CNMI Public School System Honored as Local Leaders Selected for ISTE+ASCD’s GenerationAI Cohort

The CNMI Public School System is proud to announce that Ms. Sherlyn Cruz, 1st-grade teacher at Oleai Elementary School, Dr. Roque Indalecio, Vice Principal of Marianas High School, and Dr. Riya Nathrani, the district’s Instructional Technology Coach, have been selected to join the second GenerationAI cohort. This is an initiative led by ISTE+ASCD to advance artificial intelligence education in K-12 schools across the United States and its territories.

The three selected participants described the experience as eye-opening and empowering as they left inspired, connected, and equipped with new ideas for supporting both teachers and students.

“What resonates most with me about GenerationAI is ensuring that human skills shine alongside the amazing opportunities AI brings to education. As a 1st grade teacher, I see how creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving can be sparked early when balanced with technology. This opportunity allows me not only to prepare my students for the future, but also to share these practices with colleagues so we can all use AI responsibly and meaningfully,” said Ms. Sherlyn Cruz.

Dr. Roque reflected on how ”The kickoff was a great opportunity to connect with teachers, school leaders, and district leaders to talk about AI and its role in education. A common message that stood out was the need for clear policies to guide how we use AI responsibly. AI is here to stay, and it will continue to grow. Like any new technology, it can feel uncertain or even intimidating at first, but if we take action now and set up thoughtful guidelines, AI can bring incredible benefits to teaching and learning.”

Dr. Riya Nathrani said, “It was an honor to represent the Northern Mariana Islands and share how our schools are using AI to make learning more engaging, inclusive, and culturally relevant. Artificial intelligence is transforming education, and it’s important that our community has a voice in how these tools are developed and used. The GenerationAI convening allowed us to highlight how AI can bridge learning gaps, preserve our Indigenous languages, and level the playing field so that all our students can have the best educational opportunities.”

The three individuals were chosen from hundreds of applicants nationwide to participate in this 8-month program, which brings together a cohort of education leaders from 34 states and territories including the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The program, made possible through a $10 million investment from Google.org, aims to equip educators with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively and responsibly integrate AI technology in educational settings.

The GenerationAI cohort continues to represent a diverse cross-section of American education, with significant representation (90%) from Title I schools, rural districts, and traditionally underrepresented communities in STEM. Throughout the 8-month experience, members will:

Participate in monthly virtual collaboration sessions with fellow members

Develop and implement AI-focused solutions for specific educational challenges

Engage in action research and evaluation of AI implementation strategies

Create resources and best practices to share with the broader education community

Work alongside experts and researchers to ensure measurable impact on student learning

About ISTE+ASCD

In 2023, ISTE and ASCD merged to create a unified organization dedicated to ensuring every student has an amazing learning experience every day. Today, ISTE+ASCD is the largest innovation-focused education non-profit worldwide, serving over a million educators in every US state and over 100 countries around the world. ISTE+ASCD offers inspiring events, professional certifications, dynamic member communities, and innovative thought leadership to help educators create transformational learning experiences.