July 26, 2026
From Pickerington Local School District
Pickerington, OH — Four members of the Pickerington Local Schools community traveled to Boston earlier this month to help shape the future of artificial intelligence in education after being selected for the inaugural 2026 Leadership and Innovation Fellowship during America’s Youth AI Festival, which took place July 17–19 in Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts, as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration.
Representing Pickerington Local Schools were:
Student Senators
- Hunter Wurzel, Senior – Pickerington High School Central
- David McCahon Linares, Senior – Pickerington High School North
Education Leaders
- Zachary Tullis, Coordinator of Assessment and Instructional Technology
- Curt Householder, Instructional Coach
Together, the four joined education leaders and student representatives from all 50 states for a three-day leadership experience focused on the responsible, ethical, and innovative use of artificial intelligence in K-12 education.
The Fellowship provided participants with an opportunity to collaborate with nationally recognized education leaders, AI experts, and fellow students while exploring how artificial intelligence can help shape the future of teaching, learning, and civic engagement. The weekend’s experience placed students at the center of a national conversation about the responsible use of artificial intelligence in education, ensuring their perspectives help inform how AI is integrated into schools nationwide.
As Student Senators, Wurzel and McCahon Linares participated in a first-of-its-kind national deliberation at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute, where students from across the country developed recommendations for a National AI Policy for public K-12 classrooms. The students were chosen to participate because of their leadership, engagement, and contributions through the leadership groups at their respective high schools. Their commitment to serving others and amplifying student voices has distinguished them as thoughtful student leaders.
Education Leaders Zachary Tullis and Curt Householder—chosen by Superintendent Dr. Charles Smialek to represent Pickerington Local Schools—participated in leadership workshops led by experts from MIT RAISE, Day of AI, AASA, and the Edward M. Kennedy Institute. Sessions focused on responsible AI implementation, educational leadership, and preparing students for a rapidly evolving future.
As an instructional leader committed to helping educators thoughtfully integrate emerging technologies, Tullis looked forward to collaborating with colleagues from across the country. Asked what he hopes to bring back to Pickerington Local Schools, he shared:
“The most valuable part of this Fellowship will be learning alongside students, educators, and national leaders who are helping shape the future of artificial intelligence in education,” said Coordinator of Assessment and Instructional Technology Zachary Tullis. “I’m honored to represent Pickerington Local Schools and look forward to bringing back practical ideas that help our teachers use AI responsibly, strengthen student learning, and expand opportunities for student voice in shaping how AI is taught and used in our schools. The future of AI in education shouldn’t be decided only for students—it should be shaped with them.”
For Instructional Coach Householder, the fellowship offered an opportunity to explore how artificial intelligence can support teaching while preserving the relationships that remain at the heart of education. Asked how he envisions AI helping educators while keeping students at the center of learning, he said:
“Artificial intelligence will undoubtedly play an important role in the future of education, helping educators analyze information, personalize learning experiences, and create more opportunities to focus on students,” said Householder. “When used responsibly, AI can enhance the work of educators, but it cannot replace the qualities that define our humanity. Creativity, compassion, love, spirit, hope, joy, laughter, and genuine relationships are the forces that shape who we are and give meaning to our lives. AI can support our work, but it is people who inspire, encourage, and transform one another. I am excited to learn alongside students and educators from across the nation as we help develop policies and frameworks that harness the power of AI while preserving the human heart at the center of teaching and learning.”
“The future of education depends on our willingness to embrace innovation while remaining grounded in what is best for students,” said Superintendent Dr. Charles Smialek. “I am proud to have Zachary, Curt, Hunter, and David representing Pickerington Local Schools on a national stage. Their selection reflects the caliber of leadership and innovation taking place throughout our District, and I am confident they will return with valuable insights that will benefit our students, staff, and community. When our educators and students have opportunities to learn, lead, and collaborate on a national stage, our entire District benefits.”
The selection of four Pickerington Local Schools representatives reflects the District’s ongoing commitment to cultivating academic excellence, developing future-ready learners, and empowering both students and educators to lead through innovation. Their participation reflects the District’s vision of preparing learners to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven world while ensuring technology is used responsibly, ethically, and in ways that enhance teaching and learning.
America’s Youth AI Festival brought together approximately 250 students, educators, school leaders, and partners from across the nation for programs centered on AI literacy, civic engagement, student leadership, and the future of learning. A complete list of participating Student Senators and School Leaders is available on the America’s Youth AI Festival website. In addition to the Student Senate, the Festival featured student innovation competitions, AI-focused exhibitions, leadership workshops, and collaborative learning experiences hosted by nationally recognized education and technology organizations.
The Fellowship was presented through a partnership among Day of AI, MIT RAISE, AASA, The School Superintendents Association, and the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate.
As artificial intelligence continues to transform education and the workforce, Pickerington Local Schools remains committed to equipping students and educators with the knowledge, skills, and ethical foundation needed to thrive in an AI-driven world.
About Pickerington Local Schools
About Day of AI: Started in 2021 through MIT’s RAISE (“Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education”) initiative, Day of AI enables K-12 students, families, and educators to thrive in the age of AI. Day of AI’s mission is to equip educators around the world with the knowledge and tools to integrate AI responsibly into their classrooms, and its free curriculum is available at www.dayofai.org.
About MIT RAISE: The MIT RAISE Initiative (raise.mit.edu) empowers everyone to use AI responsibly, authentically, and with impact. Its mission is to advance science and innovation of AI-enabled technologies, experiences, and global programs to deepen learning, spark creativity, and empower everyone to make a better world with AI.
About AASA, The School Superintendents Association: AASA, The School Superintendents Association, founded in 1865, is the premier association for school system leaders and serves as the national voice for public education and district leadership on Capitol Hill. A professional community of more than 10,000 educational leaders, AASA and its members are committed to providing high-quality public education to all students. For more information, visit aasa.org.
About the Edward M. Kennedy Institute: Founded in 2015, the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate is dedicated to educating the public about the important role of the Senate in our government, encouraging participatory democracy, invigorating civil discourse, and inspiring the next generation of citizens and leaders to engage in the civic life of their communities. Home to the only full-scale replica of the United States Senate in the world, the Kennedy Institute also facilitates experiential civic education programs that has to date served nearly 200,000 students nationally. Learn more at emkinstitute.org.
