On April 29, educators, technology specialists, and academic leaders—including Fort Lewis College Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Mario Martinez and Durango School District 9-R Superintendent Karen Cheser—came together for The AI Learning Continuum: How K-12, College, and Careers Connect. The event was designed to facilitate collaborative planning across educational levels and strengthen a shared commitment to preparing students for a rapidly evolving, AI-integrated world.

Shared goals, collective insights

Participants engaged in a discussion centered on one of the three guiding questions:

• How might we help students build AI confidence and capability through everyday learning?
• How might we prepare students to use AI tools responsibly, creatively, and ethically?
• How might we strengthen collaboration between K–12 and higher education to support AI readiness?

While many attendees identified as having advanced AI experience, groups included participants from 9-R and FLC with a range of comfort levels—from early adopters to those still building confidence. Each group then selected one of the guiding questions to begin generating ideas.

One group proposed developing a shared digital repository—an evolving collection of AI-related teaching strategies, assessment examples, and classroom applications contributed by FLC and 9-R educators. This resource could support professional learning, particularly for those new to AI tools or seeking guidance on implementation strategies.

Another group called for the creation of a training continuum to support AI learning for faculty, staff, students, and even community members. The model could align with the “AI Continuum” framework and ensure consistent professional development across roles and experience levels.

Participants agreed: building AI literacy and promoting responsible AI use requires collaboration. They emphasized the importance of alignment between the K-12 and higher education systems to ensure students experience continuity in digital learning and ethical AI practices.

Participants also identified key barriers to implementation, including staffing constraints, limited time for professional development, and misconceptions about the role of AI in learning. Suggestions included offering release time for conference attendance, incentivizing faculty engagement, and supporting peer-led efforts to demystify AI for hesitant colleagues.

Looking ahead

The AI Learning Continuum underscored the need for collaboration across institutions. By aligning efforts across K-12 and higher education, and grounding them in shared values, we can better prepare students with the digital skills they need to thrive.

The AI Institute will explore opportunities for FLC and 9-R to continue this dialogue and collaborate in the future. To learn more or get involved, contact us at ai@fortlewis.edu.

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