The theme this month is "The Teaching Profession", and depending on who you are and where you are, we all got into teaching for different reasons. 

From knowing really early on that we wanted to be teachers, to being inspired by a teacher or even (in my case) stumbling into the profession and realising that this was it for you.

So my question to you is: why did you decide to become a teacher? What inspired you? Who knows, you might inspire the next teacher 😊

f you couldn't make it to our October meeting, you can view and interact with the  links below:

October Meeting Slide Deck 

October Meeting Recording 

Grab your notepad! Go to Slide 4 and take the trivia quiz (no cheating). What was your score?

Move on to Slide 16: What do you think is the biggest difference between 'TV teaching' and 'Real teaching'? Hit reply to this post and let us know your thoughts. 

On Slide 17, you can earn a Badge! Here we are exploring how to use the Gemini tool of Canvas to create a lesson plan and worksheet for teaching students about recognizing what is real and not real on the internet. Students practice identifying fact vs. opinion as well as author purpose. This lesson could help your students conduct research on the internet and help them to find good sources of information. 

Sides 22-24 highlight a few conferences that are happening soon in our NorCal area. Registration is open now, so check out these opportunities.

Don't forget to swing by Slide 25 for our Collaborative Resource Swap

Our resource-sharing link is still live!  Open the meeting slide deck and look at Slide 8. Whether you attended live or are catching up now, we’d love your input:

• Get One: Explore helpful resources, templates, and ideas shared by fellow members.

• Give One: Add your own favorite edtech tools or strategies to help out the group.

We hope to see you at our Next Meeting: November 12th @ 3:00 PM

Thanks for being such a great community, and hope to see you all next month!

Best,

The GEG NorCal Team

Check out our October 2026 AI Educator Series release! We explored new, bite-sized learning modules featuring Gemini’s free tools!

Hey WNY GEG crew! We've just begun AI training across our district. Instead of just handing out tools, our training focuses on keeping things safe and smart while truly enhancing student learning. We start with the basics, like keeping student data secure on approved tools like Gemini, and practice healthy skepticism by playing "Spot the Hallucination" to catch made-up facts and citations. From there, we look at how AI fits into solid teaching through the SAMR and TPACK frameworks. We're also introducing our teachers to the Google AI Educator resources and badges so they can build confidence as they go! To keep expectations clear, we’re using a simple "Traffic Light" system (Red, Yellow, Green) for student work, and we’ve been exploring cool Gemini Canvas features to design interactive, student-centered learning activities. 

It’s been an exciting journey, but we’d love to know what’s happening in your neck of the woods! How is your district navigating AI frameworks and training right now? Drop your favorite tips or tools in the comments below! 

Are you or a colleague looking to renew or earn a Google Educator Level 1 certification? Check out the NEW REMC cohort "Google Certified Together" and work through the certification prep with others in Michigan and a Google certified facilitator to support you along the way! The fall cohort launches on October 26th. Register here!

• 🍳 Your Brain on AI: Moving from Crutch to Catalyst
• 🗓️ Thursday, October 8th, 2026
• ⏰ 3pm ET / 2pm CT / 1pm MT / Noon PT
• ▶️ The webinar will be live-streamed and also recorded for those who can't attend live
• ✅ Register at https://bit.ly/oct8aibrain or in this Google Form

Feel free to share with others and I hope you will join me for this exciting webinar!

 

Fresh off World Teachers' Day 2026, explore how experienced educators are bridging geographical divides to empower early-career colleagues through digital peer observation and mentorship. Read on for practical mentoring routines using Google Workspace for Education, global policy frameworks from UNESCO, and a new Gemini prompt to structure non-evaluative coaching cycles.

🚨 Big News Shaking Up the Industry! Say Goodbye to Traditional Image Editing as "Google Pics" Brings Pro-Level AI to Google Workspace! 🎨✨

Hello everyone! Today, I have some truly "exciting" news to share! Anyone who struggles with finding illustrations, creating slides, or editing photos needs to hear this right now. Google has just launched a new feature called "Google Pics" that will revolutionize image creation and editing with pro-level AI—made super easy. Plus, you can use it directly within your everyday Google Workspace workflow!

What is Google Pics and Why is it Awesome? 🤩 Imagine just typing a text prompt telling the AI what kind of image you want, and Google's best AI image model conjures it up instantly. Or, if you already have a photo, simply import it from your computer, Google Drive, or Google Photos to edit it further with AI. The coolest part is that it comes packed with advanced AI tools, such as:

• Create or refine images with text: Pics offers a variety of image options to ensure you always get the perfect shot.

• Precise, pinpoint editing: Just hover and select specific parts of an image for highly accurate, localized edits.

• Manage text within images: You can edit, format, or even "translate" individual text elements right inside the picture!

• Crop and upscale images: Crop your images for the web, social media, or digital print. 

• Seamless integration in your current apps: Working on Google Docs or Slides? With a single click on an image, you can edit it using Pics' AI tool suite without ever switching apps or tabs!

• Collaboration and version history: The system saves your edit history, so you can always revert to a previous version to undo changes. You can also invite teammates to collaborate or share images via a link, just like other Workspace apps.

💡 Transforming Education: How Can Students and Teachers Apply This? Of course, this feature is available for the education sector through the Google AI Pro for Education add-on. Let's see how it can make classrooms more fun and save a ton of time!

🎓 For Students: Unlock Imagination and Ace Your Reports

• No more struggling to find the right image: When making presentations on Slides, students can simply type a prompt to generate AI images that perfectly match their report's content.

• Group work is more fun: With features supporting real-time collaboration and link sharing, group members can jump in to help edit and tweak project images together.

👩‍🏫 For Teachers: Pro-Level Teaching Materials to Wow the Class

• Make learning materials visually engaging: Teachers can create fresh illustrations or upscale older visuals to 2K or 4K, making presentations beautiful and captivating on the big screen.

• Instant translation on teaching materials: This is a game-changer! If a teacher has a diagram or infographic in a foreign language, they can use the feature to translate the text directly on the image, helping students understand instantly without having to redesign the graphic.

• Faster lesson prep: Teachers can click on images in Google Docs or Slides and use Google Pics' tools to tweak their materials right there, no extra tabs needed.

Bottom Line 🚀 I can confidently say that "Google Pics" will become an essential assistant, making both learning and teaching much more vibrant and seamless! Having pro-level AI at your fingertips and being able to edit images straight from Google Drive with a single click really opens up endless ideas and saves a massive amount of time.

What about you? How do you plan to use Google Pics? Drop a comment and share your ideas below! 👇

• Teachers with a Google for Education account can type the @ symbol in Gemini to instantly access and analyze their Google Classroom data.
• The tool identifies class-wide learning trends on recent assignments, allowing educators to efficiently adjust their lesson plans.
• Gemini can generate personalized report cards for each student to provide a clear performance snapshot for parent meetings or individual check-ins.

Click here to read the entire blog post from techcoachjuarez.com.

Hi GEG NorCal Educators!

Happy World Teachers' Day (month)! 

As we celebrate the teaching profession this October, we're bringing our community together to reflect on the real work happening in our classrooms. 

Join us for our next GEG NorCal meeting where we'll share a laugh,  share some resources  for our classrooms and maybe even earn a badge.

Meeting Details:

Date: Next Thursday (October 8. 2026)

Time: 3:00 PM PST

Where: Google Meet 

Bring your favorite afternoon beverage, a Resource to Share, and be ready to connect with fellow educators. 

Hey everyone! Below are the 10 new Gemini Gems that I added to my EduGems website - https://www.edugems.ai/ - during the month of September (bringing the current total to 160 Gems in all):

• ✅ Check for Understanding Generator - Design formative assessment checks before, during, or after instruction to gauge the level of your learners' understanding
• 🎯 Educator SMART Goals - Help educators create professional, instructionally impactful, SMART goals and ready-to-use companion files for themselves
• ❓ Jeopardy Game (updated) - Generate an interactive, playable Jeopardy-style review game for any topic and grade level
• 🤝 Kagan Strategy Planner - Transform any lesson, topic, or learning target into an active, collaborative experience using structured Kagan Cooperative Learning strategies
• 🔠 Multiple Perspectives - Help students explore diverse viewpoints by speaking with a dynamic panel of 5 tailored stakeholders and then synthesizing their own understanding
• 📝 OST ELA Generators - Generate practice items and text-based writing prompts that mirror the Ohio’s State Tests (OST) for Grades 3 through HS ELA II
• ❓ Quiz Me - Help students master academic concepts for any topic with an encouraging, patient, and adaptive personal quiz tutor
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Simple Terms for Parents - Translate policies, guidelines, test results, curriculum concepts & more into clear, engaging, and parent-friendly communications
• 🤷 When Will I Use This? - Answer the question of "When will I EVER use this?" by connecting your lessons to real-world scenarios and classroom-ready tasks
• ⚖️ Would You Rather? - Design high-impact, standard-aligned "Would You Rather?" learning activities for any grade level and subject area

Feel free to share with others and please consider submitting your own Gems to the site.

Also, Google has announced that Gems will be transitioning to Skills. Over the next few months I will be converting all of the EduGems on the site to Skills. Everyone will continue to be able to use all of the prompts on this site as Gems (through this school year), as Skills (going forward), and always as copyable prompts that can be used anywhere. I will also continue to add many more prompts to the site.

Take care!

Eric

Step into October as we launch The Teaching Profession month across the Global GEG! In recognition of World Teachers' Day 2026, discover how educators are stepping into active leadership, shaping policy dialogue, and designing collaborative peer networks using Google Workspace and UNESCO frameworks. Read our launch post for actionable strategies, professional community workflows, and a new Gemini prompt to elevate educator voice!

Integrate This! blog post:

https://integratethisedtech.blogspot.com/2026/09/whats-new-in-google-part-1-level-up.html

Hi everyone! 🌴

Whether you’re right here in Florida or tuning in from another GEG community across the map, welcome! One of the absolute best things about this network is that none of us have to figure out tech integration alone.

This month, let’s build a Cross-Group Crowdsourced Toolkit together!

Drop a comment below to share...

1. Your contribution to our toolkit:

   • A Wish: ONE thing you’d love to learn, automate, or improve using Google Workspace that would save you 15 minutes this week (e.g., "Streamlining parent comms with Gmail templates" or "Mastering smart chips in Docs")

   • ...OR A Win: ONE favorite Google trick or shortcut you've already got locked down! 💡

How to jump in: See a goal above that you've already figured out?

Reply to their comment with a quick tip, link, or favorite resource.

Let’s cross-pollinate our best ideas and help each other level up! 👇

With joy,

Jill

Cultivating Deep Thinkers in an Instant-Search World

In an era of generative search engines and instant digital content, teaching digital literacy requires far more than showing students where to click. In the latest Global GEG webinar, award-winning South African educator and Google Innovator Thozama (Karmiel) Mathe outlines how he bridges the digital divide in rural classrooms by turning learners into "Community Fact-Finders and Solution Storytellers". From teaching lateral reading and image verification to implementing the KARMIEL framework and AI Traffic Lights for transparent citation, discover actionable strategies to slow down student search habits and build authentic digital fluency.

Ready to elevate media literacy in your school? Read our comprehensive event recap, explore step-by-step classroom blueprints, and join the international community discussion

If you are part of our membership email list - you will have received this message this morning 🙂

Olá, líderes do GEG Brasil!

Como parte das ações de mentoria voltadas ao verbo APRENDER, quero convidar vocês a construir uma jornada de desenvolvimento da nossa liderança: líderes GEG aprendendo com líderes GEG para fortalecer suas comunidades.

E o primeiro passo é escutar! Antes de definir temas e encontros, quero compreender os desafios que vocês vivenciam e reconhecer as experiências que já existem na nossa rede.

Para começar essa conversa:

• 💬Quais desafios você enfrenta atualmente para liderar, mobilizar e fortalecer sua comunidade GEG?
• 💡Que conhecimentos, estratégias, recursos ou trocas ajudariam você a avançar como líder?
• 🤝Você possui alguma prática ou experiência que poderia compartilhar com outros líderes?

Pode ser uma dificuldade para engajar participantes, manter a continuidade das ações, dividir responsabilidades ou comunicar o impacto do seu GEG. Também pode ser uma estratégia que você experimentou e que trouxe aprendizados, mesmo que a ação não tenha saído como esperado.

A partir das contribuições, identificarei prioridades e organizarei oportunidades de aprendizagem entre pares, com trocas, recursos e estratégias aplicáveis às nossas comunidades.

Conte nos comentários um desafio ou uma experiência. Não precisa responder a tudo: sua contribuição já é um ponto de partida para aprendermos juntos!

Seeing Is No Longer Believing: Why Deepfake Detection Belongs in Your Back-to-School Plan

With AI-manipulated media fooling even seasoned journalists and forensics experts, we can no longer expect students to navigate the digital world on intuition alone. Critical media literacy can't wait for a mid-year digital citizenship unit; it needs to be built into your classroom routines from day one.

Discover how a new hands-on resource from Intel Skills for Innovation and Dell Technologies turns students aged 14–19 into Digital Forensics Investigators, teaching them to question, cross-examine evidence, and spot deepfakes before misinformation takes root.

Hello Instructional Coaches,

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and are having a great week.

Last week we had almost 40 coaches join us for our first GEG Coaches Meetup where we discussed Google Gemini and using AI in our Coaching programs to support our teachers.

Tomorrow, we return with another high-impact GEG Meetup at 1:30PM Eastern

https://forms.gle/cpaepxY3emED4pTL9

Please take a moment to sign up today!  The calendar link will be shared after submission.

The topic tomorrow will revolve around data collection in our coaching programs.  All are welcome to share how they are collecting and sharing data (and which data to share).

Do you have a dashboard?  Do you NEED a dashboard?  

See you tomorrow Coaches!

Jeff Bradbury

As we continue our exploration of Literacy in a Digital Age, discover how educators are turning passive consumption into active digital analysis and deliberate composition. Read on for classroom strategies connecting critical reading with algorithmic critique, and register for two global professional exchanges happening this week in Spanish and English!

Salam and hello, everyone! Welcome to our official GEG Malaysia space! 
I'm Fairuz from the Google for Education Malaysia team. (You may call me Fye) 😀
Please join me in introducing yourselves in this comment thread! 

You can use this space to promote any GEG-related or Google for Edu programs that would benefit everyone who has access to this space. 

Don't forget about the GES Badge-a-Thon happening throughout the day on Saturday, September 19th!  Check out the Events page for more information on how to sign up!  And for a chance to win $250, share your badge with Edumatch and earn some recognition for GEG Nevada!  Check out the Day of AI Learning discussion post for more information! 

Check out my latest blog post where I tell the story of a teacher coached recently and how she, within days, used Gemini to vibe code her own custom math tools for her students. 

https://techcoachjuarez.com/2026/09/18/from-idea-to-interactive-a-teachers-first-custom-tool/?jetpac...

📢Undangan Webinar Kolaborasi Internasional!

Halo Bapak/Ibu dan Rekan-Rekan Pendidik! 👋

Mari bergabung dalam Webinar Kolaborasi GEG Gunungsitoli x GEG Malaysia x KSRG Indonesia yang akan membahas transformasi digital di lingkungan pendidikan.

Judul Kegiatan :

"Bukan sekedar alat, melainkan sebuah pergeseran budaya dan realitas transformasi digital sekolah"

Narasumber

Meidaman Mendrofa (GEG Kota Gunungsitoli) & Shamsuria Binti Ebni (GEG Labuan - Malaysia)

Moderator

Eldawati (PIC KSRG Indonesia)

🗓Hari/Tanggal  : Jumat, 18 September 2026

⏰Waktu : 03.00 - 05.00 PM

📍Link Google Meet: https://s.id/webinargeggunungsitoli-malaysia

El 23 de septiembre estaremos conversando sobre la alfabetización en la era de la IA. ¿Cómo podemos integrar IA de una manera efectiva en la clase de Literatura? ¿Cómo nos podemos apoyar en las herramientas de Google para desarrollar destrezas de lectura y escritura? 

¡Este evento será en español! ¡Los esperamos!

Enlace de Registro  

whether it’s leading with core values, navigating personal relationships, or just permitting myself to forget a bad day + reset, there’s always room to "be curious, not judgmental."

Hi everyone,

Welcome to our brand-new digital home! The virtual keys have been handed over, the Wi-Fi is strong, and the GEG US Western NY space is officially live. Whether you teach, lead, coach, or support, we welcome EVERYONE and we’re so glad you're here.

Consider this our local sandbox—a place to swap all things Google, ask "how do I do this in Slides?" without judgment, share classroom wins, and connect with Western New York educators who truly get it. Not from Western New York? Feel free to connect here. Many of us are from the greater Buffalo/Niagara region and they don't call it The City of Good Neighbors for nothing!

To kick off our roll call, drop a comment below with:

• Your name & your role/school

• Your current go to Google tool and how you've used it recently

• Which of the following things you're here for most:

  ⚡ Time-Saving Tools: Smart strategies to cut down on prep and admin work.

  💡 Fresh Classroom/School Ideas: New ways to engage students or streamline operations.

  👥 Peer Connection: Connecting with fellow educators to swap advice and encouragement.

  🎯 Google Mastery: Deep dives into Workspace tools, updates, and certifications.

  🚀 EdTech Trends: Exploring AI, digital citizenship, and future-ready skills.

  Have something else in mind? Let us know below!"

• *Bonus points for sharing your go to, can't miss food spot. We won't ask if you are Team Bleu Cheese or Team Ranch...yet.

Let’s build something awesome together! 

👋 Meet your GEG leaders: Aurelius Yeo, Yuto, Claire Simms, Eunice Lim and Yijie Liu (left to right in the photo). 

We’re excited to bring educators together to share ideas and explore how Google Technologies can enrich teaching and learning.

💡 Tried something that worked well in your classroom? Have a question or an idea you’d like to explore? We’d love to hear from you! This is a space to exchange experiences and support one another.

🌐 Visit our GEG Singapore website and keep an eye out for community updates and opportunities to learn together. Whether you’re just getting started or have plenty to share, you’re welcome here.

🤝 Let’s build our GEG Singapore community together!

Dive deeper into Literacy in a Digital Age as we explore how to turn students from passive consumers of synthetic media into critical information architects. Discover practical pedagogical routines for deconstructing algorithmic bias, verifying multimodal claims, and structuring disciplined research using Google Workspace and UNESCO frameworks.

I am excited to be presenting a free webinar about creating better AI prompts. And what better time than September to have a "Promptember" event!

AI can have a powerful impact on teaching and learning, but the value of what you get out can often depend on the quality of what you put in. How can you craft better prompts to get the best results?

In this session we will explore hundreds of examples of excellent prompts, learn the top 10 tips for better prompts, and explore free Gemini Gems to help you make the best prompts for your needs.

Details for this training:
💬 Promptcraft: Building a Better AI Prompt
🗓️ Thursday, September 24th, 2026
⏰ 3pm ET / 2pm CT / 1pm MT / Noon PT
▶️ The webinar will be live-streamed and also recorded for those who can't attend live
✅ Register at https://bit.ly/sep24prompt or in this Google Form

Feel free to share with others and I hope you will join me for this exciting webinar!

Eric

 Kick off the 2026–2027 school year with fresh strategies, time-saving features, and powerful pedagogical tools!

Join Google Educator Group (GEG) Pennsylvania for our live streaming event: Back to School Tools and Tips.

🗓 Date: Monday, September 15, 2026

⏰ Time: 7:00 PM EST

📍 Location: Streaming Live on YouTube

🔗 Link to Join: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMLAAR50HnU

Project Instruction CHEM-ANIMATE: The Invisible Tide: An AI-Supported Inquiry-Based Animation Project on Freshwater Acidification and Climate Change Communication

What started as a classroom project on ocean acidification became a meaningful collaboration between teachers from the Philippines and Austria.
Together with Bibiane @[email protected]  from Austria, we used Google Workspace to plan, develop, and coordinate the project—from shaping the learning experience and research activities to preparing the implementation and sharing our students' work.
The collaboration continued beyond our own schools. Our students' learning connected classrooms across two countries and two continents, creating an authentic opportunity to exchange ideas, perspectives, and awareness about a global environmental issue that also matters deeply to the Philippines.
From planning in Google Workspace to sharing the final work through YouTube, technology helped us turn distance into connection.

 Collaboration is no longer limited by school walls.
It can happen across schools, across countries, and across continents.

This project reminded us that when educators connect with a shared purpose, students gain something even more valuable than a completed project—a global audience, authentic collaboration, and a broader perspective of their role as young global citizens.

🇵🇭 Philippines × 🇦🇹 Austria
One project. Two classrooms. Two continents. One shared purpose.
#GlobalCollaboration #GoogleWorkspace #Education #OceanAcidification #ClimateEducation #StudentVoice #GlobalCitizenship #Philippines #Austria #CollaborationInEducation

Project Instruction 

Hello Instructional Coaches!

Please save the date for our GEG Instructional Coach Fall kick off. Join Instructional Coaches from around the world as we Meetup for 30 minutes to connect as coaches around a topic.

On September 17th at 11:00-11:30 EST we will meetup to chat about how your school or district might be using the free snackable, stackable PD offered through the Google AI Educator Series (GS).  Save the date now and keep your eyes open for a registration link coming soon! 

This is a timely discussion as the Google AI Educator Series (GS) Badge-a-thon: Day of AI Learning is taking place on Saturday, September 19, 2026. Built to be drop-in friendly, this 10-hour virtual event offers bite-sized, 30-minute “Inspiration to Action” blocks where educators can learn actionable classroom workflows and earn official ISTE- and ASCD-aligned credentials live on stream. Register here for the September 19 Badge-a-thon Event: goo.gle/GESBadgeathon

Don’t forget to follow the GEG Instructional Coaches over on the Google For Education Community Hub!!

To Register for our meetup, please visit our events page: (CLICK HERE)

This past July 20th, my team and I were honored by the Computer Center at Mahasarakham University to share our knowledge on a topic I believe is incredibly relevant in today's working world: "Connecting AI, Apps Script, and Google Workspace."

The atmosphere at the workshop that day was filled with enthusiasm from the 40-plus attendees who dedicated their time to learn and get hands-on experience in room B414. Our goal was clear: to demonstrate how to integrate the power of AI with familiar tools like Google Sheets, Docs, and Gmail, using Apps Script as the essential bridge.

I was impressed to see staff from various departments show such keen interest and ask excellent questions throughout the session. We workshopped everything from calling AI via an API to building simple workflow automations that help reduce repetitive daily tasks, such as generating summary reports or managing data automatically.

As someone who works in technology, I’ve always believed that the best tools are the ones that are actually put to use. Seeing the look in the attendees' eyes as they understood and could envision how to apply this knowledge to their own work was a great joy and the biggest encouragement for our instructor team.

Finally, I must thank the Computer Center at Mahasarakham University for giving us the opportunity to be part of enhancing the digital skills of their personnel. I also want to thank all the attendees for their wonderful energy throughout the day. I hope the knowledge you gained will be a starting point for creating innovation and sustainably improving your work efficiency.

Hi GEG NorCal Community,

If you couldn't make it to our September Back to School meeting, no worries at all—we’ve got you covered! You can catch up anytime using the links below:

Meeting Slide Deck

 Meeting Recording

Collaborative Resource Swap

Our resource-sharing link is still live!  Open the meeting slide deck and look at Slide 8. Whether you attended live or are catching up now, we’d love your input:

• Get One: Explore helpful resources, templates, and ideas shared by fellow members.

• Give One: Add your own favorite edtech tools or strategies to help out the group.

Mark Your Calendars: Events & Key Dates

• National IT Professionals Day (Sept 15): Take a moment to give a shoutout to the tech team members who keep our systems running smoothly!

• Google AI Educator Series (GES) Badge-a-thon (Saturday, Sept 19 | 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM ET): A live, drop-in virtual event with 20 distinct 30-minute sessions. Earn official, ISTE-aligned digital badges on the spot through guided badging sprints. Visit Slide 6 to register! 

• Google Updates Visit slide 5 for the latest Google Workspace updates. What's your favorite? Please reply to this post and share yours.  If you're watching the recording, you'll hear us sharing our favorite updates. If you're curious, I highly encourage you to sign up for the Badge-a-thon! (I did, and I hope I will see you there, too.)

• Global GEG Event — Navigating Digital Texts: Scaffolding AI Literacy and Information Fluency (Sept 24): A practical session on using Google Workspace tools to build critical media analysis, source citation, and digital writing habits in Primary and Secondary classrooms. Check the slide 7 for the registration link!

Get Involved & Next Meeting We love community involvement! Check out Slide 9 in the presentation deck to learn how you can connect, present at a future meeting, suggest topics, or join our leadership team. 

• Next Meeting: October 8th @ 3:00 PM

Thanks for being such a great community, and hope to see you all next month!

Best,

The GEG NorCal Team

Technology in education often gets a bad rap for pushing one-size-fits-all lesson plans. But in classrooms from Indonesia to Brazil, teachers are flipping the script. Discover how the Intel® Skills for Innovation (SFI) Ambassador Community is using a shared global toolkit to celebrate regional languages, indigenous traditions, and local challenges - proving that the best learning happens when technology adapts to the student, not the other way around.

The era of spending days coding executive dashboards or relying on complex, expensive software is over. Today, we can use a smart assistant like Gemini to design and write HTML code for an interactive dashboard that fetches data from Google Sheets in real-time, complete with a data update button. Plus, it can be shared as a link for immediate team use.

Let's look at how to magically create an executive dashboard in just 4 simple steps:

1. Access the Gemini App Getting started is easy. Simply open your browser and go to gemini.google.com (make sure you are logged in with your Google account). Have your ideas or the analytical goals of your desired dashboard ready in your mind.

2. Enter a Masterful Prompt The key is to write a prompt that covers both the "requirement context" and the "technical outcome." You can copy and adapt the prompt below:

Prompt Example: "Please design an Interactive Dashboard showing the results of implementing the Canvas Feature in our workflow, aimed at executives/program heads. Analytical goals: track trends, compare faculties/departments, and identify areas for improvement. Please propose:

• 4 key KPIs

• 4 suitable types of charts

• 3 filters

• Expected insights

What I need: HTML code along with CSS/JS that can connect data between Google Sheets and the dashboard in real-time (fetching data via a Published CSV). Also, please include an 'Update Data' button on the dashboard interface."

Once you submit the prompt, Gemini will analyze your needs and immediately draft a structure for you. It will provide the complete HTML code, embedding charting libraries and scripts to fetch data from Google Sheets perfectly. Sample Data: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-xxhMU2eX9ioQBst6nhZobttoeae6Lx4j5RAZ1XbjnM/copy

3. Review and Refine with Follow-up Prompts The first version of the code might not be 100% perfect, or you might want to tweak the design further. This is the main advantage of using AI; you can ask for revisions just like talking to your own personal programmer. For example:

• "Please change the color of the faculty comparison bar chart to a light-blue and dark-blue tone."

• "I want the 'Update Data' button to have a refresh icon and be moved to the top right corner."

• "The provided code doesn't load the Google Sheets data. Please check the data fetching section (Fetch API) for me."

Gemini will modify and update the code for you until you are satisfied with the interface and functionality.

4. Test and Share as a Link for Others to Use Once you have refined it to a satisfactory result, there's no need to go through the hassle of hosting the code on a web server because you can share it directly from the Gemini window.

• Set up Google Sheets: Put your data into Google Sheets, then go to File > Share > Publish to web. Choose CSV and give the resulting link to Gemini to update the HTML code.

• Create a share link from Gemini: On the Gemini chat screen, click the "Share & export" button below the response and select "Share" (to create a public link).

• Send to executives: Copy the generated URL and send it to your executives or team members. They can click it to view the dashboard in action and see the code running directly on the web page.

Using Gemini not only cuts down the working time from days to just a few minutes, but it also professionally guides your ideas in selecting the right KPIs and charts suited for an executive's perspective. Give this method a try and apply it to your data tasks!

Hi there!

Google for Education is bringing together educators nationwide for a 10-hour drop-in broadcast filled with practical, time-saving classroom hacks and live micro-credentialing. As part of my commitment to supporting thoughtful AI integration across our classrooms, I'm thrilled to share that I'll be presenting live during the Google AI Educator Series Badge-a-thon: Day of AI Learning on Saturday, September 19, 2026!

• Session Topic: Create scaffolds to support reading comprehension
• Broadcast Time: 5:30 - 6:00 PM ET
• What We’ll Cover: I’ll share real classroom use cases for Replacing Prep Time with Human Connection. Then, we’ll walk through the official badging module together to get you certified live.

By the end of our 30-minute block, you’ll walk away with an official, ISTE- and ASCD-aligned digital badge verified live on stream - plus Google chat moderators will be in the room to support you every step of the way.🎟️ Reserve your free spot & join my room: goo.gle/GESBadgeathon

Let’s tune in together and represent our community on the live badging leaderboard!

Warmly,

Judy Keller

Celebrate International Literacy Day 2026 with the Global GEG! Discover how educators worldwide are expanding foundational literacy into digital discernment, critical AI critique, and data fluency. Read on for practical classroom routines using Google Workspace, international frameworks from UNESCO, and a new Gemini prompt to scaffold algorithmic literacy.

🚀 ¡La generación de música con IA acaba de subir de nivel! Google anunció la llegada de Lyria 3.5 a Gemini y su API.

🎶 Esta actualización trae voces mucho más expresivas y arreglos musicales de mayor fidelidad.

Ya sea para explorar nuevos géneros (desde electrónica hasta ritmos regionales), integrarlo en aplicaciones web o potenciar proyectos de tecnología educativa (ámbito en el que me desenvuelvo), las nuevas opciones de personalización abren muchísimas posibilidades.

Ahora podemos:

✅ Elegir estilos vocales o instrumentales.

✅ Usar plantillas para agilizar el proceso creativo.

✅ Ajustar la duración exacta de nuestras pistas. Disponible ya en la app, y para desarrolladores en Google AI Studio. ¿Listos para probarlo? 🤖🎧

🔗 Conoce más sobre la actualización aquí https://blog.google/innovation-and-ai/products/gemini-app/better-tracks-lyria-gemini

#InteligenciaArtificial  #Gemini  #Lyria  #EdTech  #DesarrolloWeb  #Innovación 

Quero registrar aqui meu agradecimento por esse encontro tão especial entre o GEG Diadema e o GEG Itália.

Foi uma experiência incrível poder conversar com educadores de diferentes realidades, compartilhar desafios, conhecer outras perspectivas sobre educação e, principalmente, perceber que, mesmo separados por milhares de quilômetros, temos muitos objetivos em comum: valorizar os professores, transformar a aprendizagem e criar novas oportunidades para nossos estudantes.

Como líder do GEG Diadema, fico muito feliz e orgulhoso em ver nossa comunidade participando de uma iniciativa internacional como essa. 💙

Essas conexões mostram exatamente a força dos GEGs: pessoas que compartilham conhecimento, experiências e boas práticas para que possamos aprender uns com os outros.

Meu agradecimento especial ao @CFisanotti , líder do GEG Itália, pela parceria, disponibilidade e por toda essa troca tão enriquecedora. 🇮🇹🤝🇧🇷

Um agradecimento enorme também à @Sabina_Hussaini, que foi fundamental para construir essa ponte, aproximar nossas comunidades e tornar esse encontro possível. 🌟

Obrigado também a todos os participantes do GEG Itália, GEG Brasil e, principalmente, aos membros do nosso GEG Diadema que estiveram conosco, contribuíram com suas experiências e representaram tão bem nossa comunidade.

Que esse seja apenas o começo de muitas outras conexões internacionais! 🚀🌎

Seguimos juntos, mostrando que quando educadores se conectam, fronteiras deixam de ser limites e passam a ser oportunidades de aprendizagem.

💙 Obrigado, GEG Diadema!

#GEGDiadema #GEGBrasil #GEGItalia #GoogleForEducation #GoogleEducatorGroups #Educação #TecnologiaNaEducação #Colaboração #EducaçãoSemFronteiras

Actualizaciones en Gemini Live en Gmail, Docs y Keep.

Este martes 8 de septiembre, a las 6:00pm hora de México, tendremos un intersante webinar sobre la autoregulación docente. En esta sesión aprenderás a identificar tus señales físicas de estrés, desactivar detonantes en el aula y ajustar tu estilo de enseñanza para conectar con todos tus alumnos.

@PerlaZamora estará presentando este tema. 

Enlace de registro: https://bit.ly/CLSpanish_Sept8

The September 2026 Content Drop webinar marked the first continuous monthly release following the May launch, introducing four brand-new modules to expand the catalog across K-12 and Higher Education.

Hi everyone.  Please join GEG New Jersey for the our first AI Educator Series badging event on September 9, 2026 at 6:30pm EDT! We will be covering two topics: Introduction to Gemini for Education and Introduction to Gemini Notebook as well as looking through the other self-paced modules. Please register below and hope to see you there!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfo4_89IQvqzyFaypTPA_gENuMxbcUOtAScm-dA9K1Of79G4w/viewform?...

For an easy way to catch up on everything new in Google for Education from the summer, check out the recorded video, detailed agenda, and all the links from the GEG-Ohio August 2026 Meeting. We covered lots of new Google updates and helpful ideas and resources for schools.

You can access the recorded video, agenda, and all the links at:
https://www.controlaltachieve.com/2026/09/googlenews.html

Be sure to join us for the next GEG Ohio Meeting on September 30th at 1pm ET.

Feel free to share with others. Take care!

Eric

I have a principal that wants teachers to use the "listen to tab" feature that is in Google Docs.  It should be under Insert>Audio>Listen to Tab.  I believe I've enabled everything in the Google Admin console, but I am wondering if it's not covered in the Google Workspace for Education Plus accounts.  I struggle to understand what's included in which plans.  I'm assuming this feature is only available with the AI Pro for Education accounts?  Can anyone confirm?

https://support.google.com/docs/answer/16386234?hl=en_ZA

Step into September as we explore Literacy in a Digital Age. Discover how educators across the globe are expanding foundational literacy to include AI literacy, data fluency, and algorithm evaluation. Read our theme launch post for actionable strategies, Google Workspace tools, UNESCO frameworks, and a brand-new Gemini classroom prompt!

A new school year means new ideas, new challenges, and new opportunities to make learning more interactive, engaging and meaningful.

On our website, we’ve created a dedicated page for teachers, packed with practical tips and ideas for an interactive Back to School — with a focus on freshness, innovation, creativity, and, above all, usefulness for teachers in their everyday practice.

Have a look and get inspired! We’d love for teachers and colleagues from other GEG communities to explore it too. 💡✨

👉Here it is: https://www.gegitalia.online/risorse/back-to-school-2627

Let’s start this new school year together — with fresh ideas and a little bit of innovation! 🚀

@MarilenaFerraro @CFisanotti @andrealamanna @valentinamassa @pemanuele90 @Sabina_Hussaini 

Bring dynamic visual simulations into your classroom with Gemini, simplify assessment tracking in Google Sheets, and coordinate guest speakers effortlessly in Calendar.

We had a great audience last week for our event on the 25th August. 

The recording of this event is now up on our Google Site. Despite some internet issues throughout, we got there in the end! Super grateful again to our guest presenters for the event. @Dr_Narjeet_Kaur @LeahKaphuka @NaghamBaki , Michael Beckley and Luke Chingoli!

https://sites.google.com/geg-site.com/geg-malawi/events/past-events is where you can find the recording. 

We're still thinking about what our next event should focus on, if you have anything you're interested in - please let us know 🙂 

Empowering Students as Caretakers of Place in the Digital Age

Digital tools make it easy to copy and publish media in seconds, but access is not ownership, and recording is not permission. In the latest Global GEG event, Aotearoa New Zealand educator Rachel Duckworth breaks down how to integrate indigenous knowledge and local narratives into the classroom without stripping away authentic cultural context. From exploring the Māori concepts of whenua (land connection) and tūrangawaewae (a place to stand) to implementing a five-step framework that turns passive consumers into responsible caretakers (kaitiaki), discover how to use the Google ecosystem to anchor students in the living stories of their own communities.

Ready to bring place-based digital literacy to your curriculum? Read our full event recap, explore practical classroom blueprints, and join the worldwide conversation.

Аз съм учител по български език и литература. Книгата никога няма да бъде далече от ръцете ми и винаги първо нея ще подавам в ръцете на учениците си. 

И тъй като художествените текстове, без значение кога са създадени, владеят магията да пренасят през времето и пространството всяка мяра за света и живота по принцип, аз мисля, че днес децата трябва да откриват в тях и добавена стойност. 

Например: те трябва да изучават  „Бай Ганьо“ днес и заради това, че трябва да могат да разпознават „ганьовщината“ както в чуждите, така и в собствените си дигитални профили и да избират гражданската доблест пред лесната популярност.

Ако четат „Железният светилник“ , трябва да разберат, че традициите и моралът са онази здрава почва, върху която да градят своята идентичност в днешния така глобален свят.

Винаги, когато е възможно,  си поставям и такива отвъд литературни цели, защото днес алгоритмите вече влияят на много от нашите решения. И точно заради това децата днес се нуждаят от някакъв свой вътрешен филтър, за да не се изгубят.

В това е и големият смисъл на проекта "Анатомия на самотата - от острова до AI". С него свързахме темата за самотата на Робинзон Крузо с темата за самотата в дигиталната ера посредством паралел със съвременния казус за Адам Рейн - момчето, което през август 2025 г. се самоуби след няколкомесечен разговор с ChatGPT, а родителите му към момента водят дело срещу Open AI, защото откриват намесата на чатбота в решението на момчето да посегне на живота си.

Този паралел превърнахме в краен резултат: дигитално приложение за самоконтрол пред екрана - "Социален компас". 

Това е проектно базирано обучение, което  свързва знания и умения от областта на литературата, философията, физическото възпитание и спорт, математиката, биологията и информационните технологии. 

Дигиталната изолация е критичен проблем - случаят с Адам Рейн показва колко фатални могат да бъдат последиците, когато ИИ замени човешкото общуване. Крайно време е да си дадем сметка, че докато ние възрастните обмисляме как да въведем ИИ в учебните часове, вече голяма част от учениците са в задънена улица, изградили са вредни навици и култура за работа с ИИ, погрешно разбиране за смисъла и приложението му - няма учебен предмет в училище, по който целенасочено да се информират за всички рискове при работа с ИИ или да експериментират целогодишно с потенциалните му творчески възможности. Самообучават се и често в това самообучение сами не успяват да надскочат оценка Среден 3. Извън някои специализирани паралелки в специализирани училища в страната децата масово използват ии на примитивно базово ниво - копи-пейст. А наред с това и опасно припознават в него човешка компания, когато са сами. 

Вярвам, че всеки учител през призмата на учебното съдържание по всеки предмет не просто би могъл, а е длъжен да изгражда тази нова и така необходима култура за използването на този мощен инструмент. 

Надявам се  с този проект учениците ми да са разбрали посланието, че ИИ не е инструмент, с който да  ние да си създаваме нови социални проблеми, а е инструмент, с който да опитаме да решаваме такива проблеми. 

Това е моят начин, а какъв е вашият?

Hace seis años comenzamos este camino con una convicción que sigue intacta: el cambio educativo es posible cuando conectamos personas, compartimos conocimiento y construimos comunidad.

Desde 2020, GEG Buenos Aires se convirtió en un espacio de encuentro para docentes y educadores con ganas de aprender, experimentar, compartir experiencias y descubrir nuevas maneras de enseñar y aprender con tecnología.

A lo largo de estos años atravesamos contextos muy diferentes. Nos encontramos detrás de una pantalla cuando encontrarnos presencialmente no era posible. Creamos espacios para acompañarnos, capacitarnos y aprender juntos. Probamos herramientas, organizamos encuentros, compartimos recursos, impulsamos proyectos y construimos vínculos que trascendieron cada actividad.

Y en cada etapa hubo algo que permaneció constante: los pilares que nos unen como comunidad.

Empoderar. Inspirar. Aprender. Compartir.

GEG Buenos Aires no se construye solamente con eventos o capacitaciones. Se construye con cada docente que participa, hace una pregunta, comparte una experiencia, recomienda un recurso, se anima a probar algo nuevo o decide ayudar a otro educador.

Por eso, celebrar estos seis años es también celebrar a todas las personas que fueron y siguen siendo parte de esta comunidad.

Agradecemos especialmente al programa Google Educator Groups de Google for Education, que hace posible que educadores de distintas partes del mundo puedan encontrarse, colaborar y crecer a través de comunidades locales.

Y si todavía no sos parte de un GEG...

Este aniversario también puede ser una invitación.

Los Google Educator Groups reúnen a educadores interesados en aprender unos de otros, compartir experiencias y explorar cómo la tecnología puede contribuir a transformar la educación.

Buscá el GEG más cercano a tu ciudad o región, acercate a su comunidad y animate a participar.

Porque una comunidad empieza con un encuentro.
Una idea crece cuando se comparte.
Y la transformación educativa se vuelve posible cuando dejamos de pensarla en soledad.

Después de seis años, seguimos acá, con la misma convicción del primer día:

cuando conectamos personas, compartimos conocimiento y construimos comunidad, podemos transformar la educación.

🎉 ¡Felices 6 años, GEG Buenos Aires!

Seguimos conectando personas que transforman la educación. 💙❤️💛💚

Hello GEG Michigan! 

If you were unable to join our information session yesterday, here is the nitty-gritty. 

• Google AI Educator Series portal 

  You can start earning badges today! Here are three ways you can start learning and earning:
  • Option 1: GEG MI Guided office hours (9/2, 9/9, and 9/16 at 11:30am ET)
  • Option 2: In person meet up with a friend or colleague (coordinate with peer in your district)
  • Option 3: Self guided (on your own)

• Access Facilitator Training Resources & Slide Decks here >>> goo.gle/GES1pager 

• Check out the alignment to Michigan's AI guidelines here >>> https://www.googleforeducommunity.com/t5/blogs/blogworkflowpage/blog-id/GEG_Michiganblog-board/artic...

• 📅[Save the Date!] The GES Badge-a-thon: Day of AI Learning

  Keep the momentum going all semester long! We are gearing up to launch the GES Badge-a-thon on Saturday, September 19, 9am-7pm ET. This is an exciting initiative to help you and your school get a jump-start on AI learning this school year. Register here! 

Hi everyone, I'm Jill (a little more about me below)!

Welcome to our brand-new digital home! The virtual keys have been handed over, the Wi-Fi is strong, and the GEG US Tampa space is officially live.

Consider this our local sandbox—a place to swap all things Google, ask "how do I do this in Slides?" without judgment, share classroom wins, and connect with Tampa Bay educators who truly get it.

To kick off our very first roll call, drop a comment below with:

• Your name & your role/school

• One thing bringing you joy this week (bonus points for sharing a fave beverage or surprisingly effective teacher tricks)

• What you're here for most: smart strategies, fresh ideas, or peer support?

So glad you’re here—let’s build something awesome together! 🌴

With joy,

Hi everyone! QQ - for teacher recertification CEUs / Clock hours / PD credits, would a transcript from an accredited university with one undergraduate credit hour help you? Or must it be graduate hours?

Dear GEG Global Community,

Warm greetings from Sabah, Malaysia!

On behalf of Google Educator Groups (GEG) Sabah, we are delighted to extend a warm invitation to GEG Leaders, Co-Leaders, Captains, educators, and community members from around the world to join us for the upcoming GEG Summit Sabah 2026, taking place on 7 & 8 November 2026 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.

GEG Summit Sabah 2026 is envisioned as a global gathering of educators, education leaders, digital innovators, EdTech enthusiasts, and members of the Google educator community who share a passion for learning, collaboration, innovation, and meaningful educational transformation.

Throughout the summit, participants will have opportunities to Connect • Learn • Share • Inspire • Innovate through keynote sessions, interactive workshops, community showcases, networking opportunities, and conversations around the future of education, Google technologies, artificial intelligence, and digital learning.

We would also be truly honored to welcome our international GEG friends to our special GEG Summit Sabah Gala Night an evening dedicated to celebrating our global educator community, strengthening friendships and professional connections, recognising contributions, and experiencing the warmth and vibrant culture of Sabah, known as the Land Below the Wind.

Event Details

• Event: GEG Summit Sabah 2026

• Date: 7 & 8 November 2026

• Location: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

• Highlights: Keynote Sessions, Interactive Workshops, Community Networking, GEG Showcases & Gala Night Dinner

• GEG Summit Sabah Site: https://sites.google.com/view/gegsummitsabah/home

• GEG Sabah Official Portal: www.gegsabah.edu.my

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gegsabah

Whether you are joining us from within Malaysia, across the Asia-Pacific region, or from another part of the world, you are warmly welcome to be part of GEG Summit Sabah 2026.

Your presence would greatly enrich the spirit of collaboration, friendship, knowledge-sharing, and global connection that we hope to create during this special gathering.

Please let us know if you, your GEG community, or fellow educators are interested in attending. We would be pleased to share further information regarding registration, programme participation, accommodation, travel arrangements, and other logistics.

We look forward to welcoming the GEG Global Community to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, and creating unforgettable connections together at GEG Summit Sabah 2026.

See you in the Land Below the Wind!

Warm regards,

GEG Sabah Team

Ts.Jebat
Leader, Google Educator Groups Sabah
Google Certified Trainer • Google Certified Coach • Google Certified Innovator

www.jebatlegacy.vip

There is something truly unforgettable about the moment a virtual community steps into the real world together. Our first in-person gathering at the Google offices in London was a landmark moment filled with warmth, honest conversations, and powerful peer learning. Read our full event recap to relive the highlights and find out how we are keeping the momentum going with upcoming virtual sessions and regional meetups.

As we wrap up our August focus on Indigenous Knowledge & Local Context, discover how grounding digital learning in local wisdom creates sustainable, lasting impact for primary and secondary learners. Read on for practical strategies to carry place-based learning forward, our final theme reflection, and a new Gemini prompt to map your local curriculum!

Confused by the new 400-page Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) AI guidance? Discover how the free Google AI Educator Series (GES) helps you put its four core tenets into practice with quick, 15-minute classroom-ready sessions!

Google has announced the addition of U.S. National Parks to Google Arts & Culture through United Parks of America -  a brief guide to the history, culture, and beauty of U.S. national parks.

In a recent "EDU on Air for K-12" session, education leaders shared how school districts can move from AI policy anxiety to active, educator-led governance. Read on to learn how to design a pedagogy-first AI roadmap that integrates seamlessly with your existing guidelines.

Happy First Week Back Teachers, Admin, and Coaches!

This week, we are taking a look at the new Rubric features found in Google Classroom.

https://youtu.be/OksImhZbpBc

Did you know that you can create rubrics for NON-TECHY assignments too this year?

Please check out the video, share with others, leave a comment and give a thumbs up on our video page.

Let's all have a wonderful school year!

If you are an Instructional Coach, please consider also joining us for our GEG Instructional Coaches group!

Have a great week Champions!

Jeff

💡 Tips for Google Apps on Android Devices 📱
New Event for #GEGMalawi this Tuesday 25th August at 6pm GMT+2, via Google Meet. You might be thinking - wait.. didn't this group host this event last year?? Yes yes - but we had members of the local community request that we run a new one! So here we are!!

🤔 Curious about how you can use Google apps to make your life easier on your phone? Do you have some tips you'd like to share throughout in the Google meet chat? 💭

💙 Thank you to our presenters for volunteering to share out about some of their favourite apps for this session, Dr. @Dr_Narjeet_Kaur   @LeahKaphuka Luke Chingoli @NaghamBaki  and Michael Beckley!

🌻 If you are interested, or know of others who would benefit from this session - please share this with them. We'd love to connect!
✍ Registration link: https://forms.gle/bTkYAzzcyzvz4LWY7 or you can use the QR code in the image.

Yes, this event will be recorded, and shared on our Google Site after the event has concluded. 🎬

✨ Thank you @NaghamBaki  for the Canva template !

Can't find the trusted digital tool you are looking for?  Searching just takes you to ads?  You try freemium versions, etc etc - rabbit holes you do not have time for.  🐰

Not to worry - 🥔IdahoGEG has you covered!

https://www.idahogeg.com/teaching-resources-jessicas-corner Jessica's Corner is a robust offering of trusted, vetted digital tools, especially for STEM, CS, and tech content.  

Don't see what you want?  Fill out this form to request an update.

What will you click on first!?  Drop your comment below and let us know what you tried. ⬇️

Transform spreadsheets into interactive apps, capture in-person meetings with AI, and master calendar security! 📊 Discover how the latest Google Workspace updates streamline data, automate note-taking, and enhance administrative control in this week's Global GEG recap.

Discover how educators at LEO Academy Trust use AI as a "second pair of hands" to streamline lesson planning, admin tasks, and differentiation. In this insightful episode, you’ll learn how swapping manual heavy lifting for smart AI prompts can help you reclaim your time and focus more on your students.

Hello, Michigan educators!

Welcome to our brand-new platform space! Whether you were part of our previous GEG Michigan google group or you are joining us for the very first time, we are thrilled you’re here.

As we launch this community on our new platform, our goal is simple: to create a connected, collaborative space where Michigan teachers, tech coaches, administrators, higher-ed faculty, and educational leaders can share ideas, tackle challenges, and level up our tech skills together.

To get things rolling, we want to know who is in the room and where you’re tuning in from across the state!

Drop a comment below with:

1. Your Role & District/Organization: (e.g., 4th Grade Teacher, Tech Integration Specialist, High School Principal, ISD Specialist)

2. Where on the Mitten (or Yooper land!) are you located? (Bonus points for using the classic "hand map" reference: Thumb? Tip of the Mitt? West Michigan? UP?)

3. One goal or topic you hope to explore with this community this year (e.g., Gemini & AI tools, Chromebook workflow hacks, Google Workspace admin, digital citizenship, etc.)

I’ll kick things off in the comments below! Can't wait to see the incredible mix of talent and passion across our Great Lakes state. Tag a fellow Michigan colleague below who should join us!

Step into our third week of Indigenous Knowledge & Local Context as we examine how to ethically integrate regional ecological data and native language preservation into your daily curriculum using Google Workspace. Read on for practical teaching strategies, project frameworks, and our latest Gemini prompt!

Google Classroom recently underwent its most dramatic visual update. Watch GEG Instructional Coaches leaders @JeffBradbury & @CamiKann break down the new interface, student experience, and essential teaching features.

FREE Back to School PD Resource:  Good for all K-12 Education Stakeholders

This morning I attended the virtual Global GEG Event: "Digital Roots — Integrating Traditional Knowledge into Classrooms (Bahasa Indonesia)".

As a native English speaker, this was a brand-new experience for me (and yes, I was a little unsure of myself!)

I relied on Google Meet’s real-time translation + English closed-captions to follow along—and it worked seamlessly!
It was incredible to immerse myself in another culture's approach to education.

What struck me most is how connected we ALL are: educators around the globe are using Google Workspace for Education to solve the same challenges, innovate, and bring incredible value to their students.

Huge thank you to the organizers and speakers for an inspiring session! 💙
Ahmad Fikri Dzulfikar Febriandrini Kumala, M.IB., M.Ed Nastiti Rahajeng

In our conversation together, Dr. Kirsti Lonka challenges the binary "good vs. bad" view of screen-time, urging educators to focus instead on how digital tools can foster active, knowledge-driven engagement rather than passive consumption. By designing lessons around real-world phenomena, teachers can bridge the gap between classroom learning and the collaborative, multidisciplinary nature of the modern world.

Megan Smith is an Instructional Technology Specialist at Lancaster-Lebanon IU13, where she leads professional learning around educational technology and student-centered learning. With over 20 years in education, spanning elementary teaching, instructional coaching, and technology integration, she has extensive experience designing and facilitating professional development focused on instructional best practices. Megan is passionate about helping educators discover meaningful ways to leverage technology to enhance student learning.