New Certification Program Launches to Help Educators Navigate Teaching and Learning With Artificial Intelligence

RIVERSIDE – Artificial intelligence has arrived in classrooms —through students’ phones, teachers’ questions, and parents’ concerns. Thoughtfully and reflectively adapting mindsets and strategies that establish AI as a tool instead of a threat, is at the core of a new AI-Ready Educator Certification created and offered by the Riverside County Office of Education.

The constantly evolving and expanding impact of AI in all industries is why the Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE) has partnered with Alludo to introduce the AI-Ready Educator Certification program to help educators master AI and prepare students for their future. The asynchronous online curriculum is designed for lifelong learners in educational roles who are seeking to increase their AI readiness through responsible and ethical usage.

“Artificial intelligence is fundamentally transforming teaching and learning, and the students in our classrooms expect their educators to prepare them for their professional and educational dreams,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez. “The AI-Ready Educator Certification program is an innovative tool for educators who are committed to providing a competitive edge to students and developing the leaders of tomorrow.”

The program includes the following:

• 19 modules of coursework
• 300+ lessons
• Role-specific training for any educator (teacher, classified staff, administrator)
• Live Q&A sessions weekly with AI educators
• Sessions with industry experts to discuss up-to-date news about AI
• Community connections and collaborative learning opportunities with program participants 

With 25 years of classroom and district experience, RCOE Coordinator, Dr. Heidi Baynes, is the developer of the AI-Ready Educator Certification program. Dr. Heidi Baynes holds a doctorate degree in educational leadership and educational technology. She was honored as the Technology Leader of the Year in 2018 by Inland Area Computer Using Educator (IACUE) and was the recipient of the Computer Using Educator (CUE) Making IT Happen Award in 2024. She is a frequent speaker at educational conferences and is connected to the latest educational research and best practices in educational technology.

For more information on how to register for the program, visit www.rcoe.us/ai-ready-educator or contact Dr. Heidi Baynes at hbaynes@rcoe.us.

About the Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE)

RCOE is a service agency supporting the county’s 23 school districts and 500+ schools that serve nearly 430,000 students—more than the student population of 17 states. RCOE services include administrative support to districts and charter schools, programs for preschool, special education, pregnant minor, correctional, migrant, and vocational students. In addition, the organization provides professional training, support, and resources for more than 18,000 teachers, administrators, and staff, throughout the 7,000 square miles of Riverside County. Learn more at www.rcoe.us.

About Alludo

Alludo is transforming professional development for K-12 education, with over 156,000 educators across 5,800+ schools completing more than 2.7 million lessons and 896,000 hours of professional development on its innovative learning platform. Through micro-learning experiences that take just 5-15 minutes, Alludo helps school districts build capacity, increase engagement, and document measurable growth—all while respecting educators' time and busy schedules. The platform's gamified, self-paced approach has made Alludo the partner of choice for districts seeking to modernize professional development and prepare educators for the future of teaching. Learn more at www.alludolearning.com.