Technology Tools

AI in Elementary Education: Make It Personal

What does it take to reimagine learning? At Edison Park Elementary in Chicago, Principal Jeff Finelli and his team are redefining personalized learning with a thoughtful, strategic approach that puts students at the center. Through their participation in the LEAP Innovations Pilot Network, a cohort-based program that enables forward-thinking school teams to design, pilot and scale innovative approaches to sustainable school improvement and student-centered learning, Edison Park has embraced new methods, tools, and AI-driven strategies to create an innovative and efficient learning environment.

I sat down with Principal Finelli to discuss his vision for personalized learning, the school’s journey through the Pilot Network, and how AI is shaping their instructional practices.

Colleen Padgett, Senior Innovation Partner at LEAP Innovations: Before joining the Pilot Network, what did you hope your team would learn, shift, or experience? Are you seeing that happen? What have you noticed?

Jeff Finelli, Principal of Edison Park Elementary: Before joining the Pilot Network, I was looking for a way for my teachers to plan more efficiently, focus on meaningful student tasks, and rethink traditional instructional strategies. I knew the team of teachers I wanted involved in the professional development and was excited to see what positive change could happen.

One of the best pieces of advice you gave me was to include someone who might resist at first but could ultimately become a champion for change. That decision made all the difference. Since joining the Pilot Network, I’ve watched this person shift from skepticism to full investment. Going through the process, identifying our challenge, partnering with Playlab [an educational AI sandbox], and seeing that transformation unfold—especially in my most hesitant educator—has been incredible. It’s exactly the kind of growth I was hoping for, and it wouldn’t have happened without the space this process gave us to explore what really works.

Colleen: What have you noticed in terms of changes or growth within your Design Team, either individually or in how they collaborate?

Jeff: Time is often the biggest barrier for my teachers, which is why our focus in Pilot Network has been on making planning more efficient and ensuring what we present to students aligns with our personalized learning model. Initially, some teachers were hesitant—especially those who are Type A and don’t like making mistakes. But now, there’s a willingness to experiment, iterate, and learn from the process. Through the Pilot Network, we’ve had structured opportunities to explore AI with the team. Recently, one teacher couldn’t wait to show me what they had created with their AI bot in the classroom! Now comes the fine-tuning—figuring out how to make these tools work exactly as we need them to and ultimately sharing that learning with the rest of our staff.

Colleen: That’s so exciting to hear! Let’s talk about AI—can you share more about how AI is being used at Edison Park?

Jeff: Absolutely. AI has been a game-changer in terms of planning and efficiency at our school. When we were introduced to Playlab, I knew it was exactly what we needed within minutes of exploring it. Instead of spending valuable time searching for resources, teachers can now use AI to generate high-quality tasks, streamline lesson planning, and make real-time adjustments to their instruction. There’s a misconception that AI is replacing teaching, and it’s important to understand that it’s not—it’s about freeing teachers up to focus on deeper learning.

The response from teachers was overwhelmingly positive and they immediately saw how AI could transform their workflow and approach to planning. What’s exciting is that we’re actively shaping how AI tools work for our classrooms to support our personalized learning model.

Colleen: What from your Pilot Network experience will you carry into future work at Edison Park?

Jeff: The biggest takeaway has been the power of structured iteration. We’re embedding a design cycle into everything we do, not just for technology but for all aspects of our work. Our Instructional Leadership Team has embraced a “mess and test” mentality, refining ideas before rolling them out schoolwide. This experience has reinforced the importance of ongoing learning, teacher-driven innovation, and using technology as a strategic partner rather than just another tool.

I’ve been through design processes before, but something about the way the Pilot Network is structured—especially the balance between collaboration, reflection, and iteration—has influenced how I want to approach design thinking in my school to ensure real, lasting impact.

Colleen: You’ve called the LEAP Pilot Network the best professional development you’ve experienced. What makes it stand out?

Jeff: It’s been different because it’s not just theory—it’s hands-on, immersive, and directly tied to real classroom challenges. Instead of being handed a pre-packaged solution, we’ve had the opportunity to build, test, and refine ideas that actually fit our school’s unique needs. The ongoing coaching, the ability to tweak and iterate in real time, and the focus on teacher agency have made all the difference. I’ve watched my teachers grow while taking on meaningful, innovative work—and we’ve felt fully supported along the way.

If you are serious about making meaningful changes in how your school approaches learning, the Pilot Network is the place to be because it provides far more than tools—it provides a process, a mindset, and a support system to create something incredible.

Looking Ahead

Edison Park Elementary is a model of what’s possible when schools commit to personalized learning and teacher-driven innovation. Their journey through the LEAP Pilot Network has not only transformed their approach to planning and instruction but has also set the stage for continued advancements in AI and educational technology.

As Principal Finelli and his team continue to refine and expand their work, their experience offers valuable insights for other educators looking to embrace the future of learning. The path forward is about building the right structures, fostering a culture of experimentation, and ensuring that every student gets the best possible learning experience.

For schools considering a leap into personalized learning, Edison Park’s story is proof that with the right mindset and support, transformational change is within reach.

Photo at top of Edison Park Elementary School in Chicago by Molly Quinn.