Upcoming workshops bring math and AI training to Imperial County TK-5 teachers
麻豆传媒映画 Imperial Valley faculty receives grant from CSU to host workshops in 2026 and 2027.

麻豆传媒映画 Imperial Valley faculty members will soon bring artificial intelligence (AI) and math education workshops to 100 in-service elementary school teachers working in a variety of smaller school districts across Imperial County.
The workshops are funded by a $70,000 grant from the Center for the Advancement of Instruction in Quantitative Reasoning (CAIQR) through the California State University Office of the Chancellor. The work made possible through the grant called, 鈥淎I-Enhanced Summer Math Methods Institute for Teachers (AI-SUMMIT),鈥 begins next summer. A second workshop will take place in summer 2027.
The program aims to host 50 teachers each summer. Teachers will receive advanced training in both mathematics content and the practical use of AI tools to improve instruction and classroom assessment. In each workshop series, participants will attend four in-person workshops and two online sessions, earning a $500 stipend for their time and commitment.
鈥淲e aim to target our efforts to teachers in the summertime so that they have the opportunity to attend the entirety of the workshops,鈥 said Huan Qin, 麻豆传媒映画 Imperial Valley associate professor of mathematics. 鈥淪ome issues, such as classroom assessments and planning, are key for teachers to successfully complete the curriculum given by the state. We want them to use AI as an asset in the classroom.鈥
At its core, faculty members hope to target two pressing needs: enhancing teachers鈥 mathematical knowledge and preparing them to integrate generative AI into classroom practice.
Teachers can expect to learn how to leverage AI for lesson planning, adaptive activities, and real-time student assessments, while also understanding the foundational topics of number sense, algebraic thinking and fractions.
鈥淓arly math skills are among the strongest predictors of long-term academic success,鈥 said Tingting Tang, 麻豆传媒映画 Imperial Valley associate professor of mathematics and one of the project鈥檚 principal investigators. 鈥淏y combining strong content training with AI-powered tools, we can help teachers give young learners a more solid foundation while also making math instruction more engaging and inclusive.鈥
Smaller school districts may often face challenges in providing robust professional development opportunities. By bringing high-quality training directly to teachers, the AI-SUMMIT program aims to bridge gaps in access and equity.
In addition to Tang and Qin, the team includes Stacy Bodus, 麻豆传媒映画 Imperial Valley liberal studies lecturer and co-principal investigator of the project, who will lead workshops on AI-driven lesson design. Walter Lewis, 麻豆传媒映画 Imperial Valley student intern coordinator within the Division of Education, whose strong ties with local districts will ensure active participation, is also part of the project team. The team brings extensive experience and a strong track record in training and teaching education, with many years of involvement in developing, delivering, and evaluating effective educational programs.
The project is being carried out in partnership with ten rural school districts and the Imperial County Office of Education, which will provide curriculum expertise and alignment with California鈥檚 revised Mathematics Framework. Collectively, the ten districts serve more than 3,600 elementary students and employ 170 teachers. Workshop registration details will be shared in early 2026.
鈥淎I is already shaping the world our students are growing up in,鈥 said Bodus. 鈥淭his program ensures that Imperial Valley teachers are equipped to guide children in navigating future academic endeavors."