This week during back-to-school professional development, 450+ Prairie teachers and administrators learned from a panel of speakers who described how Artificial Intelligence (AI) may impact their work and shared how they envision local businesses could use AI technology.
Following the presentation, 24 area businesses hosted in-person tours and shared what skills will be necessary to develop a competent future workforce in our community. Juliet Abdel, CEO and President of the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance shared this message with Prairie staff, “your role is such an important factor in the future of our leaders, the future of our entrepreneurs, the future of business professionals and even service members. That’s what you bring to the table day in and day out.”
Additional featured speakers were Tieg Weathers, Google Data Center Site Facility Manager and Manda Marshall, University of Iowa AI Support Team Manager.
An industry panel was moderated by College Community Superintendent Dr. Doug Wheeler and included:
- Eldy Miller, City Administrator with City of Ely
- Danielle Monthei, Community Impact Manager with Van Meter, Inc.
- Kent Rigdon, Director of Marketing with Heartland Express
- Olivia Usher, Repairs Coordinator with MidAmerican Aerospace
- Jillian Walsh, Senior Manager of Business Development with Travero
The College Community School District serves 5,700 students from Linn, Benton, and Johnson Counties. The 137 square mile district includes the cities of Ely, Fairfax, Shueyville, Swisher, Walford and part of southwest Cedar Rapids.
