Nearly 200 teachers from Miami-Dade County Public Schools are building AI skills and working toward Pearson's Foundations of AI for PK-12 Educators credential.
MIAMI — August 28, 2026 — As students return to the classroom, nearly 200 teachers from Miami-Dade County Public Schools participated in professional development designed to help them build practical AI skills, prepare students for an increasingly AI-enabled world and work toward Pearson's Foundations of AI for PK-12 Educators credential. The event was held in collaboration with Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Pearson delivered the training on August 7 and will administer the certification exams through the fall.
What teachers learned: Built around the realities of K-12 classrooms, the professional development covered:
- AI fundamentals and literacy
- Practical classroom applications
- Prompting and productivity skills
- Ethics, privacy and responsible use
- Strategies for helping students become informed AI users
Why it matters: Artificial intelligence is already reshaping education. Pearson research found that 54% of educators are exploring generative AI for lesson planning and 57% are using it to design learning activities. More than half view AI's role in education positively, yet many remain concerned about misuse and academic integrity, underscoring the need for teacher training and AI literacy.
The White House AI education initiative: Pearson provided the training as part of its commitment to the White House's "Pledge to America's Youth: Investing in AI Education." Pearson has pledged to deliver AI learning and certification opportunities to 250,000 teachers across the United States.
What it means for students and teachers: “This partnership with Pearson advances Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ commitment to preparing both educators and students for the future of work. By equipping teachers with AI knowledge and industry-recognized credentials, we are strengthening classroom instruction, fostering innovation in teaching and learning, and ensuring students develop the skills needed to thrive in a technology-driven economy,” said Lupe Ferran Diaz, Ph.D., Administrative Director, Division of Academics, Department of Career and Technical Education, Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
AI certification, designed for educators: "This certification pathway is specifically designed for K-12 teachers to help them build confidence with AI, save time on routine tasks, and make informed decisions about when and how to use AI to support student learning. We're proud to collaborate with Miami-Dade County Public Schools to expand access to this training," said Art Valentine, President, Pearson Assessment and Qualifications.
About Pearson
At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to help people realize the life they imagine through learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That's why our c. 18,000 Pearson employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world's lifelong learning company, serving customers in nearly 200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data. For us, learning isn't just what we do. It's who we are. Visit us at plc.pearson.com.
Media Contact: Allison Bazin, [email protected]
# # #
Teachers Get AI-Ready for the New School Year: Teachers attend an artificial intelligence professional development and certification program hosted by learning company Pearson on August 7, 2026, in Miami. Nearly 200 teachers from Miami-Dade County Public Schools participated and are now working toward a verified AI credential as they begin the new school year. The program is part of Pearson's commitment to expand AI learning opportunities for teachers nationwide through the White House's "Pledge to America's Youth: Investing in AI Education." [Photography: Jesus Aranguren/AP Content Services for Pearson].