
AI Keynotes and Workshops for Schools, Colleges, and Organizations
AI is changing education faster than most of us can keep up with. I help K-12 districts, colleges, and organizations make sense of it with sessions that are practical, honest, and (I promise) not boring. I've given more than 100 AI presentations for audiences from kindergarteners to college professors, so I can meet your group where they are.
Leaders & Organizations | Teachers & Faculty | Students, Parents, & Counselors
How I can work with you
Every session is tailored to your audience, your schedule, and the questions your team is wrestling with right now.
Keynotes to open a conference, summit, or district kickoff
Workshops and professional development with hands-on practice, for teachers, leaders, or whole staffs
Conference breakout sessions on a single topic
Panels and discussions when you want a conversation, not a lecture
Virtual sessions for webinars and remote audiences, in addition to on-site events
Session length: Sessions start at 60 minutes and can stretch to half-day workshops. The longer the session, the more interactive and in-depth we can go.Not sure which fits? Tell me about your group and I'll suggest one.
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AI 101: What It Is, How It Works, and Why You Shouldn't PanicBest for: Staff, boards, parents, community groups, and anyone just getting startedMost people have heard plenty about AI. Far fewer have heard it explained without a wall of jargon. I'll walk you through what AI actually is, how it works, where it gets its information (and why that matters), and how to start using it, all in plain English.You'll leave with:
A clear mental model of how tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini actually work
An understanding of where AI's answers come from and why it's sometimes confidently wrong
A few simple ways to start using it tomorrow
For leaders and organizations
AI & Schools: Making Smart Decisions in a Fast-Moving LandscapeBest for: Administrators, school leaders, boards, and conference audiencesAI is already in your buildings, whether anyone approved it or not. This session lays out the real challenges and opportunities so you can make informed decisions instead of reactive ones. We'll cover academic honesty, student and teacher tools, deepfakes, career readiness, and the legal landscape.You'll leave with:
A realistic picture of how students and staff are using AI right now
The key risk areas worth your attention (and the ones that are mostly noise)
Questions to bring back to your team
Planning Your AI Strategy: Implementation That SticksBest for: Superintendents, school boards, college leadership, and planning teamsEvery organization needs a plan, but most plans stall at the "we should do something" stage. This session walks leadership teams through the key areas to consider: training for adults and students, tool vetting, and the policy questions to work through.You'll leave with:
A map of the areas an AI plan needs to cover
A sequence for rolling things out without overwhelming people
A list of the right questions to ask before committing to any tool
AI Staff Development: Helping Your Team Embrace AI ResponsiblyBest for: Districts, colleges, and organizations of any sizeTrainings that people actually enjoy attending (yes, really). We'll work through prompting, choosing the right tools, protecting data, and building staff guidelines, with hands-on practice.You'll leave with:
Prompting skills your staff can use right away
A framework for evaluating tools and protecting data
A starting point for staff use guidelines
For teachers and faculty
Teaching in the Age of AIBest for: K-12 teachers and higher education facultyProfessional development for teachers who want practical answers, not another tech mandate. We'll cover what AI can and can't do, how it's changing student work, and how to adapt your teaching without losing your mind (or your weekends).You'll leave with:
Hands-on experience with AI tools relevant to your classroom
Ideas for adapting instruction and assignments
Confidence to have honest conversations with students about AI
Academic Honesty in the Age of AI: Stop Chasing Cheaters, Redesign the AssignmentBest for: Teachers, instructional designers, faculty developers, and school leadersHere's the uncomfortable truth: AI detection doesn't work the way people think it does, and chasing cheaters is a losing game. This session reframes the problem as a design challenge and introduces my original Assignment Makeover framework for building assessments that are more engaging, more relevant, and harder to complete with AI.You'll leave with:
The truth about AI detectors and why they shouldn't be your strategy
A repeatable process for redesigning assignments
Before-and-after examples you can adapt right away
For students, parents, and counselors
What Students Need to Know About AIBest for: Elementary, secondary, and college students (tailored to each level)Students are going to use AI whether we talk about it or not, so let's talk about it. This session gives students the essentials for using AI responsibly: how it works, where it fails, how to use it to learn rather than skip learning, and what's at stake when they get it wrong.They'll leave with:
A student-friendly understanding of how AI works and where it breaks
Clear guidance on responsible use and honest work
Awareness of deepfakes, privacy, and digital footprints
AI Companionship: What Parents and Educators Need to KnowBest for: Counselors, educators, parents, and youth-serving organizationsAccording to a 2025 Common Sense Media report, 72% of teens have used AI companions, turning to chatbots for conversation, comfort, and connection. This session explains why they're doing it, what the real risks are, what red flags to watch for, and how to prevent and respond to problems.You'll leave with:
An understanding of why AI companions appeal to young people
Red flags that signal a student may be struggling
Practical prevention and intervention strategies
What planners say
"Mark Henderson is a dynamic speaker who brings energy and insight to the topic of AI. His sessions are practical and realistic, which is exactly what instructors need." - Lauren Hays, Event Coordinator, Kansas City PBS K-12 Technology Conference"Our teachers truly connect with Mark and the excitement was evident during his keynote and sessions at the Hancock Place Educator AI Summit. He has a way of making a topic as big and fast-moving as AI feel approachable and relevant, all while never losing sight of what it actually means for teachers and students. Our teachers hang on his every word and always leave wanting more time to learn from and work with him." - Lauren Wiegand, Event Coordinator, Hancock Place Educator AI Summit"Mark not only presented his Assignment Makeover Process to us, he also visited with our faculty and made an impression on them. We have instructors already making changes to their assignments and are excited to put his process into practice." - Jay Rozema, Instructional Design Coordinator, State Fair Community College
What happens when you book
1. You tell me about your event. Date, audience, and the big question your team is tackling.2. I reply within 48 hours. No sales pitch, just a conversation about what would help. I'm happy to meet virtually before you book to talk through your needs.3. We shape the session together. I tailor the content to your audience, schedule, and culture so it fits your district, campus, or organization.4. You get a session people talk about afterward. Practical ideas, honest conversation, and a little humor.
Questions planners ask
Can you tailor a session to my audience? Yes. Every session is customized to your group, your schedule, and the questions your team is working through.What grade levels do you work with? All of them. I've presented for audiences from kindergarteners to college professors, in K-12 districts, colleges, and universities.Do you speak virtually? Yes. Every topic is available virtually as well as on-site.Can we talk before we book? Absolutely. I'm happy to meet virtually to talk through your needs before you commit to anything.How long are your sessions? Sessions start at 60 minutes and can go up to half-day workshops. The longer the session, the more interactive and in-depth it gets.Can you speak to a mixed audience, like staff and parents together? Yes. AI 101 and the AI companionship session work well for mixed groups.Is this going to be a tech sales pitch? No. I'm not selling an AI product. You'll get practical strategies, honest conversation, and a presenter who understands what it's like to stand in front of a classroom.What does it cost? Fees depend on the length, format, and travel. Send me your details and I'll get you a clear quote.
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