The Center for Digital Education (CDE), in partnership with the National School Boards Association (NSBA), has announced the 2025 winners of the Innovative Technology Integration Awards and the inaugural Leadership in Education and Digital Innovation (LEAD) Awards. These national honors recognize school districts and education leaders who are using technology thoughtfully and responsibly, including artificial intelligence, data systems, and digital learning tools, to strengthen instruction, improve operations, and expand equitable access to learning opportunities for all students.
Columbia Union School District was recognized for our intentional integration of instructional technology to personalize learning, making data-informed decision-making to bolster current intervention and support system that are helping increase student performance and close student achievement gaps, and supporting professional learning in AI integration and us.
Dr. Nicolas Wade, Superintendent, reflected on what pushed the district to embrace technology and AI by noting the conversations started with "sustainability in staffing and programs," which "quickly and naturally evolved" into opportunities to bring about greater student exposure to new concepts and activities.
"I am incredibly proud that we have been recognized with the Innovative Technology Integration Award," said Dr. Wade. "For a small, rural K–8 district, this honor reflects the big work happening every day with our staff. This recognition isn't about gadgets or shiny tools, it’s about people and purpose."
Dr. Wade especially noted that what truly sets Columbia apart is the culture. Staff consistently look for new opportunities and creative solutions to keep students engaged, supported, and inspired. "There is a shared belief across our district that we can always improve and that innovation is part of our responsibility to students," explained Dr. Wade. "That mindset, a willingness to learn, adapt and lead, is what turns ideas into impact and ensures every child has meaningful opportunities to grow."
He also shared that while they do tend to run into hiccups when putting these solutions or experiences into practice, the staff have always been "resilient" and "solutions-based." Dr. Wade elaborated by saying the embrace of technology and AI has led to well-received endeavors such as expanded interventions tied to literacy and math, high school credit classes, further support for fine arts, the after school Discoveries program, and next year the inclusion of Project Lead The Way.
The Innovative Technology Integration Awards saw Columbia compete with school districts with enrollment up to 10,000. Having received the award, Dr. Wade shared a board member's comment that it showed how Columbia can "punch above its weight class."
When asked if other school districts have been embracing and adopting Columbia's approach, he said, "That is a question the CDE and NSBA asked, as have other professional organizations. What is regularly observed by them is what we do is something that is simple, sustainable, and easily scalable. What helped us move forward, and quickly, is that we have a supportive board, staff, and community and sometimes not all districts are able to enjoy that or they have other dynamics to contend with."
The CDE and NSBA have released a press release that can be found here.