How ABC Unified is leading the edtech charge

Opening & Introductions

Laurel: Thank you so much for joining us for our Kami-hosted Unstoppable Schools series!

I’m so excited to be hosting today. My name is Laurel Aguilar-Kerchoff. I’m an EdTech leader and teach at California State University, San Bernardino, in California. I also have the distinct pleasure of working here at Kami.

We’re launching this brand-new thought leadership series, and for my guests today, I’m incredibly honored to welcome two amazing colleagues whom I admire deeply. Joining us are Mike Lawrence and Cortney Pyle from ABC Unified. We’ll be exploring how ABC Unified is leading EdTech change and innovation across schools and districts throughout the country.

Mike, I’ll hand it over to you to introduce yourself first, then Cortney, and we’ll get this conversation started.

Meet the Guests

Mike: Great! Good to see you, and thank you for having us. My role here is Director of Information and Technology. Before that, I held a number of roles: high school English teacher, nonprofit work, and time in EdTech. I’m thrilled to be here and excited to share, especially with Cortney here too.

Cortney: Hi! I’m Cortney Pyle, and I teach sixth grade at Stowers Elementary in Cerritos. I’ve been part of our district’s Technology Integration Program (TIP) for eleven years, since the beginning. It’s constantly evolving—our work is never done!

Why EdTech Matters

Laurel: When we talk about EdTech, we’re really looking at measurable student learning outcomes—not chasing shiny tools. We want tech to make learning accessible, relevant, and empowering.

So, Mike and Cortney, how have you approached digital learning in ways that empower students and teachers?

Shifting Mindsets, Not Just Tools

Mike: Teaching with tech isn’t really about the tech—it’s a mindset shift. Teachers may not always be the tech expert in the room, and that’s okay. Students can lead while teachers guide learning objectives.

At ABC Unified, IT reports through Academic Services, and I sit on Cabinet. My purpose isn’t just technical—it’s student success, whether with a pencil or a device. Tech should serve a human purpose.

Laurel: That’s such an innovative leadership model.

Building Capacity Through TIP

Cortney: Getting students college and career ready has always been our goal. Eleven years ago, we started small. TIP leaders met regularly, took bus tours to learn from each other, and shared ideas. Fear was common early on, so the district assigned tech liaisons who co-taught and troubleshot in real time. That support made meaningful integration possible.

Funding, Support & Sustainability

Laurel: That support requires investment. What advice would you give districts with fewer resources?

Mike: Connect EdTech to curriculum. Use LCAP and MTSS funding to support roles like Tech Champions and tech assistants. Even if staffing can’t match ABC Unified’s model, districts can align EdTech with funding for student-support groups—SPED, ELL, foster, and homeless youth.

Fear of tech has resurfaced with AI, but instead of locking things down, we show teachers how AI empowers creativity, efficiency, and responsible use.

Professional Learning That Works

Cortney: Small-group PD is most effective. We bring in half-day subs, tailor sessions by grade level, and sit side-by-side with teachers to connect tools directly to curriculum. Teachers need time to explore—that’s when adoption sticks.

Supporting Teachers on the Journey

Laurel: What advice would you give teachers starting their EdTech journey?

Cortney: It’s a journey—don’t expect instant mastery. Find what fits your style and students. With time, it becomes second nature, and you start seeing how tech truly enhances instruction.

Districtwide Transparency & Investment

Mike: Success comes from intentional investment and transparency. We follow a balanced budgeting approach—hardware, software, infrastructure, support, and professional learning. Our PD budget nearly matches our premium software spend.

We offer large PD events, targeted workshops, stipends for Tech Champions, and on-site coaching. We also audit software regularly to eliminate redundancy and reinvest savings back into learning.

The Future: AI, Creativity & Student Agency

Cortney: Technology lets students express imagination—writing, visuals, multimedia. But teaching digital citizenship is crucial.

Mike: The future is personalized learning powered by AI and emerging technologies. But at its core, student agency matters most. If students understand how they learn and think critically, they’ll be prepared for challenges ahead.

Closing Reflections

Laurel: So many valuable takeaways today—leadership insights, teacher empowerment, and a vision for future-ready learning.

Thank you, Mike and Cortney, for sharing your experiences. And thank you to ABC Unified for supporting this work.

This has been part of the Kami Unstoppable Schools Series—see you next time!