GenAI Unlocks New Possibilities in Education

Colleen Flannery, Chief Technology Officer, Chandler Unified School District

Colleen Flannery serves as the Chief Technology Officer at Chandler Unified School District. With over 28 years in education, she blends a deep passion for teaching with technological expertise. Her leadership drives innovation, supports educators, and advances digital transformation to enhance learning experiences across the district.

In this interview, Colleen Flannery offers a grounded, forward-looking view of educational technology leadership. From navigating rapid innovation to fostering district-wide digital literacy, she highlights how thoughtful integration, collaborative planning and a student-first mindset can shape more agile, inclusive and impactful learning environments across today’s evolving K–12 landscape.

A Journey from Classroom to Technology Leadership

I have been with Chandler Unified School District for 28 years, beginning my journey as a classroom teacher. Early on, I discovered a strong interest in technology, which led me to explore roles that deepened my understanding of educational technology. About nine years into my career, I transitioned into a project management position within the IT department. That shift, 17 years ago, revealed my deep passion for technology and my commitment to education.

Over time, I held various positions across departments, gaining valuable insight into school operations. Five years ago, I stepped into the role of Chief Technology Officer. I saw this as an opportunity to make a broader impact across the district. Every day has brought new challenges, especially during the pandemic, which pushed us to modernize classroom and operational systems. Today, I take great pride in combining my passions to support student success and staff development through technology.

Navigating Rapid Tech Integration in Education

There is no single challenge when integrating technology across K–12 systems today. It is a combination of many. One major issue is simply time. With the rapid acceleration of technology—especially since the rise of generative AI—there is a growing need to upskill and stay current. However, education as a system is not naturally agile. While individuals or departments may adapt quickly, the structure remains rooted in century-old delivery methods. Upskilling staff within limited time or contract hours and the need for ongoing training is a huge hurdle.

“We’ve partnered with teacher groups to co-develop specific learning progressions focused on GenAI. These progressions help teachers and students build skills to serve them in a rapidly evolving world”

Another challenge is ensuring that technology leadership is not limited to the tech department. Leaders across departments must understand how tech impacts their areas. In addition, tight budgets remain a constant issue. Public education often lacks the funding needed to evolve and train effectively, which makes addressing the other challenges even more difficult.

Embracing the Promise of GenAI in Education

I’m very connected within the EdTech community across the nation, and I truly believe that the latest advancements in artificial intelligence—particularly generative AI—represent a turning point for education. It’s the first time I’ve seen a technology with the potential to significantly impact a school district's instructional and operational sides. Every year, we ask our teachers to do more with less. Classrooms are more diverse, needs are more complex, and expectations continue to rise. Yet time, staffing and resources remain limited. GenAI offers the possibility to help bridge that gap—not by replacing teachers, but by supporting them.

This technology can help educators personalize instruction in ways that were previously impossible. At the same time, it can allow organizations to better analyze and act on the wealth of data we collect. That means stronger support for students and more strategic decision-making. Of course, we still need to ensure guardrails are in place. This kind of power must be directed carefully to benefit learners and not widen existing gaps.

One of our biggest initiatives currently centers on this potential. We’ve partnered with teacher groups to co-develop specific learning progressions focused on GenAI. These progressions help teachers and students build skills to serve them in a rapidly evolving world. Our EdTech and curriculum departments collaborate closely to train staff and implement these strategies across the district this year.

Finally, I believe EdTech will no longer be seen as a separate support function—it will become essential to teaching and school operations. The goal is to remove inefficiencies, free up valuable time, and allow educators to do what they do best: engage meaningfully with students and foster deep learning. That’s the future we’re building toward.

What It Takes to Lead Tech in Education

Becoming a Chief Technology Officer in education means entering a dynamic, demanding role. You need to be prepared for what I often call a fire hose experience. The job requires wearing many hats—you must understand and oversee different departments, be well-versed in cybersecurity, stay current with learning sciences and be a technology expert. But more than that, you must deeply understand how education works and how technology can effectively support and enhance that mission.

My advice to aspiring professionals is to keep learning and growing in all areas of education, not just technology. And most importantly, when the demands feel overwhelming, remember to break them down. Take that fire hose and find a way to turn it into manageable, meaningful sips. Stay curious, stay collaborative and remember that your ultimate goal is to support students and educators in meaningful ways.

EdTech

Educational Technology

Agile

AI

Project Management

Digital Transformation