About Educator Intelligence

Educator Intelligence is where schools go to take control of AI before AI takes control of them. Created by Matthew Esterman, founder of The Next Word, in partnership with ClassCover, it is a membership community that turns scattered curiosity into coordinated capability, helping educators build professional judgement and shared direction so the whole profession moves forward together.

In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, artificial intelligence is no longer just a futuristic concept, it’s a transformative tool that’s reshaping classrooms and redefining teaching. But for many educators, the challenge isn’t understanding why AI matters; it’s knowing how to make it work in a practical, meaningful way for their students and themselves.

That’s where Educator Intelligence comes in. We’re not just about professional learning: we’re about professional empowerment.

Educator Intelligence delivers engaging, hands-on, and effective training that equips teachers with the skills, confidence, and mindset to integrate AI tools into their practice seamlessly. From our AI First Aid missions through to diverse and creative applications of AI, Educator Intelligence will help everyone in schools get to their next level with AI.

Who is behind it?

Matthew Esterman

The Next Word
Matthew Esterman is an educator, former school leader and AI strategist working at the intersection of teaching, leadership and emerging technology. Through his consultancy The Next Word, he works with schools, leadership teams and education systems across Australia to help them navigate the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence.

Matt’s work spans curriculum design, assessment reform, leadership development and AI governance. He collaborates with schools, universities and professional associations to help educators move beyond reactive conversations about AI and build the capability needed to use it responsibly.

Educator Intelligence was co-created by Matthew Esterman and ClassCover to address a challenge emerging across schools: while educators recognise that AI matters, most schools lack a structured way to build capability together. The initiative brings governance, classroom practice and leadership thinking into the same conversation, helping schools move from uncertainty to confident, coordinated action.

Matt’s philosophy is simple: AI should enhance professional judgement, not replace it.

ClassCover & ClassCover Learn

ClassCover | Classcover learn
ClassCover is one of Australia’s leading education technology platforms, supporting schools and educators across the country. The platform connects schools with casual staff, helps manage workforce availability, and enables schools to fill absences quickly and efficiently.

Today, ClassCover supports Australia’s largest network of educators, with platform adoption across government, Catholic and independent sectors. ClassCover also holds statewide workforce management contracts with the Queensland Department of Education, NSW Department of Education and South Australian Department for Education, helping thousands of schools manage staffing and operational continuity.

Through ClassCover Learn, the organisation expands into professional learning, providing accessible online courses and resources for educators seeking practical, classroom-relevant development.

Educator Intelligence builds on this work by extending ClassCover’s role in supporting the profession, bringing together research, professional learning and strategic insight to help schools build whole-school capability in artificial intelligence.

Frequently asked questions

How do course “waves” work?

Courses are released in waves throughout the year as the AI landscape evolves.

When you join, you receive access to the full library of courses available at that time, along with any new courses released during your access period. Each year the program expands with new topics, tools and perspectives reflecting changes in technology, classroom practice and policy.

What’s the difference between Individual access and School licences?

Individual membership is a yearly subscription designed for educators purchasing access independently.

School licences allow schools to purchase access for multiple staff members at a discounted per-seat rate. Each staff member receives their own account and can complete courses and earn certificates individually.

How do School licences work?

School licences are purchased in blocks of 10 seats, with a minimum purchase of 10 licences.

Each licence provides one staff member with full access to the Educator Intelligence program.

School licences are purchased as a one-year access licence rather than an automatically renewing subscription, allowing schools to review and renew access each year if they wish.

Are the courses aligned to Australian teaching standards?

Yes. Courses are designed with reference to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) and include guidance on how learning connects to professional practice.

Where relevant, courses also reference policy, governance and responsible AI use within Australian education contexts.

Who is Educator Intelligence designed for?

Educator Intelligence is designed for educators across the school system, including:
  • Classroom teachers
  • School leaders and executive staff
  • Instructional leaders and curriculum specialists School administrators
  • Casual and relief teachers
  • Content spans early childhood, primary and secondary education.


While not every course is intended for every role, the program includes learning designed for different professional contexts across schools.

Do I need to be technical to take these courses?

No. The program is designed for educators, not technologists. Courses focus on practical understanding, classroom applications and responsible implementation rather than coding or technical development.

Who created Educator Intelligence?

Educator Intelligence is developed by Matthew Esterman, founder of The Next Word, in partnership with ClassCover and ClassCover Learn, supporting thousands of schools and educators across Australia.

Is this focused on classroom use or school leadership?

Both. The program includes content for classroom practice as well as courses addressing leadership, governance, policy and whole-school AI capability.

Become a Founding Member

Join the first cohort of educators building AI capability in Australian schools. 40% off for founding members is only available in Term 2, 2026 at launch.