Keeping people at the center of AI in education with Dr. Marcey Sorensen

Aaron Feuer [00:00:00]:

Welcome, everyone, to Leading and Learning with AI. I'm Aaron Feuer, and today we have a terrific guest. I'm joined by Dr. Marcey Sorensen, superintendent of La Joya ISD in Texas. If you don't know La Joya, it's one of the largest districts in the state, serving tens of thousands of students across a diverse community right in the Texas Mexico border. And what I admire deeply about Dr. Sorensen's leadership is the clarity that she brings to big, complex challenges while keeping what students need at the center. Whether it's chronic absenteeism, launching a new MTSS framework, or scaling consistent instructional support across their system.

Aaron Feuer [00:00:41]:

She's kept the focus on outcomes for all students, and now she's bringing the same mindset to AI. So today we're going to dig into how La Joya ISD moved from curiosity about AI to concrete outcomes. Welcome, Dr. Sorensen. I am thrilled to have you with us. And before we dive into AI, I want to start with you, and I'd love to hear what drew you into education leadership and what keeps you energized in the work today.

Dr. Marcey Sorensen [00:01:09]:

So, first of all, thank you. Thank you, Aaron, for having me. I am honored to be a guest here to have this conversation and bring the work to life for everyone who is, you know, curious about this space and interested in diving in. So actually, what brought me to educational leadership is my own story as a student. I'm sure that this would be shocking to those who know me. I was not a great student. I just really struggled with purpose, like, what was school about? Who was it for? Who was it designed for? Because I really didn't feel like it was always designed for me. And so my educational experience was always kind of this dual space for me.

Dr. Marcey Sorensen [00:01:50]:

And yes, I was acting as a student and doing the things that were required of me as a student, but I was always sitting there thinking, how do I make this better if I had the opportunity to do this myself? You know, I come from a family of educators. So if I had an opportunity to run a school, teach a class, and now run a system, how would I create it so that it's really student centered and that it is really about what is best for kids and all kinds of kids, because there is not just one type of student. And so that's what brought me to this space and, you know, navigated through multiple systems. And so here I am.

Aaron Feuer [00:02:27]:

I love that. I will admit I am surprised to hear that you were not a good student. I am not surprised at all to hear that you spent school thinking about, how could I make this better? And I feel like you're one of the most relentless champions of advancing the student experience. So I'm not at all. I can definitely picture, you know, young Dr. Sorensen sitting in class thinking, I know how I can make the system better.

Dr. Marcey Sorensen [00:02:48]:

And I've told them every time this isn't working.

Aaron Feuer [00:02:52]:

I love that. Well, it also explains to me, Eddie, in our work together, how much I've seen your deep focus on what do students need, what is the purpose of school, and just understanding every student. I love that. And so mainly Dr. Sorensen on the AI side. You know, I think for many leaders, listening, that first step is the hardest. Turning curiosity about something like AI into real momentum. And I think hearing your story is going to be powerful for folks.

Aaron Feuer [00:03:19]:

And I would love to hear how did your journey begin with AI at La Joya ISD?

Dr. Marcey Sorensen [00:03:24]:

Yeah. So I stepped into the role in February of 2024, having come off of spending time at the state doing work in Virginia as the deputy superintendent, where in Virginia, we were really thinking about AI more from a policy perspective and how to make sure that it was accessible and safe and what were the guardrails and things around implementation from a state perspective. And so then I step into the role of a district superintendent, and it's a whirlwind. And it's about, you know, what's happening instructionally, what's happening systemically, what's happening with all of the employees across the district. And you lose sight for a minute of that. There's this whole other AI world happening. And so I'm going to use this example that I've used every time. And so I'm sitting at a AI summit and I meet you and legitimately ask the question.

Dr. Marcey Sorensen [00:04:24]:

It was the. It was the exact question that I needed to hear, is that when you're thinking about this AI journey, it's really about what is the pain point in your district that AI can help you solve. And so just bells and whistles went off for me because we had really been having a lot of conversations about student intervention and student supports. I was going through strategic planning and listening to the community and listening to parents, listening to employees, and just listening a lot and hearing a lot of feedback just around this whole place of, you know, multi tiered systems of support, social, emotional, behavioral, attendance, special education. And so what was going to be our ecosystem of support and knowing how much human capital is required in that space, how could we use AI in that space to make sure that the, the People were doing the right work with our students and with our families. And where could we lighten their load in terms of whether it be data to determine who needed interventions or, you know, behavior plans or tracking and monitoring data points across multiple spaces? So it was just really the right question at the right time to really say, yep, and this is it.

Aaron Feuer [00:05:50]:

I very much appreciate that intentionality, and you touched on this a little bit, but I'm interested. What were some of the early quick wins that you saw that helped you build buy in around AI in La Joya?

Dr. Marcey Sorensen [00:06:02]:

Yeah. So it's really helping people see how tools and resources help them do their job better, faster, easier. I'll use an example. It's really helping our counselors triangulate multiple data points in a really simple fashion so that then they know which students need interventions, whether that's academic interventions, behavioral interventions, attendance interventions. Because, you know, you. You go to old ways of doing things, and you've got trackers and spreadsheets, and you're pulling data from multiple sources, and then the human capital is putting it all in, and, you know, then you do not even know if it's accurate. And then you have to do the analysis. And so now, through tools and resources that we have through AI now, our counselors can actually get to students faster and provide those intentional supports quicker and also with higher quality, because you're parsing out really, what is the human work, and where can we use the tools and resources to make their lives easier? And so our counselors are really starting to see how our tools and resources can really make their jobs lighter.

Aaron Feuer [00:07:22]:

I love that, and I love this focus on starting with the human. I think it can be so tempting to start with the technology. And I appreciate how in your approach to AI, it's begun with what is the work that we want our humans to do? How do humans support students? And then let's empower and support them in that process. And I am interested. A lot of hype around AI, I think maybe even a lot understates the level of hype. How have you separated the hype from tools that actually drive success for students?

Dr. Marcey Sorensen [00:07:54]:

Yeah, so I think that's a really great question, and I'm telling you, and, you know, I'm not just saying it because you're sitting here. I really don't look at anything yet that doesn't address a pain point. You know, there is never enough time in education. Like, if AI could solve and give us more time, that'd be great. And it does, though, in so many ways. And so when I'm listening across our system, I'm listening to what are the places and spaces where my teachers need more time or where my counselors need more time, where my principals need more time. And so if it doesn't solve a problem for us, then at this point, I'm being really tight about, yep, that could be a really, you know, shiny object over here. But if it doesn't really solve a problem that is going to improve student outcomes, then the hype doesn't matter.

Dr. Marcey Sorensen [00:08:51]:

And so we're really focusing on what is going to get us improved outcomes through better adult performance with tools and resources.

Aaron Feuer [00:09:02]:

I love that. And that tight alignment between. This is what we need to do as our district. These are our priorities, and let's make sure this is a tool in service of those problems in service.

Dr. Marcey Sorensen [00:09:13]:

And so I'll. I'll just like. So in our middle school classrooms, like, we have tools and resources where, you know, it really helps our teachers grade essays faster. And so then they can spend the time on instruction rather than on the grading of the essay. Right. It really then helps to decipher for our educators, where is the student struggling? Where does the student need different instructional support? Same thing on the elementary side. We're using some tools where, you know, we get data reports really saying, like, what basic foundational skills are kids struggling with as they're learning to read? And so again, it takes that off the teacher so that the teacher spends time on, say, phonological and phonemic awareness and actually teaching those things rather than trying to figure out, you know, what. What the student is struggling with.

Aaron Feuer [00:10:02]:

I love those very specific examples that I think bring home what's possible here. You've been so intentional, Dr. Sorensen, in bringing your educators, your staff, your families along in this journey. And I'm interested in, you know, what lessons you might share or how you've brought along your educators, your staff and families so they also feel supportive and see this opportunity for AI in the district.

Dr. Marcey Sorensen [00:10:26]:

Yeah. And it starts really basic, like with listening and really hearing, where folks are struggling on one side of it. Right. Where do people want to do better but just need better systems, tools, resources, processes, and then how can we get that to them? But then two, it's also just really listening to where people want us as a district to do better. And so how do we then listen to our families who were very clear with us during the whole strategic planning process that, like, we really need to figure out what is the ecosystem of supports that we provide for students around social, emotional, Behavioral health and all of that. And so we have to find a way as a district on how we're going to diagnose which kids need those faster while we then work on who are our external partners, who are the people that we're going to partner with to bring those supports, how do we train our counselors to do more of that counseling piece? And so there are parts of it that will never be replaced by actual human contact. But where do we need to do better as a district to provide better customer service? And so when we meet those needs, just by listening to what people want from us, is how you bring people along. I would add to the other piece of this, which, again, with AI, you always have to address.

Dr. Marcey Sorensen [00:11:51]:

So is student data safe? Where is family voice in the, you know, protection of their children? And so we have formed a district technology committee that includes business partners, that includes parents on that committee, so that anything that we're doing has a community voice to it to make sure that, say, you know, if we're rolling out new tools and resources, that our parents have a voice in that. If we're doing surveys, parents have a voice in that, that they know that our data security is actually secure. And so it's our responsibility to give the community the peace that they need, that anything that we're using meets the highest standards of data quality and data protections.

Aaron Feuer [00:12:38]:

That's terrific. And I'll underline, there were so many, I think, good tidbits and lessons for others in what you just shared. I would just underline. I think this point about centering student data privacy and security is an essential step. And I appreciate the focus on that paired with really bringing the community along and making sure they feel bought in and connected to this. I think you've really set it up so that the community and La Joya together is coming along on this journey to use AI. And it's, I think, very unique how you've done that and a lesson that I think many folks can take as they roll out AI in their school systems.

Dr. Marcey Sorensen [00:13:14]:

Yep, it's definitely a journey. I have a group of warriors also. I think that helps. I have a group of teachers that, like, work diligently on this through our EdTech department as well. And then I have my chief technology officer who also very much cares about cybersecurity and in all of the technical aspects of it, as we want to ensure, again, that anything that we do meets the highest standards. And so you've got, you know, the instructional tech and the ed tech folks who are champions of what it looks like in the classroom. But then you've also really got to make sure that you've got the technical knowledge in the district to make sure that the system side of it is really protected as well.

Aaron Feuer [00:13:59]:

Spot on. And you've touched on a couple pieces of how AI has supported educators in the district. You know, something I know a lot of folks are looking at now is how AI supports the MTSS process. And I know La Joya has been very intentional. You've rolled out recently a new MTSS framework. Could you share a bit more about how AI has supported that work?

Dr. Marcey Sorensen [00:14:22]:

Absolutely. This is my favorite part. And so here in La Joya, we learned really quickly that we did not have any type of, you know, multi tiered systems of support. How students were provided additional supports, whether that was behavioral, mental health, social, emotional, special education. There wasn't a clear road in terms of how those supports were parsed out, how they were diagnosed, things of that nature. And so we established a brand new district wide MTSS framework. Again, I have to say this, I'm sorry, this isn't about AI, but I feel I have to say this every time. MTSS is not the road to special education, it is the road to support.

Dr. Marcey Sorensen [00:15:02]:

And so we have partnered with Panorama through our MTSS work to ensure that we have these systems really tightly aligned to our MTSS framework. The alignment is essential. Any tool or resource that you're going to bring in has to align to the framework and the expectations of the adults that you have in your system like this. I mean, they have to mirror each other. And so Panorama has been a incredible partner, along with our partner of Edusolve, to really make sure that the framework matches our work with the tool and the resource. And so we have really rapid information on kids who needs behavioral support, who needs attendance support, who needs grade supports, who's on track with college, career, military readiness, all of these types of information and then through the tool that Panorama has, like really helps our counselors then. Right, because that's our first entry point in our district. Really helps our counselors in our campus, behavior specialists and all of the behavior and attendance folks here at central office really design really great behavior plans, intervention plans, academic plans, because AI helps them do that through the tool.

Dr. Marcey Sorensen [00:16:24]:

It's so beautiful. And it will actually personalize for that individual child because the child's data is actually right there in the system, class by class, day by day, period by period, their transcript where they've failed, classes where they're excelling. And so there is a Real personalized behavior plan or attendance plan or academic recovery plan for that child. And so again, so the human can do the work of the counseling, the interacting with the family, the interacting with the child and not spending time on A, crunching the data, B, writing the plan and, you know, picking the right words and then taking the data and putting it in the plan, but really using AI to say, here's a really great plan, now let me work on the relationship building and making sure that the right services are getting to the right student.

Aaron Feuer [00:17:19]:

It's such a powerful vision that we're able to kind of keep the human at the center. And I appreciate, as you describe this, I'm struck by both creating great efficiency, but also going beyond efficiency and AI helping teachers and helping kids thrive. And that feels like the core of the work is kind of building efficiency as a foundation, but really at the end of the day moving the outcomes for kids.

Dr. Marcey Sorensen [00:17:42]:

Well, and that's it. And when you asked before, like, how do we stay focused on, like, not the hype, but yet, you know, the right tools at the right time? It really is about, is this tool going to move the needle on student outcomes? And so again, you know, as we all work on chronic absenteeism across the nation, right, we're all struggling with it. How do we use AI not only to help us diagnose really quickly who is actually chronically absent, but how is it impacting their grades, how is it impacting whether they're on track to graduate? And then what do we need to do about it for each individual student? And that does keep the human at the center, right? Because then that counselor or that attendant specialist or that behavioral specialist or that principal now has the information to drill down student by student, kid by kid, class by class, to really identify then what are the, what are the human interactions that now need to take place where we're not spending time on the front end, you know, doing the data triangulation, the plan writing, and again, the plans are all research based, evidence based. And so now it's the human interaction that needs to take place. So if it doesn't move the needle, it doesn't matter.

Aaron Feuer [00:19:06]:

Spot on. And so maybe as we tie this together, I want us to get one more question. And I'm interested, Dr. Sorensen, so many great takeaways from your journey. If another superintendent asked you where to start, what advice would you give them to drive AI adoption and keep this focus on people and outcomes?

Dr. Marcey Sorensen [00:19:25]:

My advice really is it's that simple question, like, what's your pain point where can AI help you make your employees lives easier or your parents access to your district support services or your. Whatever it is, Right, whatever. Your community. And by community, I always say big C, big community, because that means your employees too. What do they need more time to focus on and how can AI help them get some time back to do the work that you really need them to do? Like what's the gripe and how do you use AI to, you know, heal the gripe a little bit? Because again, there's never enough time. There's never enough time, then there's never going to be enough time. And then the other piece, if I were to say that has to be side by side with that, always going back to parents and making sure that they are comfortable with what you are doing and making sure that they understand what you're doing because ultimately they want to make sure that anything that you're doing, that their children's data is private and that you are not putting anything about their children out into the, you know, atmosphere. And so bringing your community along as you work with any tools and resources, it's really important that your parents feel that the choices that you're making as a superintendent are safe.

Aaron Feuer [00:20:50]:

What a perfect place to end. Dr. Sorensen, huge appreciation for joining me today and thank you for how you've shared the story. It really stands out to me, you know, how you've kept this focus on purpose and on outcomes. You know, how you're showing that AI isn't just about, you know, the hype, it's about driving and solving real problems for your teachers, your students and your families. I don't think for everyone listening, you know, a few of the takeaways that I'm walking away from from our conversation, you know, one, how AI has to start with purpose and has to solve with real problem solving about what your community and I love this, your capital C community, your students, your families and your teachers and staff need. And two, your focus on tackling real challenges from chronic absenteeism to MTSs. And then three, I would just say how much leadership sets the culture around this and the way that Dr.

Aaron Feuer [00:21:47]:

Sorensen, you're framing this work around, ensuring we're supporting educators, keeping people at the center. This leadership tone has defined what it looks like and you brought it to life. This isn't just theory. La Joya ISD is putting this into practice right now at scale, improving education for tens of thousands of students. And that is a playbook that I think so many leaders can learn from. So Dr. Sorensen thank you. And I'll just say to everyone joining us today, if today's episode sparked ideas for you, please share it with a colleague.

Aaron Feuer [00:22:18]:

Hit, subscribe, follow the terrific work in La Joya ISD and join us next time. We've got some terrific guests coming up, and I can't wait to keep building this conversation with all of you. Thank you.

Dr. Marcey Sorensen [00:22:29]:

Thank you. My pleasure.