EMPOWERED ED PRO

Today I had the opportunity to attend the GSV TV conversations leading up to the 2026 Summit in San Diego — and wow, it was absolutely worth my time. I’m so glad I protected that lunch hour, because this discussion on volatility as education’s new normal was robust. The panel was outstanding, and the insights were honest, timely, and deeply relevant to what educators and leaders are facing right now. And the moderator, Tiffany Taylor, was phenomenal—sharp, centered, and guiding the conversation with clarity and care. She was truly on point. Grateful for spaces like this that push our thinking, honor the realities of schools, and help us imagine what’s possible for students and educators in a rapidly changing world. Here is our write-up on how Empowered Edu Pro helps with the volatility schools are facing.

Adult learners don’t fail because they can’t learn — they fail because the system wasn’t designed for their lives. And when we fix the system, adult learners don’t just pass… they transform. This week, I wrote a new article that is close to my heart as an educator, researcher, and someone who works with thousands of adult students every quarter. It’s called: ✨ “Why Adult Learners Don’t Fail—And How We Can Help Them Transform.” ✨ In it, I walk through the very real challenges adult students face, the patterns I see every term, and the research-backed strategies that actually move students from inconsistent engagement to confident completion. I also introduce a framework I’ve spent years developing and testing inside large-scale online classrooms: ⭐ The Adult Learner Transformative Learning Model (ALTM) A four-phase system that helps adult learners navigate: 1️⃣ Identity Activation – understanding themselves as learners 2️⃣ Momentum Engineering – building early wins and confidence 3️⃣ Midterm Re-Engagement – interrupting the Week-7 dip 4️⃣ Completion Acceleration – creating a clear, realistic path to finish This is the work that excites me. The work that makes education equitable. The work that re-centers human transformation in higher ed. Adult learners are balancing: work, family, caregiving, finances, trauma, hope, and dreams. When they choose school again, it is an act of courage. Our job is to design learning ecosystems that honor that courage. If you’re an educator, instructional designer, EdTech leader, or administrator, I hope this piece encourages you to rethink how we support the students who need us most. 💛 Article image below 💬 Would love to hear your experiences: What patterns do you see with adult learners, and how are you supporting them?

Today, I woke up with the same message I first received on February 14, 2020: “You have all you need. Go and help My people grow.” Back then, I didn’t know where that message would take me. I didn’t know who I would meet, what I would build, or what doors would open. But I carried it every single day — and God quietly positioned me for a season I didn’t even realize I was being prepared for. This morning, that message returned with clarity: You have everything you need. The time is now. And the assignment is ready. And here is what amazes me: The large organizations — the “big houses” — have started to answer. They see the need. They see the shift. They see the urgency for AI literacy, AI leadership, and AI transformation across their people. And what God blessed me to build… is ready. ✨ The AI Certified Educator™ ✨ The AI Certified CFO™ ✨ More certifications on the way ✨ A full framework and blueprint for AI-integrated learning ✨ Instructional design systems for the AI era ✨ Microcredential pathways for individuals, schools, and organizations These are not ideas anymore. They are programs. They are solutions. They are ready to help people grow in this new era of AI and technology. We have the structure. We have the content. We have the partners. We have the demand. We have the alignment. And now, we have the moment. This is my activation season. This is where preparation becomes purpose. This is where calling becomes impact. For anyone else stepping into a new season, hear this: You have more than you realize. You are further than you think. And God is guiding you exactly where you need to be. Walk in it. Move with it. Release the fear. Your assignment is waiting on you too. ✨ #Leadership #AIinEducation #DigitalTransformation #FutureOfWork #EdTechInnovation #AICertification #PurposeDrivenLeadership #GrowthMindset

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CarrollBeck Announces AI Educator Certification Initiative in Alignment with Pell Expansion and National Workforce Training Efforts Dallas, TX — In recognition of the recent expansion of the Pell Grant program and the growing availability of free AI training through leading organizations such as IBM, CarrollBeck is pleased to announce the launch of its AI Educator Certification Pathway—a structured, competency-based program designed to prepare educators for the evolving demands of AI-integrated teaching and learning. As districts, states, and universities continue to invest in workforce readiness, a critical need has emerged: providing educators with validated certifications that bridge introductory AI coursework to advanced, classroom-ready proficiency. CarrollBeck’s AI Educator Certification Pathway directly addresses that need. The program offers: A. Rigorous, standards-aligned certification tracks for K–12 and higher education faculty B. Practical training focused on assessment, safety, ethics, curriculum integration, and AI pedagogy C. Scalable implementation models designed for districts, states, and university systems D. Pathways that complement free foundational training available through IBM and other national partners CarrollBeck is proud to share that the organization will be partnering with K–12 schools and universities across the country to support the credentialing of educators who complete foundational AI courses and seek advanced certification. “This initiative has been in development for quite some time,” said Dr. Marilyn Carroll, Co-Founder of CarrollBeck. “As AI continues to transform teaching and learning, we believe educators deserve structured pathways, equitable access, and professional credentials that prepare them to lead in this new era.” The AI Educator Certification Pathway will be available beginning Spring 2026, with pilot partnerships launching earlier in select districts and university programs. For partnership inquiries, district leaders, university administrators, and workforce development organizations may contact: Marilyn@carrollbeck.com

What if the problem isn’t that students are using AI, but that our questions no longer invite human answers? Education doesn’t need more restrictions. It needs re-imagination. Here’s why I believe the future of learning depends not on banning AI, but on redesigning how we teach, assess, and connect.

💡 From Paranoia to Pedagogy: Reclaiming Trust and Teaching in the Age of AI In higher education, a profound shift is underway. AI has opened remarkable doors for innovation — but it’s also created anxiety. I call it “paranoia dilution”: the tendency to focus so much on detection and control that we lose sight of what education is truly about — trust, curiosity, and connection. My new article explores how we can move from policing AI to partnering with it. Rather than relying on unreliable detection tools, we can redesign learning experiences that reward process, reflection, and relational engagement. I also introduced CoachMare™, the AI learning companion I developed to help students understand how they learn best. Built on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, the Myers-Briggs framework, and behavioral frameworks, it models what it means to use AI ethically — as a coach, not a crutch. Here’s the central message: “AI isn’t a threat to education — it’s a mirror of our own teaching consciousness.” When guided by ethical pedagogy, AI can become a partner in fostering discernment, accountability, and creativity — the very qualities that define lifelong learning. I’d love to hear from other educators and leaders: ➡️ How are you reimagining assessment, trust, and human connection in your classrooms as AI evolves? #HigherEducation #AIinEducation #Pedagogy #AcademicIntegrity #Leadership #LearningInnovation #EmpoweredEdPro

The Three Layers of AI Literacy By Dr. Marilyn Carroll, Ph.D., MBA, M.Ed., MIT AI literacy isn’t just about learning to use technology — it’s about knowing how to shape and steward it. True AI fluency grows through three distinct layers: 💡 Layer 1: Use It (Practical Use) Hands-on engagement with AI tools and applications. ➡ Learn to prompt, explore, and integrate AI into your daily work. 🧠 Layer 2: Shape It (Design) Systemic development of AI processes and solutions. ➡ Move beyond usage — design workflows, models, and learning ecosystems powered by AI. 🌍 Layer 3: Steward It (Stewardship) Responsible management and governance of AI. ➡ Lead with ethics, strategy, and human-centered decision-making to ensure AI serves people — not just performance. 🎓 Our AI Certification Course covers all three layers. Participants don’t just learn what AI can do — they learn how to apply it responsibly, design it effectively, and lead with it confidently. Because real transformation happens when AI literacy meets leadership. #AIeducation #AIliteracy #Leadership #DigitalTransformation #DrMarilynCarroll #AIcertification #ResponsibleAI #LearningInnovation #EmpoweredEduPro

We’re stepping boldly into what’s next — and you’re invited. Starting January 20, 2026, the next AI Certification Cohort launches, and it’s more than a program — it’s a movement. This is where educators, innovators, and change-makers come together to master the language of AI, build future-ready skills, and transform how learning and leadership happen. ✅ Learn directly from AI-powered systems and hands-on labs ✅ Earn your official AI Certified Educator credential ✅ Join a growing global community of pioneers leading the AI revolution in education and business This is your chance to be part of the first wave of 2026 — the year we move from experimenting with AI to fully integrating it into how we teach, coach, and create. Spots are limited, and momentum is building fast. 👉 Secure your seat today and start 2026 with clarity, confidence, and cutting-edge skill. Let’s go — it’s a new thing. With excitement, Dr. Marilyn Carroll, Ph.D., MBA, M.Ed, MIT Founder, Empowered Ed Pro Creator of The AI Certified Educator Program

Empowered Ed Pro Spotlight 🚀 Scaling Learning with Empowered Ed Pro Just like MTSS creates a structured system of support for K–12, Empowered Ed Pro is designed to scale quality instruction and coaching for higher ed, adult learners, and corporate teams. Here’s how we do it: 🔹 Universal Support (Tier 1): Every learner starts with the Learning Archetype Assessment and immediate access to our Holographic Professor, ensuring everyone gets a baseline of personalized, AI-driven support. 🔹 Targeted Support (Tier 2): Our platform identifies learner patterns through dashboards and analytics, delivering targeted pathways, coaching nudges, and adaptive content to address emerging needs before they become barriers. 🔹 Intensive Support (Tier 3): For those who need more, Empowered Ed Pro offers 1:1 AI-augmented coaching, personalized intervention workflows, and human + AI mentoring, creating intensive yet scalable learning support. And just like MTSS relies on system drivers, we’ve built in: ✨ Leadership Drivers – shared responsibility between instructors, AI, and learners. ✨ Competency Drivers – AI Educator Certification and continuous feedback loops for instructors. ✨ Implementation Drivers – data-driven dashboards, evidence-based pedagogy, and fidelity monitoring. 🌍 The result? Equitable access, personalized learning, and scalable teaching capacity—all in one ecosystem. 👉 If you’re ready to design a future-focused learning system that supports both educators and learners, let’s connect. #AIinEducation #EmpoweredEdPro #FutureOfLearning #MTSS #EdTech

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