About Us
Meet the Founders of AIK12Incubator
At AIK12 Incubator, we aim to ignite a passion for learning in every student. Our mission is to provide engaging educational resources that foster creativity and critical thinking.
Danielle Ricks & Sonya Coleman
Visionaries. Strategists. Champions for the Future of Education.
Why We’re Uniquely Qualified to Lead This Work
At the intersection of education, media, and innovation, Danielle Ricks and Sonya Coleman bring a powerful combination of experience, purpose, and passion to the AIK12Incubator. Together, they are building a bold, equity-centered movement to prepare K–12 students, educators, and administrators for an AI-powered world.
- ✳️ Danielle Ricks is a media consultant, digital strategist, and educator with over two decades of experience helping organizations, creatives, and communities navigate the evolving media and tech landscape. As the Director of Education and Community Engagement at Montgomery Community Media and an adjunct professor at Howard University, Danielle has mentored the next generation of storytellers and digital leaders. She specializes in making emerging technologies—like AI—accessible, ethical, and engaging, especially for historically underrepresented groups.
- ✳️ Sonya Coleman is a true champion of children, driven by the unwavering belief that every child can learn and deserves equitable access to quality education. A nationally respected leader in the EdTech industry, Sonya serves as the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Curriculum Associates, where she forges impactful relationships with educational leaders and decision-makers across the country. Her experience in sales strategy, revenue growth, and district partnerships uniquely positions her to guide schools through transformative change—with a heart-centered approach and a deep commitment to student success.
What We’re Bringing to Districts, Educators & Students
AIK12Incubator is more than a program—it’s a movement to make AI education inclusive, inspiring, and actionable.
- For districts, we offer scalable, strategic guidance on implementing AI in a way that is ethical, effective, and future-proof.
- For educators, we deliver professional development that demystifies AI and builds confidence—without jargon or overwhelm.
- For students, we create joyful, hands-on learning experiences that spark curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.
Together, Danielle and Sonya are reimagining what it means to be future-ready—making sure every school, educator, and learner has the tools, knowledge, and inspiration to lead with AI, not fear it.
Situation
- Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming every aspect of society—including education. While AI has the potential to enhance learning, personalize instruction, and streamline administrative tasks, most K–12 schools are not yet prepared to implement it effectively or equitably. Educators and students alike lack the training, tools, and confidence to engage with AI in meaningful ways.
Complication
- Despite growing interest in AI, school systems face significant barriers: limited professional development, unclear policies, equity concerns, and a digital divide that leaves many students behind. Teachers are overwhelmed, administrators lack strategic guidance, and students are often using AI without understanding its implications. Without a structured, culturally competent framework for AI education, the gap between tech innovation and classroom readiness continues to widen.
Solution
- AIK12Incubator provides a scalable, inclusive training and resource program for students, teachers, and administrators to integrate AI responsibly and creatively into education. Through a mix of live instruction, hands-on projects, and district-level guidance, we empower schools to embrace AI as a tool for learning, leadership, and lifelong success. Our model ensures equity, accessibility, and future-readiness for K–12 communities—preparing them not just to keep up with AI, but to lead with it.
How We Service Districts, Educators & Students
For Schools & Districts
- 1. AIK12 Curriculum Licensing
Customizable, grade-banded curriculum aligned to national standards for students (3–12), educators, and administrators. - 2. District-Wide Implementation Packages
Tiered onboarding support for schools and districts, including training, content deployment, and strategic integration of AI tools. - 3. AI Readiness & Strategy Consulting
Strategic consulting for school leaders on implementing AI safely, ethically, and effectively in learning environments. - 4. Professional Development Days (PD)
Full and half-day workshops for staff on AI fundamentals, prompt engineering, lesson planning with AI, and more. - 5. Data & Digital Ethics Workshops
Hands-on training on responsible AI use, bias, privacy, and algorithmic accountability in educational settings.
For Educators
- 6. AI Essentials for Educators Course
A 4-week cohort-based course designed for teachers and administrators who want to build AI confidence and cultural competence. - 7. AI Lesson Lab Membership (Coming 2026)
A subscription-based monthly membership offering lesson plans, live office hours, prompt libraries, and micro-courses. - 8. Educator Coaching & Mentorship
One-on-one and small group coaching to help teachers design, pilot, and reflect on AI-enhanced instruction.
For Students
- 9. Student AI Explorers Program
After-school and summer enrichment programs focused on creativity, entrepreneurship, storytelling, and ethical AI use. - 10. Hack the Future: Student AI Challenge
A guided challenge series where students solve real-world problems using beginner-friendly AI tools and present their solutions. - 11. Digital Storytelling with AI
Workshops that introduce students to how AI supports content creation, visual storytelling, and digital citizenship.