Upcoming workshops bring math and AI training to Imperial County TK-5 teachers

SDSU 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, “AI-Enhanced Summer Math Methods Institute for Teachers (AI-SUMMIT),” 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.

“We aim to target our efforts to teachers in the summertime so that they have the opportunity to attend the entirety of the workshops,” said Huan Qin, SDSU Imperial Valley associate professor of mathematics. “Some 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.”

At its core, faculty members hope to target two pressing needs: enhancing teachers’ 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.

“Early math skills are among the strongest predictors of long-term academic success,” said Tingting Tang, SDSU Imperial Valley associate professor of mathematics and one of the project’s principal investigators. “By 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.”

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, SDSU Imperial Valley liberal studies lecturer and co-principal investigator of the project, who will lead workshops on AI-driven lesson design. Walter Lewis, SDSU 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’s 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.

“AI is already shaping the world our students are growing up in,” said Bodus. “This program ensures that Imperial Valley teachers are equipped to guide children in navigating future academic endeavors."