — specialized teams within the collective — focus on specific areas such as policy development and ethical use of AI, creating tools such as the AI Compass to set guardrails.
This spirit of collaboration means innovation is a shared responsibility, and our strategies are continuously refined based on diverse perspectives.
Closing equity gaps. We ensure our future strategies remain focused on equity and inclusion. AI has the potential to reduce disparities by personalizing learning and ensuring all students get the resources they need. The ICC focuses on using tools to close opportunity gaps, especially for our historically underserved students. Our commitment to equity is at the core of our innovations, ensuring everyone benefits from what we create.
Framework for the Future
The work of the Innovation Catalyst Collective is about developing a strategic blueprint for integrating AI and other emerging technologies into education. This isn’t just about adopting technology — it’s about reshaping the entire educational experience to be more personalized, inclusive and forward-thinking. Our goal is to create a community of practice within the district, where continuous learning, experimentation and iteration are part of our culture.
By combining foresight, collaboration and equity-driven innovation, the collective is laying the foundation for an education system that doesn’t just embrace AI but uses it to transform how we teach and lead and how students learn.
Santa Ana Unified’s Framework for the Future is our proactive approach to ensure we stay adaptable and ready for the challenges of an AI-driven world, giving our students and educators the tools they need to thrive in the years ahead.
— Jerry Almendarez
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