106 | Harnessing AI for Educational Excellence in Rural Schools with Christian Jackson

Episode Summary:
In this dynamic episode of The Rural Scoop, host Dr. Melissa Sadorf welcomes Christian Jackson, tech entrepreneur and founder of Edapt, to discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) can revolutionize rural education. Christian unpacks his journey from a curious student to an edtech leader and keynote speaker for the upcoming 2025 Arizona Rural Schools Association (ARSA) Conference. The conversation explores how rural educators can use AI to reclaim valuable time—what Christian calls "time dollars"—from administrative and compliance tasks and reinvest that time in student-centered work and strategic thinking. The episode is a practical, forward-looking guide to making AI an empowering tool rather than an intimidating obstacle.

Key Discussion Points:
- Christian’s Origin Story: From cold calls to classrooms—how a venture into public service and systems thinking led to founding Edapt.
- AI as an Assistant, Not a Replacement: Framing AI as a support system that offloads mundane tasks so educators can focus on what matters most.
- Time Dollars: A powerful metaphor describing how time saved through AI can be reinvested in impactful educational work.
- Practical AI Use Cases:
1. Simplifying compliance reporting like LCAPs.
2. Streamlining curriculum audits and grant writing.
3. Providing differentiated instruction and student support.
- Thoughtful Implementation: Why leaders should focus on comfort, practicality, and a few core tools instead of the “shiny object syndrome.”
- Overcoming Fear and Building Buy-in: How to shift staff from skeptical to curious, then to empowered AI users.
- Vision for the Future:
1. Every educator ends their workday at 5 PM—with work done.
2. Every student has access to a one-on-one AI tutor.
3. Educators use regained time for creativity, collaboration, and personal wellbeing.
- Christian’s Sneak Peek for the ARSA Conference: Prepare to leave feeling like Harry Potter, wielding AI as your educational magic wand.

Closing Summary:
Christian Jackson brings clarity, empathy, and energy to a conversation that’s often clouded by hype or fear. His call to action? Start small, stay curious, and use AI to amplify your leadership—not replace it. Whether it’s saving hours on compliance or reimagining instructional equity, this episode lays the groundwork for how rural districts can turn AI into a strategic asset. With Christian’s keynote coming up at ARSA 2025, the timing couldn’t be better to explore the rural advantage with AI at your side.