Lamar Consolidated Independent School District (LCISD) recently upgraded its security with a new high-tech addition: weapons detection systems from Athena Security, an Austin company at the forefront of security technology. With campus safety as a priority, LCISD Police Chief Henry García decided to deploy 24 of Athena's systems across LCISD to search for hidden weapons in school entrances.
“It's a force multiplier,” says Chief Garcia. “It puts us in a position to see and detect things that we cannot see with the naked eye.” Since school shootings are a common concern for students, parents and staff, Athena's system provides a second set of eyes to catch things that law enforcement might miss, including people trying to elude the system.
Unlike most metal detectors, Athena's system includes ai-powered evasion detection that can detect people moving through the system and not passing through the detector. Even if the officer looks away for a second, the evasion detection feature will notice and activate an audible and visual alert.
Chris Ciabarra, CTO and co-founder of Athena, believes this could be a game-changer for schools, airports and hospitals. He explains that Athena's weapons detection system not only detects more threats than traditional metal detectors, but also places more controls around the process to ensure security is not compromised.
“Evasion detection is just a control that helps security agents protect themselves,” says Ciabarra. “We also have other Homeland Security best practices built into the product to help officers keep weapons off premises.” Its objective is not only to detect weapons, but to detect any threat that is lurking in the system. AND Athena Weapon Detection System integrates lidar, camera, proprietary ai, and optional thermal cameras to do just that.
To some, this may seem like a surprisingly high-tech solution to a systemic problem. But for LCISD Chief Henry Garcia, part of being effective in law enforcement is adopting effective technology. Athena's Weapons Detection System provided an answer to a very real problem her schools were facing, which is why she deployed two dozen of them. Athena Security's low-profile system does not intimidate students and allows a constant flow of people into the school, while effectively detecting weapons and ensuring security cannot be bypassed. technology may seem futuristic, but sometimes that's what it takes to build a safer future.
Diversity Recruitment Partners recently announced the launch of its comprehensive ai-powered platform, designed to close the gap between qualified educators from schools of diverse and bilingual backgrounds. With a job board, a virtual career fair and an interview portal with job search among candidates powered by artificial intelligence, this innovative platform transforms recruiting for educational institutions across the country, ensuring the alignment of values, skills and objectives to long term.
“Teacher turnover has a significant impact on both student success and the stability of school environments,” said Trina Edwards, CEO of Diversity Recruitment Partners. “Our new platform helps build teams of engaged educators while giving schools access to a pipeline of talent dedicated to making lasting impact.”
In addition to the platform, Diversity Recruitment Partners is introducing its Workshop series to level upa professional development program designed to help educators advance their careers. Held in October, the series focuses on essential skills such as job selection, interview preparation and salary negotiation, all vital to navigating the competitive job market. More than 400 participants attended, including Curtis Valentine, founder of Real men teach and co-host and moderator of the series, along with twelve experts such as Dr. William Hayes, Dr. Charlene Dukes, Dr. Lisa Herring, and Dr. Rudy Ruiz, offering invaluable guidance to help educators thrive.
This initiative aligns with Diversity in Ed magazine's mission to encourage retention and reduce turnover. In the fall 2024 edition https://diversityined.uberflip.com/i/1529058-diversity-in-ed-magazine-fall-issue-2024/0? Readers will find articles on strategic hiring, smart use of ai in hiring, and a special superintendent's watch list highlighting districts that excel in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), like Rocketship Public Schools and ISD from Allentown.
Join us in the next Virtual Education Career Fair on December 5where schools and diverse candidates can connect directly. For more information, visit https://k-12.careerfairexpo.com or contact [email protected].
KOBI, an innovative ai-powered reading app designed for children with dyslexia, was officially launched during the 75th Annual Conference of the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) held October 22-26 in Dallas, Texas. Recognized worldwide, KOBI recently won the OpenAI Learning Impact Award and the Tool contest award, which makes its debut in the US with the goal of transforming the practice of reading to make it accessible, engaging and stress-free, while engaging parents and educators in the learning process.
KOBI provides an adaptive reading environment that complements structured literacy programs. Using narration and specific reading prompts, the app encourages manageable practice sessions that build confidence and fluency. Advanced voice recognition offers immediate and friendly feedback, helping kids improve accuracy without fear of judgment. Customizable text settings allow children to tailor their reading experience, strengthening memory and independence.
“Our goal with KOBI is to create a safe and enjoyable space for children to practice reading, addressing the unique needs of dyslexic students,” she said Ursula LavrencicCo-founder and Chief Learning Engineer. “By engaging parents and reducing reading anxiety, KOBI empowers children on their path to reading fluency.”
Following its success in Slovenia as the official reading app for K-4 students, KOBI is now expanding to the US. The awards from OpenAI and Tools Competition underscore KOBI's potential as a scalable, impactful tool that aligns with Best practice in dyslexia support.
“The launch of KOBI in the United States is an important step forward in making reading support accessible and engaging for children with dyslexia,” Lavrencic added. “We are excited to share this innovative approach with a broader audience.”
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