By Aviv Weiss, Khan Academy Districts team
An interview with Britni Walz, Instructional Services Director, CESA 4 in Wisconsin. Britni shares her journey from classroom teacher to leading AI integration in education. Discover how her agency is fostering structural change, leveraging personalized learning platforms like Khan Academy, and preparing students for the future workforce across 26 Wisconsin districts.
Aviv Weiss: Britni, tell me about your background and how you got into this work.
Britni Walz: I started as a high school science teacher, teaching anatomy, physiology, and AP Biology. I loved being in the classroom, but my district moved me into an instructional coaching role to address middle school challenges. That led to work as an associate principal, but I always knew I wanted to impact curriculum more broadly. That’s when I joined CESA 4, which services 26 districts across Wisconsin, focusing on instructional services, curriculum alignment, and now AI integration.
Aviv Weiss: What led you to focus on AI in education?
Britni Walz: No one in our agency was tackling AI, yet I saw its growing impact in other industries—including from my husband’s work. Schools weren’t leveraging AI meaningfully, so I stepped in. I connected with a superintendent who wanted to rethink education structurally, integrating cross-disciplinary, real-world learning. That led to exploring personalized learning platforms, like Khan Academy, to free up teachers for deeper, project-based learning.
Aviv Weiss: How did this initiative take shape?
Britni Walz: It started with a pilot last summer. We tested Khan Academy in a few schools for three weeks. One student jumped from the 27th to the 73rd percentile in STAR assessments, and another, who had been regressing, saw significant gains. Seeing these results, districts expanded the pilot. Now, 60 teachers across 10 districts are involved. Teachers were initially hesitant, but after trying it, none wanted to go back to traditional methods. The goal is structural change—moving away from rigid schedules and creating more flexible, student-driven learning environments.
Aviv Weiss: What does professional development (PD) look like for these educators?
Britni Walz: We provide PD on instructional strategies, neuroscience of learning, UDL, and AI integration. Our team includes experts in math, career planning, mental health, and school psychology to ensure compliance with IEPs. We also surveyed 80 businesses to align SEL (social-emotional learning) skills with workforce needs. We meet regularly with pilot teachers, focusing on building thinking classrooms and inquiry-based learning. It’s a dynamic, evolving process.
Aviv Weiss: What’s the vision for the future classroom?
Britni Walz: Chaotic, loud, and messy—in the best way! Students engaged, collaborating, solving real-world problems, moving between classrooms, and learning at their own pace. AI plays multiple roles: as a tier-one instructor, a tool for creation and exploration, and a means to personalize learning. Some districts are even eliminating traditional bell schedules and implementing flexible math labs. One district created an Emerging Technology Center with AI-powered tools, drones, and self-driving vehicles. We’re seeing public schools embrace changes typically associated with independent schools.
Aviv Weiss: How did you get so many superintendents aligned on this vision?
Britni Walz: A mix of factors: declining test scores, teacher burnout, and staffing shortages. One district couldn’t fill a science position for nine months, so they used Khanmigo to build a physical science course. Each district had a unique challenge that AI and personalized learning could help solve. But the real shift came when they realized this isn’t just about technology—it’s about fundamentally rethinking education.
Aviv Weiss: What’s next?
Britni Walz: We’re collecting student success stories through empathy interviews and looking for funding. We’re exploring partnerships to sustain and expand these initiatives. Any visibility we can get helps.
Aviv Weiss: This has been an incredible conversation. Thank you!
Britni Walz: I’m happy to tell our story! We’re excited to keep pushing forward.Final Thoughts
CESA 4 is partnered with Khan Academy Districts to drive greater impact at scale.
Get in touch to talk about strategic implementation of AI for learning in your district.
