How I Became a CETL (With a Little Help From AI)
I did it—I became a Certified Education Technology Leader (CETL). For me, this wasn’t just another professional checkbox. After 15 years in the edtech world, it felt like the right moment to test myself, to prove that the vision, leadership, and strategy I’ve been pouring into schools really do align with the national standards for this work. What I didn’t realize at first was just how much of a journey the studying itself would become.
It started with a study group—an incredible group of colleagues who showed up week after week to learn together. We weren’t just running through the exam blueprint; we were sharing stories from the field, trading experiences, and laughing through the stress of it all. I can’t overstate how much I learned from those sessions, and how grateful I am for the people who were part of that community. It reminded me that leadership isn’t a solo sport—it’s about leaning on others, giving back, and growing together.
But eventually, it was time for me to sit down and face the exam prep solo. And here’s where things took a turn I honestly didn’t expect: I recruited ChatGPT as my study partner. Sounds funny, right? But here’s the thing—I didn’t just ask it to spit back definitions. I had it grill me with practice questions, reframe scenarios into “what would you do if you were the CTO” case studies, and even throw me curveballs just to see if I could think through them. I remember saying to myself, this is wild—an AI was helping me sharpen my leadership thinking for a certification exam that I absolutely did not want to fail (especially with the not-so-small financial cost attached).
In the end, signing into that exam room, I felt ready. Not because I had memorized a stack of flashcards, but because I had lived the content—through the wisdom of my study group and the relentless drills with my AI “coach.” Passing the CETL was an incredible relief, but more than that, it was a moment of affirmation. After 15 years in this field, I still love learning, I still love stretching myself, and I still believe this work matters deeply. And now, with the affirmation that I am recognized by COSN as ready to lead in the educational technology sphere, I feel more energized than ever to keep leading, keep innovating, and keep finding new ways—human and AI alike—to spark what’s next in education.