Eighteen Okaloosa County educators recently completed Florida State University’s InSPIRE teacher certification program, gaining new skills in artificial intelligence prompt engineering and robotics integration for their classrooms.

• The week-long professional learning experience was hosted by FSU’s InSPIRE, which stands for Institute for Strategic Partnerships, Innovation, Research & Education.

The program equipped teachers with tools and knowledge to create future-ready learning environments through partnerships with Microsoft, MantisEdu, and Sciberus.

“Empowering our teachers to embrace innovation is essential to preparing students for the careers of tomorrow,” said Superintendent Marcus Chambers. “Through the FSU InSPIRE program, our educators are gaining new strategies and technologies to spark curiosity and creativity in their classrooms.”

During the 35-hour course, teachers received personalized mentoring, access to a standards-aligned curriculum, and networking opportunities with regional STEM leaders. Participants earned industry-recognized certifications and gained hands-on experience with cutting-edge instructional technologies.

• The program is designed and facilitated by experts at FSU’s Learning Systems Institute, home to the Florida Center for Research in STEM and a recognized leader in STEM development and teacher support.

FSU InSPIRE’s work across Northwest Florida represents a long-standing effort spanning over a decade to support teacher growth, student achievement, and workforce readiness in the region.

The initiative was initially funded by Triumph Gulf Coast and remains a vital investment in the future of education and the local economy.