Aaron Magnan, Ed.D.K-12 educator and content creator
I have spent 20 years in public schools as a teacher, a principal, and now a district leader. As Senior Director of Leadership and Learning at Chula Vista Elementary School District, I design and lead professional learning across 43 schools.
My research and my work focus on how schools turn good ideas into everyday practice. I also build apps and produce their promotional videos. For EdTech companies, I consult on go-to-market strategy and district procurement.
Work samples
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Educator guide, draft
Using AI at Our School: A Guide for Staff
A guide for elementary school staff, written to go with the district's draft board policy on AI, also shown here. It covers approved tools, parent consent, student privacy, and AI use on assignments.
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Professional learning
Google Classroom Essentials teacher training, June 2026
Slides and a handout for a two-day training for district teachers. Teachers set up a working Google Classroom first, reviewed each other's setups in timed rounds, and revised. They then built materials for their own grade level and shared them with other teams. The routine is adapted from Cultures of Thinking. I made the illustrations with AI and edited them to match the slides and handout.
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Framework
The AI Engagement Ladder for TK-6
A diagram showing which levels of AI use fit each elementary grade band, TK through 6th grade. It is based on my AI Engagement Ladder framework.
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Video
Short product videos, 2025 to 2026
Three promotional videos for a travel app and a software studio. Each runs under 20 seconds. I wrote, designed, and animated them using AI tools and standard editing software.
Travely group trip Travely how it's built MBYB how we build apps -
Policy, draft
Board Policy on Artificial Intelligence in Instruction
Drafted for a 43-school district serving 23,000 students. Covers approved tools, parental consent, student data protection, academic honesty, and prohibited uses.
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Research
Implementation Driven Site Planning: Program Evaluation
Ed.D. dissertation, San Diego State University, 2024. Chair: Douglas Fisher. An 18-month evaluation of the quarterly planning cycles I designed and led as a principal. ELA and math scores rose, suspensions and chronic absenteeism dropped, 15 of 18 teachers surveyed reported positive change, and the school ranked in the top 17% of California schools.
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Books
Four Books for Educators
Published through my company, Zenith Schools, and available on Amazon.
Preparing for the Principal InterviewIntention: Principal, Book 1Mastering the Principal InterviewIntention: Principal, Book 2Elements of ImplementationFor school leaders and their teamsElite Teaching StrategiesFor new and experienced teachers -
Audio
The Zenith Schools Podcast, 2019
A podcast for school leaders with more than 200 listeners per episode. It brought in my first consulting clients. In episode 001, high school teacher Cyndi Roncoroni explains how she runs six student clubs.
