Six Educators Selected for 2026-27 ISTE+ASCD Voices of Change Fellowship Amid AI-Driven School Transformation

The ISTE+ASCD Voices of Change Fellowship has named six K-12 educators and school leaders to its 2026-27 cohort, the organization announced today. These educators will document their efforts to adapt teaching and learning in an era reshaped by artificial intelligence and rapid technological change.

The selection comes as schools across the country rethink instructional models, roles, and systems to prepare students for a future defined by AI. The fellowship provides a platform for frontline educators to share their experiences through first-person essays and multimedia stories published on EdSurge.

“We heard from countless applicants who are already guiding their communities toward innovative practices that will define the future of learning,” said the program editor for the fellowship. “The vision reflected in this cohort is both inspiring and urgent.”

The six fellows represent a cross-section of roles—including classroom teachers, principals, and instructional coaches—from diverse geographic regions. Their stories will highlight real-time challenges and solutions in adopting AI tools, rethinking curriculum, and redesigning school systems.

“This isn’t just about technology,” the editor added. “It’s about reimagining what it means to teach and learn in a world where AI is becoming as fundamental as reading and math.”

Background

The Voices of Change Fellowship was launched to empower educators closest to the classroom to lead conversations on educational transformation. Now in its sixth year, the program selects a small cohort each academic year to share candid reflections on innovation, equity, and the evolving role of teachers.

Fellows contribute regular content to EdSurge, offering a ground-level view of how AI and other technologies are reshaping pedagogy and policy. Past cohorts have explored topics such as personalized learning, digital citizenship, and the integration of generative AI in lesson planning.

The application process for the 2026-27 cohort drew a record number of applicants, reflecting the growing urgency among educators to navigate these shifts. “Teachers and leaders are hungry for a space to voice what’s really happening in their schools,” a program official noted.

What This Means

The 2026-27 fellowship arrives at a critical inflection point. With AI tools like ChatGPT and adaptive learning platforms already in many classrooms, educators are grappling with questions of ethics, access, and instructional design. The fellows’ published work will offer peer-to-peer guidance and policy insights.

By amplifying practitioner voices, the program aims to bridge the gap between classroom reality and district-level decision-making. It also seeks to counter the narrative that technology alone can solve systemic educational challenges.

“The most powerful insights come from those who work with students every day,” the editor said. “This fellowship ensures those insights reach a national audience.”

As the 2026-27 school year unfolds, the six fellows will document both successes and setbacks—providing a real-time case study in how schools can evolve without losing sight of equity and human connection.

For more on the program and past cohorts, see the Background section above or visit EdSurge’s Voices of Change series.