Session E2. Beyond the Algorithm: Preparing Students to Think, Feel, and Create in an AI World 

Presenter:
Izzi Buikus, Artist/Teacher/Coach, Artfully Educate/University School of Milwaukee 

When I first stepped into the art room, I believed I was teaching students how to make art. Over time, I realized something much more important was happening. In the quiet moments of threading a needle, in the frustration of bending a wire that refuses to cooperate, and in the calm of pouring wax into a candle jar, students were learning who they are. They were learning how to handle struggle, how to stay with a challenge, and how to trust their own ideas. As AI becomes more present in our lives, these human skills are becoming even more essential. Instead of technical skills, students need resilience, curiosity, reflection, and a sense of identity they can stand on. The art room has always been a place where these qualities grow. Now, we need to nurture them with intention. This session shares stories from my journey as an artist turned educator turned instructional coach, and from the real moments that often get overlooked in art class. Participants will leave with three practical tools: Name-Frame-Claim, Creative Identity Mapping, and the Resilience Studio Framework. Together, these simple practices show how creativity prepares young people for a future that needs thoughtful, confident, deep thinkers.