Navigating Teacher Leadership in the Age of AI: The NAVIGATE Framework

Oct 16

When schools talk about artificial intelligence, the conversation often turns quickly to tools: what to use, what to block, and how to stay compliant. But underneath those questions lies a deeper one: What does it mean to lead through this kind of change?

At Kinwise, we believe the future of AI in education depends not just on technology, but on teacher leadership. Long before AI entered classrooms, educational researcher Dr. Jason Margolis described how teacher leaders thrive “on the edge of chaos,” a space where schools must continuously adapt, learn, and evolve. His work, grounded in complexity theory, reminds us that leadership in education is rarely linear. It’s dynamic, relational, and deeply human.

The NAVIGATE Framework builds on that foundation. It translates Margolis’s insights into a practical model for the AI era: one that helps teachers and schools lead with clarity, care, and curiosity amid constant change.

The NAVIGATE Framework

Each element of the framework highlights a dimension of teacher leadership essential for navigating AI integration responsibly and sustainably.

N — Normalize Learning & Experimentation
Make it safe to try, fail, and learn. Model your own AI experiments and share what didn’t work. Create informal spaces where teachers can learn together instead of alone.

A — Assess & Address Readiness Levels
Listen for patterns in what teachers need. Notice who’s experimenting effectively and who needs support. Connect people based on where they are in their learning journey.

V — Vision & Values Alignment
Help teachers connect AI to your school’s existing goals—like preparing future-ready graduates—rather than treating it as another initiative. Anchor innovation in enduring values even as tools evolve.

I — Information Flow & Translation
Bridge perspectives between classrooms and leadership. Translate guidelines into practice—and practice into better guidelines. Build two-way feedback loops so insights flow freely.

G — Guard Rails & Responsible Use
Co-create flexible principles for ethical AI use. Normalize revision as tools evolve. What works today may need adjustment tomorrow.

A — Anxiety & Ethics Management
Acknowledge that fears and ethical dilemmas are real. Create space for teachers to process uncertainty and focus on what they can control.

T — Transform Pedagogy Gradually
Celebrate small shifts in teaching that reflect deeper change. Encourage progress, not perfection. Keep attention on enduring pedagogical principles.

E — Equity & Access Advocacy
Notice who’s being left out and raise it. Advocate for sustainable access and learning opportunities so every student benefits from AI, not just some.=

Leading on the Edge of Change

The NAVIGATE Framework is both a map and a mindset.

AI will continue to evolve, but the work of human leadership remains the same: nurturing trust, curiosity, and shared purpose. As Margolis reminds us, complexity is something to lead thorugh

At Kinwise, we help schools and districts put frameworks like NAVIGATE into action. turning uncertainty into capacity and vision into practice.

➡️ Learn more about AI-Ready Teacher Leadership and the Kinwise Leadership Lab.

➡️ Read the abstract of Jason Margolis’s “Teacher Leadership on the Edge of Chaos” (Harvard Educational Review, 2020)