By Lance Gibbon
Storytelling isn’t just a tool—it’s at the heart of education. Whether we’re sharing the struggles and triumphs of history, shaping public perception of our schools, or empowering students to tell their own stories, the narratives we create have the power to inspire, inform, and ignite change.
Day 2 of the National Conference on Education reinforced this truth in a big way. From Dr. Freeman Hrabowski’s powerful keynote on reclaiming the story of public education to conversations about controlling our district’s narrative, and even a glimpse into the future of AI-driven storytelling with Colin Kaepernick, one message stood out: If we don’t tell our own stories, someone else will.
In a time when misinformation spreads quickly, public education is under scrutiny, and students are growing up in a digital world, effective storytelling isn’t optional—it’s essential. Here’s what I took away from today’s sessions about the power of owning, shaping, and sharing the stories that define us.
Reclaiming the Story of Public Education: Lessons from Dr. Freeman Hrabowski
This morning, I had the privilege of hearing Dr. Freeman Hrabowski’s keynote, and his message hit home: storytelling isn’t just about history—it shapes the future.
He shared his own story of marching as a child in Birmingham, being jailed, and facing the brutal reality of the Civil Rights Movement. Even as a young boy, he realized the power of standing up for education and equality. He made the case that public education is at a crossroads, and we, as educators, must reclaim its narrative. If we don’t tell the story of why public education matters, others will—often with a very different agenda.
One moment stuck with me—when a South Korean student recently asked him if he still thinks going to jail was worth it, seeing where America is today. His answer? Absolutely. He believes in America now more than ever—not because it's perfect, but because we have the ability to make it better. That belief in progress, in education as the great equalizer, is what we need to carry forward.
His challenge to us: What stories are we telling about public education? And, more importantly, are we ensuring every student has a story of success? It’s a reminder that our work isn’t just about teaching—it’s about shaping the future.
Owning the Narrative: The Role of Districts in Storytelling
As a small-district superintendent without a communications team, I wear many hats—including chief storyteller. A key takeaway from today’s panel on Tackling Misinformation and Fake News in Public Education was clear: If we don’t control our narrative, someone else will—and they may not get it right.
Misinformation spreads fast, but we can train our communities to rely on trusted sources like the district website, emails, and verified accounts. One phrase stuck with me: “We’ll go as fast as we can, but as slow as we must to ensure accuracy.” That balance is something we strive for daily.
It was reassuring to hear that other districts—large and small—use strategies I’ve already embraced, like flooding social media with positive news and helping students navigate media literacy. Having a clear crisis plan was also emphasized, ensuring quick, coordinated responses and strong partnerships with law enforcement.
Hearing from fellow leaders reinforced that while we may not have big teams, transparency, consistency, and proactive storytelling go a long way. At the end of the day, trust is our most valuable currency, and I’m committed to strengthening it—one story at a time.
AI, Storytelling, and the Future of Education with Colin Kaepernick
Today, I also attended a powerful session on AI-driven storytelling—and had the pleasure of meeting the presenter, Colin Kaepernick, at an event last night. Colin spoke about the power of storytelling in education and introduced Lumi, an AI platform that helps students create and publish their own work while supporting teachers with seamless AI integration.
A leader on and off the field, Colin has built a legacy beyond football—founding Know Your Rights Camp, launching Kaepernick Publishing, writing bestselling children’s books, and now pioneering AI-powered storytelling with Lumi.
Schools using Lumi are seeing big results, especially with bilingual and special education students. One student even used AI storytelling to explain the laws of physics through a food fight—a creative way to make learning stick.
The bigger picture? Seventy-five percent of employers now seek AI skills. Are our schools keeping up? Instead of fearing AI, we should embrace it as a tool to spark creativity, personalize learning, and prepare students for the future.
The bottom line is that our students should be creators, not just consumers—and AI can help make that happen. That's a story worth telling!
About Dr. Lance Gibbon
Dr. Lance Gibbon has dedicated over 30 years to serving students, educators, and families across Washington State. As the superintendent of Hood Canal School District, he is committed to creating positive, welcoming learning environments where all students can thrive. His leadership has been recognized with numerous awards, including honors from the Washington School Public Relations Association, Best of Whidbey, and EarthGen (formerly Washington Green Schools).
