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Emily McGinnis

Emily McGinnis

K-12 National Education ManagerKI

Before joining the KI team as the K-12 National Education Market Manager, Emily McGinnis spent the previous twenty-one plus years of her career as an educator in K-12 schools. She split that time as a teacher and principal in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. Her experience includes elementary, middle and high school levels for both public and public charter school systems.

Her blend of leadership, teaching, and community growth provide a wealth of knowledge to KI’s K-12 clients and internal team members. Emily holds a Masters of Arts in Teaching, with an additional Reading Specialist certification, as well as a Masters in K-12 School Administration from Wingate University, Her passion has always been helping students to experience joy and fun while learning. She continues to challenge our KI teams to learn more about how a school’s culture and environment support the overall success of a student. Emily completed the A4LE’s Advanced Academy in June 2024 and has the certification of Accredited Learning Environment Planner (ALEP). She is excited to partner with your team to create a learning environment with the students and educators top of mind. 

Thu Oct 292:00 PM – 3:00 PM

New Horizons for Learning Environments in the Age of AI

Amid the rapid rise of AI, this session rethinks what defines an optimal learning ecosystem. This new “horizon” calls for a new language to describe w…Amid the rapid rise of AI, this session rethinks what defines an optimal learning ecosystem. This new “horizon” calls for a new language to describe where and how learning happens. As spatial taxonomies evolve, so too must our approach to design—shif…Amid the rapid rise of AI, this session rethinks what defines an optimal learning ecosystem. This new “horizon” calls for a new language to describe where and how learning happens. As spatial taxonomies evolve, so too must our approach to design—shifting from prescriptive solutions to performance‑driven environments that adapt in real time to learner needs. Participants will leave with a fresh framework for understanding how learning environments…Amid the rapid rise of AI, this session rethinks what defines an optimal learning ecosystem. This new “horizon” calls for a new language to describe where and how learning happens. As spatial taxonomies evolve, so too must our approach to design—shifting from prescriptive solutions to performance‑driven environments that adapt in real time to learner needs. Participants will leave with a fresh framework for understanding how learning environments, powered by AI, can unlock new possibilities for student agency, educator impact, and systemic equity.  Show MoreClick the title to see all detailsShow More

EDsession (60 minutes in classrooms)Session TypeTRACK 1: Learning Spaces, Reimagined — Evolving physical spaces shaping the future of learningSession Track
Tomas Jimenez Eliaeson
Emily McGinnis
Jolene Levin
Tomas Jimenez Eliaeson
Tomas Jimenez EliaesonDesign PArtner, Little
Emily McGinnis
Emily McGinnisK-12 National Education Manager, KI
Jolene Levin
Jolene LevinK-12 Education Consultant, Consults for KI and Platinum
Tomas Jimenez Eliaeson
Tomas Jimenez EliaesonDesign PArtner, Little
Emily McGinnis
Emily McGinnisK-12 National Education Manager, KI
Jolene Levin
Jolene LevinK-12 Education Consultant, Consults for KI and Platinum
Tags:Group D
Allow Registration:No
Capacity Unlimited:No
Indicate how the topic is applicable to Health, Safety, Welfare (HSW) Design credits.:This presentation supports **Health, Safety, and Welfare** by exploring how thoughtfully designed, AI‑enabled learning environments can enhance student wellbeing, psychological safety, and inclusive participation. By positioning the environment as a dynamic part of the learning ecosystem, the session highlights strategies that reduce stress, support diverse learners, and foster a sense of belonging. Participants will examine how adaptable, performance‑driven environments respond to real‑time learner needs, strengthening safety, engagement, and equitable access while supporting educator effectiveness.
Learner Engagement:Participants will engage in interactive discussion and applied exercises that invite them to rethink learning environments from the perspectives of educators, students, and administrators. Together, the audience will explore how AI enabled spaces can transform teaching and learning— *Invite attendees to actively re imagine a learning environment *Give them a shared language or framework they co create during the session *Ask them to apply ideas to a real challenge from their own context *Leave with one actionable shift they can test immediately
Learning Objective 1:Explain the role of learning environments within an AI enabled learning ecosystem, including the interconnected relationship between teacher, student, technology, environment, and time- bridging the design and education industries to create environments where both students and teachers thrive.