Dexter Community Schools take on Artificial Intelligence

It seems wherever you turn nowadays the topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI) pops up as it takes its place in different aspects of life. Whether used on social media, at work or in the classroom, AI is here and will continue to grow, so what now.

With this have come some questions, such as, what does it all mean, how should it be used and what might be the impact, good and bad.

Is it a scenario of just getting on board and figuring it out, or don’t. Looking at it locally, one of the first places to think about AI and how it will play out is in the schools and their classrooms, where the younger generations are beginning to use it as part of their daily learning process.

To learn more, the Sun Times News (STN) took a close up look with one school district to see how they are working with it. In Dexter Community Schools (DCS), the school district took a very unique and specific approach by putting in place its own custom-built AI tool designed specifically for its students made by DCS staff.

Unlike traditional AI tools, DCS’s system operates entirely within the district’s secure server, ensuring student privacy and data protection. It is not connected to the internet, allowing the district to maintain strict safeguards that prevent access to inappropriate content while providing a safe, supportive learning environment. 

STN connected with DCS, who gave their AI story. Here it is in their words:

Dexter Community Schools
Navigating the Artificial Intelligence horizon with deliberate measures to foster ingenuity and growth 

Two years ago, Dexter Community Schools began its AI journey by developing a locally controlled system called DeeDee. Led by Lead Web Technician Matt Bell, with tech specialists Dalton Feitzer and Sarah Vanderyt, the system is housed within the district’s network, providing a secure space for staff and students to explore AI.

Working with Ryan Bruder and the technology department, Instructional Support Coach Beau Kimmey has helped guide how AI is used in the classroom. Instruction focuses on supporting learning and sets clear expectations for responsible use. This combination of secure access and thoughtful guidelines is helping build trust as AI becomes part of everyday learning.

There are currently no fixed pathways for AI education. Dexter has taken a structured yet flexible approach, which encourages responsible exploration and keeps student learning as the focus. As a result, AI is increasingly used to support idea generation, problem-solving, and deeper engagement.

As the district’s work has progressed, applications have expanded beyond initial expectations. Staff and students use AI to analyze local data, provide timely feedback on instructional practices and district initiatives, and reduce time spent on administrative tasks. This frees educators to focus more on meaningful learning experiences. One key outcome has been the development of locally designed solutions, as staff and students move beyond relying on external tools to create applications tailored to their specific needs, which empowers them to both identify challenges and build effective solutions.

Locally, tools have been developed to assist with scheduling and instructional feedback, demonstrating how AI can address practical, day-to-day needs within the district.

This work is also gaining attention beyond Dexter. Recently, Ryan Bruder, Matt Bell, and Beau Kimmey presented at the Eastern Michigan University AI Conference, sharing how a locally developed, guideline-driven approach can support safe and meaningful innovation in schools.

In practice, the district’s approach is beginning to translate into meaningful changes in classrooms. Perhaps nowhere is this more evident than in how teachers are using AI to design engaging, student-centered learning experiences.

Teacher Practice and AI Application: Building Engaging Experiences for Students

Ryan Baese, a 9th grade U.S. History teacher at Dexter Community Schools with more than 20 years of experience, offers a clear example of how educators can use AI to enhance learning. Tasks such as building interactive simulations, which were once limited to professional developers are now accessible to classroom teachers.

Using AI tools, Mr. Baese has developed a growing library of custom, curriculum-aligned applications. These include a multiplayer pre–World War I diplomacy simulation, The North, where students assume the roles of nations managing resources and alliances, as well as a historical stock market simulation set in the 1870s and a Manhattan Project decision-making experience that explores ethical questions in wartime science.

These aren’t traditional assignments moved online. They are immersive experiences that put students at the center. Students engage in critical thinking, collaboration, and decision making while interacting directly with historical concepts, often continuing discussions beyond class as they revisit scenarios and reflect on how their choices shaped outcomes. In many cases, the level of engagement extends beyond the classroom itself. Students continue discussing strategies, outcomes, and decisions with peers outside of class, revisiting scenarios, and reflecting on how their choices shaped the results. The learning experience becomes something they carry with them, rather than something confined to a single class period.

What makes this work especially notable is its accessibility. Mr. Baese is not a computer scientist, but an experienced educator. AI has reduced the technical barriers that once limited what teachers could create, allowing them to design tools that are closely aligned to their students’ needs and learning goals.

The result is highly engaging, customized learning. Students think deeply, analyze information, and make meaningful connections—often with engagement that extends beyond traditional methods. Many are also becoming curious about how these tools are built, exploring how AI can support their own ideas, and shifting from consumers to creators.

Mr. Baese’s work reflects a broader shift in education: AI is not replacing teacher creativity—it’s amplifying it. The expertise and relationships at the core of effective teaching remain central, while AI helps bring ideas to life and opens new pathways for engagement, collaboration, and connection.

Conclusion

As Dexter Community Schools continues exploring artificial intelligence in education, the district remains grounded in its core priorities: student learning, staff empowerment, and community trust. Its approach balances innovation with a strong focus on safety, purpose, and transparency.

By investing in a locally developed system, setting clear guidelines, and supporting practical classroom use, Dexter is building a thoughtful, forward-looking model. While the work continues and the technology evolves, the district’s commitment remains steady.

In Dexter, AI isn’t adopted for its own sake—it’s intentionally integrated to support teaching and learning, deepen student engagement, empower innovation, and help prepare students for a future where these tools will play an important role.

Dexter Community Schools will host a community event, “DCS Community Conversation: AI in Schools,” on Tuesday, April 21, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Dexter High School Media Center. The session is open to families and community members and will provide an opportunity to learn more about the district’s work, ask questions, and engage in discussion about the role of AI in education.

Photo: Dexter Community Schools has developed its own AI. Photo: DCS.