At the Learning Futures & Tech Media Meeting in Houston, TX, Dr. Kari Murphy, Chief Technology Officer for Deer Park Independent School District, offered an inspiring, instruction-centered perspective on the integration of artificial intelligence and educational technology. Speaking to a room of education and tech leaders, Dr. Murphy’s message was clear: while she may speak the language of “boxes and wires,” her heart—and her strategy—lies firmly in student learning.

Dr. Murphy began by grounding her presentation in the community context. “We’re in Deer Park and Pasadena,” she explained, “and we serve a student population that is 47.6% economically disadvantaged, with over 2,000 employees supporting the district.”

Her roots as a middle school teacher in Dickinson and Clear Creek ISDs continue to shape her leadership today. “Even though I may talk tech, my heart is with children. That’s where all decisions start.”

This philosophy was front and center when Deer Park ISD made a pivotal decision to go all-in on iPads for students. But the decision wasn’t led by the technology department—it was driven by instructional needs. “We didn’t even let tech staff vote,” Murphy shared with a laugh. “We chose what was best for curriculum.” The result has been a thriving Apple ecosystem that debunks common myths around iPads in education. “We do testing, we do everything. It works, and it works well.”

The district’s technology environment is intentionally diverse. “We call it One-to-X,” Murphy said, referring to students having access to multiple devices if needed. Teachers are issued iPads for instruction and also have desktop PCs, ensuring flexibility. “We’re multilingual in the world of technology,” she said proudly. “We’re not exclusive—we’re inclusive of tools that support learning.”

When ChatGPT burst onto the scene in late 2022, Deer Park ISD was quick to start asking the right questions. “We looked at our mission: preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s challenges. That meant we had to take AI seriously, and we had to be intentional about it.”

Dr. Murphy described a careful, phased approach to AI exploration, one that focused not just on hardware or hype, but on holistic readiness:

• Policy: What guardrails are necessary for safe and responsible use?
• Protection: How do we safeguard student data and ensure ethical usage?
• Environment: Is the technical infrastructure strong enough to support AI tools?
• Assets: Do we have the right tools in students’ and teachers’ hands?
• Climate: Are students and staff ready to adopt AI meaningfully?

“Climate is everything,” Dr. Murphy emphasized. “You can have all the tools in the world, but if your staff and students don’t understand how or why to use them, it won’t stick.” This sensitivity to cultural and instructional readiness has been a cornerstone of Deer Park’s AI journey.

One of the hallmarks of Deer Park ISD’s approach is what Dr. Murphy called “non-negotiables.” These are expectations embedded in the district’s DNA: that teachers teach with technology, that staff members use tech to streamline their roles, and that digital tools are not an afterthought—but a core part of how the district operates.

Technology isn’t optional in Deer Park. “It’s woven into everything we do,” Murphy said. “And that’s what makes our implementation sustainable.”

Dr. Murphy closed her presentation by reminding attendees that tech integration—especially AI—is not about jumping on trends. “This isn’t about being flashy. It’s about being relevant to our students’ futures.”

With a clear focus on instructional alignment, strategic infrastructure, and community readiness, Deer Park ISD offers a model for districts looking to implement AI in thoughtful, student-centered ways.

As the education landscape rapidly evolves, voices like Dr. Murphy’s provide the grounding and vision needed to move forward with both innovation and intention.

Tune in below for the full presentation.