Leading the AI Transition in K–12: A Conversation with Kris Hagel
“If we don’t adapt, the world will change around us, and people will look for alternatives to public education.”
— Kris Hagel, CIO, Peninsula School District
Artificial intelligence is transforming the world of education, and few leaders are navigating this change as boldly as Kris Hagel, CIO of Peninsula School District in Gig Harbor, WA. In this episode of Vetted by Mark Vetter, Kris shares how his district became an early adopter of AI in schools, the challenges of changing entrenched mindsets, and what it takes to prepare students—and staff—for an AI-driven future.
From the Metaverse to AI Leadership
Kris explains that their AI journey didn’t begin with ChatGPT—it started when his team was exploring how the metaverse might impact schools. That curiosity quickly expanded into deeper work on artificial intelligence and its potential to reshape learning.
With strong support from the superintendent and school board, Peninsula SD built structures to embrace innovation, including a district-wide AI hub. Still, Kris is clear that the biggest challenge isn’t the technology—it’s the mindset.
“The hardest part is changing the narrative that AI is cheating. We need to see it as an essential tool, not something to fear.”
He compares the moment to the introduction of calculators in math classes decades ago—what was once considered “cheating” became a new standard for learning and problem-solving.
Preparing Staff for a New Era
One of Kris’s priorities is ensuring that teachers and principals aren’t left behind as AI accelerates. He notes that leadership training is especially crucial:
“Principals have to become instructional leaders in this space. If they don’t understand how AI fits in, they can’t guide their teachers to use it well.”
To that end, his district has invested in professional development sessions focused not just on “how AI works,” but on how to integrate it meaningfully into daily practice. Teachers are encouraged to experiment, ask questions, and rethink lesson design with AI in mind.
Rethinking Teaching and Assessment
For Kris, the biggest opportunity with AI isn’t just efficiency—it’s transformation.
“We can’t keep testing kids like we did 30 years ago. The world has changed, and AI is part of the toolkit they’ll need.”
This means moving away from rote memorization and one-size-fits-all testing, and toward assessments that measure critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity. He sees AI as a partner in helping teachers personalize learning and give students the skills to thrive in a workforce where automation is the norm.
Owning Data and Building Trust
Kris is also deeply concerned about the risks. As AI expands, he emphasizes the importance of student privacy and data ownership.
“If we don’t own our data, someone else will. And once we give it away, it’s almost impossible to get back.”
His district is actively building policies to protect families and ensure that data isn’t sold, misused, or harvested without consent. By taking ownership of these decisions now, Kris hopes to avoid future problems and set clear expectations with vendors.
Why Public Education Must Adapt
On the national stage, Kris has contributed to the Blueprint for Action on AI in education, ensuring practitioner voices shape the conversation. His perspective is grounded in urgency:
“If we don’t adapt, the world will change around us, and people will look for alternatives to public education.”
Kris warns that if schools cling to outdated practices while the world outside moves forward, they risk becoming irrelevant. Instead, he urges districts to lean into innovation and show families that public schools can lead with confidence and creativity.
A Vision for the Future
At the heart of Kris’s message is a belief that AI isn’t about replacing educators—it’s about empowering them. By reducing busywork, providing insights into student learning, and enabling new approaches to teaching, AI can help schools focus on what matters most: human connection.
“AI can’t replace a great teacher. But it can give that teacher more time, more insight, and more tools to reach kids in ways we couldn’t before.”
The Bottom Line
Kris Hagel believes AI is not a fad—it’s a fundamental shift that demands bold leadership in schools. By challenging assumptions, rethinking assessment, and taking ownership of data, he’s helping ensure that public education remains relevant in an AI-powered world.
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