SPN Experts
Thomas Hawkins
Manager of Content and Innovation at the Successful Practices Network and the National Dropout Prevention Center
Thomas Hawkins
Thomas Hawkins is the Manager of Content and Innovation at the Successful Practices Network and the National Dropout Prevention Center, where he’s established himself as a leading voice in AI applications for education. Specializing in developing practical AI solutions that enhance school operations from administrative offices to classrooms, Thomas helps educators reclaim their time while improving student outcomes.
Multi-faceted Approach to Educational AI
Thomas approaches AI in education through multiple lenses: as an efficiency tool that helps educators “win back their nights and weekends,” as an ethical framework that schools must carefully navigate, and as a creative force that can transform instruction. His workshops cover essential components from ethical AI policy development to practical implementation of generative tools that create images, videos, and instructional materials—always with an emphasis on responsible adoption that aligns with each school’s unique culture.
Educational Innovation and Resources
Thomas has made significant contributions to education through his research and writing. He has co-authored practice guides on improving school attendance, student engagement, and reducing suspensions. As an active researcher and thought leader, Thomas serves as staff editor for the Journal of At-Risk Issues while developing educational policies for school districts nationwide, always emphasizing approaches that align with each school’s unique needs and culture.
Co-authored Dropout Prevention Resources
Thomas has co-authored numerous dropout prevention resources and practice guides that address fundamental educational challenges facing today’s schools. His writing reflects a commitment to practical solutions that improve student outcomes and school effectiveness through evidence-based approaches.
Testimonials
K-12 professionals praise Thomas’s ability to make complex AI concepts accessible through engaging presentations. His demonstrations—like the “Will Smith spaghetti video” illustrating AI’s rapid evolution—help educators rethink their approach to teaching in an AI-driven world.
My team will be talking about Thomas’ presentation for a long time. It was a lot of information and it challenged us to think about how we approach this new AI world we are navigating.
Dr. Eisa Cox
Superintendent - Ashe County SchoolsSessions Topics
All sessions expect participants to have a device to follow along and experiment on (if state/district/school) allows for the use of AI
Winning Your Nights and Weekends Back: AI Essentials for Educators
Are you spending countless hours on lesson planning, grading, and administrative tasks? This comprehensive session will transform how you work by introducing you to the power of AI tools designed specifically for educators. Learn how to reclaim your personal time while enhancing your effectiveness in the classroom.
Introduction to AI
How to start using generative AI as your personal assistant to win back your nights and weekends. This one-hour session will cover strategies and free tools to get you familiar and started with Artificial Intelligence for both classroom partitioners and administration.
AI, Ethics, and Education
An overview of current trends in students' use of AI, what schools are doing for AI policy development, and a brief glimpse of how localized AI models can help solve data policy issues. This session can be used to introduce the larger workshops on the safe use of AI for teachers and students or policy development workshops.
Building Capacity for AI in Schools
An introduction to AI that focuses on how to create meaningful discussions around the utilization of AI and provides detailed examples of AI from classroom to boardroom.
Large Language Models for Educators
A one-hour deep dive into the effective use of Large Language Models and prompting to get teachers and administrators kick-started on the safe use of models like; ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Llama. Learn strategies and best practices for generating and reviewing content and solutions with AI.
Mitigating the Effects of AI in Education
A look at how students are actively using AI to generate work and get past Learning Management Systems, with strategies to help detect students use of AI. This session will also look at Data Privacy and Security within schools and districts as teachers and students use AI.
Generative AI
A one-hour session on generative AI that sets educators up with multiple tools that can help save time and differentiate instruction. A fun showcase of tools that can create; images, video, music, and other materials.
Advanced AI
Go even further into AI with discussions on how to safely introduce students to AI use. Go over more advanced AI topics so that educators get a better understanding of what is going on under the hood of AI models and have the understanding to stay up to date with AI advancement. Ending with an explanation and showcase of how participants can set up and run their own free local LLM if policy allows. This session requires a level of prior knowledge from previous sessions or other AI training.
AI Policy Workshop (Half Day)
1. Get started in creating your school or districts AI policy with a team. SPN/NDPC will help facilitate the discussion by reviewing current trends in ethics and brining in examples of policy created by other teams through the workshop to get started. This workshop works best with a variety of stakeholders, both teachers and administrators, to establish a plan and policy that matches the culture of the school/district and matches their readiness for change.
AI Policy Workshop (Full Day)
1. A full day workshop that includes expanded versions of: 1. Introduction to AI 2. AI, Ethics, and Education 3. Large Language Models for Educators. The workshop also includes guided use time where the presenter will work with participants to build solutions using AI for their own work and provided feedback while they explore large language models.
Engagement, Personalization, and Differentiation with AI
Learn how to save time by using Large Language Models and best practices to create better outcomes for your students. In this session we will use AI create new and revamp old lessons using future focused strategies.
AI and Transformational Learning Experiences
In this session we will look at lessons that integrate the use of AI in an approachable way that shows students ethical use of the tools and will allow them to apply it to their futures. Students understanding of AI and how it will impact future jobs is paramount in our world of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity.
Book Thomas Hawkins for Your Next Educational Event
Ready to bring innovative AI solutions to your school or district? Thomas Hawkins is available for keynotes, workshops, and professional development sessions tailored to your specific needs. Fill out and submit the form below, and our staff will connect with you to discuss scheduling, availability, and presentation details.