By LINCOLN MYERS
Tiger Media Network
Educators from across the region gathered Monday, April 7, at Fort Hays State University for the “Teaching for Tomorrow: AI Strategies for K-12” symposium, a full-day event designed to introduce teachers, administrators, and education students to artificial intelligence (AI) tools and strategies that can enhance learning in the classroom.
The event opened with breakfast and networking before diving into six presentations and a keynote panel. The symposium was part of the TEACH 200 program and aimed to help attendees explore AI concepts, instructional integration, ethical considerations, and collaboration with fellow educators.
The first session was led by FHSU student Tyler Preisser, who shared a message on how AI has already reshaped his life and career.
“AI makes my life possible,” Preisser said. “If this was two years ago and I didn’t have AI, I would not be able to do any of the things that I do.”
Preisser, who balances being a student with working as a VP of operations and solutions engineer at HG Oil Holdings, explained how AI helps him automate tasks, code quickly, manage communications, and even build tech-driven businesses. One such project is a personalized shopping website powered by AI, aimed at helping men buy meaningful gifts for women in their lives.
He demonstrated how AI can create shortcuts for mobile devices, such as using Siri to start his car.
“I have an application that starts my car but I can’t use Siri to do it yet…so I coded a shortcut using AI and now I can use Siri to start my car,” he said.
Throughout his talk, Preisser emphasized that AI is a tool—not a threat—and encouraged attendees to see it as a way to increase efficiency and stand out in the workplace.
“Prompt engineering is becoming huge,” he said. “People that are good at using AI are really good at talking to it.”
Preisser noted that some AI prompt engineers are replacing traditional coders.
He also discussed the limitations of AI, such as its inability to understand emotion, tone, or intuition.
“AI doesn’t have experiences. It doesn’t have feelings. It only understands what you type,” he said. “It’s like texting your significant other. It can misinterpret things very easily.”
For educators, Preisser stressed the importance of teaching students both how to use AI effectively and how to offer what AI cannot.
“AI can’t communicate like a human. It can’t share life experiences. That’s where teachers have a ton of power,” he said. “You can teach students things AI never will.”
Later sessions included presentations on AI applications in special education, classroom planning, and curriculum design. The day concluded with a keynote panel discussion featuring Cheyenne Brannan, Matthew Clay, and Paul Adams, moderated by Magdalene Moy.
Program organizers hope the symposium will inspire K-12 educators to engage with AI tools in thoughtful, ethical, and practical ways. With AI rapidly becoming an expectation in many professions, educators are now faced with the challenge—and opportunity—of preparing students for a world where understanding and working alongside AI is a key part of success.
More information about the program can be found on the Professional and Continuing Education website at FHSU.
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