Lipscomb Dean Joins National Panel on AI Teacher Training

Leslie Cowell, dean of Lipscomb University’s College of Education, has been named to the Educator Preparation Advisory Council. The new panel will guide how future teachers are trained to use artificial intelligence in classrooms and schools.

The council was convened by Ed3 Global and Deans for Impact. It operates as part of a multi-year research project called the Portrait of a Teacher in the Age of AI. The initiative examines how the role of teachers is changing due to new technology. The goal is to create frameworks that define the skills and mindsets educators need to succeed.

Cowell is one of 22 leaders serving on this specific council. Members come from various backgrounds, including public and private universities, community colleges, and teacher residencies. Ed3 has also formed a separate K-12 Advisory Council with more than 40 partner organizations. That group includes Pearson, Google, and Teach For America. The two councils work together to align teacher training with the needs of schools and students.

“At Lipscomb, we have already embraced the thoughtful integration of artificial intelligence into teaching and learning,” Cowell said. She noted that serving on the council allows the university to share its experience with a national audience. Cowell emphasized that while AI will change aspects of teaching, human relationships and professional judgment remain essential for educators.

Lipscomb’s College of Education received the 2026 American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Best Practice Award earlier this year. The award recognized the college’s innovative use of AI-powered learning tools in its educational leadership programs. Faculty developed these tools to let aspiring school leaders practice complex scenarios and ethical decisions through interactive conversations.

Vriti Saraf, co-founder and CEO of Ed3 Global, said the project aims to rethink the teaching profession rather than just make existing practices more efficient. Valerie Sakimura, CEO of Deans for Impact, added that the council members are positioned to answer hard questions about instructional decisions in AI-enabled classrooms. The advisory group will review the project’s research agenda and provide feedback on evolving teacher competencies.

The final guidance from the councils is intended for preparation programs, school districts, and policymakers. It aims to help stakeholders support teachers in their specific contexts while maintaining human judgment in the classroom.