Mr. Shawn Petty

Shawn Petty, Chief Innovation Officer at STEMfinity, is a national leader in instructional design, informal learning, and educational technology strategy. With over 20 years of experience in curriculum development, federal technical assistance, and organizational change, Shawn partners with state agencies, school districts, and nonprofit organizations to design innovative, scalable solutions that transform learning systems. At STEMfinity, he leads the organization’s innovation, professional development, and artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives, supporting districts nationwide in implementing forward-thinking strategies that expand access and drive equity through innovation. Shawn is a sought-after keynote speaker and national trainer known for designing gamified professional development, immersive learning environments, and human-centered instructional tools that resonate with educators and leaders alike. His practical, engaging approach empowers teams to embrace emerging technologies while staying grounded in proven learning science. He is currently a doctoral candidate in Instructional Design and Technology at Sam Houston State University, where his research centers on AI integration in K–12 education systems. Shawn’s work is driven by a passion for equity, a strategic vision for education’s future, and a deep belief in the power of technology to reimagine how we teach, learn, and lead.