St. Vrain Valley Schools

The Innovation Center is the next step in public education. We are a catalyst, incubator, and bridge between education, industry, and our community.

Assistant Superintendent of Innovation

Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Consultant

Chief Technology Officer

Adams 12 Five Star Schools

Director of Instructional Technology

Boulder Valley School District

Senior Operations Manager

Carrier Access Corporation

Sales Engineer & Technical Trainer

#leadership  #personaldevelopment #technology #edtech

Joe McBreen

AI’s IQ is rising at a pace that should cause every K–12 leader to pause.
Not in fear.
In honesty.

For decades, schools have relied on certain signals to tell us whether learning happened. Memorization. Following known procedures. One-time performance tasks completed under controlled conditions.

Those signals worked because they were hard to fake.

AI changes that.

When a tool can instantly recall facts, follow steps, and produce polished work on demand, a correct answer no longer reliably proves understanding. A clean essay no longer guarantees original thinking. A solved problem no longer confirms conceptual mastery.

The signal gets noisy.

So the question for schools should not be, “How do we keep AI out?”

The real question is, “What counts as evidence of learning now?”

If you want a clear-eyed look at how fast this shift is happening, spend a few minutes nosing around trackingai.org. 

The pace of progress is both sobering and clarifying.

In St. Vrain Valley Schools, we’ve been leaning into this shift through Design Thinking. Students learn to frame problems, test ideas, gather feedback, and iterate. 
The process matters as much as the product. 

That mindset transfers far beyond any single tool or technology.

Recently, Stefan Bauschard also challenged my thinking around debate as a critical skill in the AI era. When students can argue, question assumptions, evaluate claims, and defend their reasoning, they develop judgment that no model can automate.

This is the work.

K–12 must move upstream toward what still compounds for humans:
Explaining reasoning
Making decisions with incomplete information
Applying knowledge in new or messy contexts
Iterating based on feedback
Exercising judgment, ethics, and purpose
Debating (hat tip to you, Stefan)

AI’s rapid cognitive growth clarifies the value of education. 
AI does not diminish it.

Our job is not to compete with machines on raw “intellect”.
Our job is to help students develop wisdom, agency, and the ability to apply intelligence in human contexts.

So I’ll leave it here:
What’s your district’s plan?
Is it to redesign learning around how humans think, reason, and decide?

Or is it to bolt AI onto what we’re already doing and call it done?

This isn’t a crisis.

It’s a forcing function.

And it’s calling K–12 to change. 

Dare I say, to lead?

Assistant Superintendent of Innovation. Transforming education one algorithm at a time. Explores leadership, change, growth, and exponential technologies.

Open article: Tracking AI by trackingai.org

Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC)

View group: Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC)

🚀 FETC Countdown: This Is a Game Changer 🚀 8 days to go!

For the first time ever at the Future of Education Technology Conference , we’re hosting a fully student-produced nighttime drone show! 

Coming to FETC from Longmont, Colorado, the Innovation Center of St. Vrain Valley School District Schools is bringing the world’s first high school student-led outdoor drone performance team.

This is real-world learning—on a national stage.  Eight high school students, guided by one educator, spent more than 60 hours individually coding a custom aerial “game changer” themed show using Python and Blender, programming 500+ drones, composing original music, and executing a fully FAA-approved commercial drone performance. These students earned FAA commercial drone pilot licenses and are operating at a professional, market-ready level.

This is Career & Technical Education (CTE) at its best—where engineering, computer science, aviation, creative design, music production, and project management come together in powerful, authentic learning.

At FETC, we don’t just talk about the future of education.We put it in the sky. ✨don’t miss this amazing event Monday, January 12th!

#FETC #CTE #GameChangers #StudentVoice #FutureReady #EdTech #InnovationInEducation District Administration  Joe McBreen  Daniel Hernandez  @

You've come to the right place to network with fellow ed tech enthusiasts and gain insight on how to achieve your classroom, school and districtwide technology goals. For over 40 years, the Future of Education Technology® Conference has gathered the most dynamic and innovative education leaders and professionals from around the world for an intensive, highly collaborative exploration of new technologies, best practices and pressing issues. Past or future attendance is not required to join. The group is a year-round extension of the conference with discussions and comments from ed tech experts and successful real-world practitioners to ensure you are getting the latest and best guidance for your technology challenges. Click on the “Join” button, and with a proper connection to education technology, you'll be approved within 48 hours.

I have a BS in Elementary Education from Kent State University and spent over four years teaching in primary grades across Ohio and Colorado. I am passionate about creating engaging and effective learning experiences for students while finding ways to make teachers’ lives easier, because teaching is one of the most challenging and rewarding jobs out there.

In January 2024, I transitioned into EdTech as an Account Executive at Quizizz. This role allowed me to combine my love for education with business development and client success, while expanding my skills in technology, communication, and problem-solving. I discovered how much I enjoy helping educators and organizations find solutions that truly make a difference in learning.

I am now exploring opportunities where I can continue to make an impact in education and EdTech, whether through sales, consulting, contracting, or learning innovation. I bring a unique perspective as both an educator and a business professional, and I am motivated by roles that allow me to connect people, technology, and meaningful learning experiences.

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