Ali Shama, the founder of EONS Education, is a distinguished educator, marking his journey through 27 years of dedicated service in New York City public schools. His career encompasses a rich tapestry of roles, including that of a teacher, principal of New York City’s second-largest high school, District Superintendent, and President of Virtual Enterprises International. Ali is celebrated for pioneering efforts in integrating sophisticated technology into the educational framework, transforming schools into hubs where students learn foundational technology skills and thrive in environments that foster creative and critical thinking.

His approach emphasizes collaboration among peers and effective communication, all directed toward nurturing lifelong learners and future leaders. Over the past year, Ali has delved into the world of Artificial Intelligence, specifically following the launch of Open AI’s ChatGPT. This endeavor reflects his continuous pursuit of understanding how AI can revolutionize business and its potential implications for our children.

Ali’s journey in the technology education sphere began in 1996 at Lehman High School in the Bronx, where he taught web design and HTML coding in the early days of the internet. After leaving teaching to start a dot com venture, he returned to education with a renewed focus on career-connected learning and technology education. His vision led to developing career and technical education (CTE) pathways in diverse fields such as video production, music production, desktop publishing, web design, entrepreneurship, law, computer science, and engineering. These pathways provided students with numerous avenues for self-expression while equipping them with essential technology and soft skills vital for the 21st century.

Today, Ali identifies AI, particularly Generative AI, as a critical area of exploration for school leaders. He advocates for an urgent need to engage with this field, believing it to be integral in shaping future educational strategies. His leadership and foresight inspire educational communities to embrace technological advancements and prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of the coming years.

Ali was named a Cahn Fellow in 2012 and created this video and presentation highlighting practices during his time as principal of Francis Lewis High School in Queens, NY.

Senior portfolios process: Cahn Fellowship presentation