One of the perks of being a Google Certified Trainer is the opportunity to attend special events sponsored by Google. The most recent event was the 2025 Google Champions Symposium hosted at the Google offices in Chicago.

What is a Google Champion?

A Google Champion is any Educator who has earned one of Google’s specialized certifications: Trainer, Coach, Innovator. These three programs collectively combine to become the champion program.

Some of the perks of being a Google champion include access the Champions Hub, early access to new features and products, increased access to the Google for Education team, and the opportunity to attend special events at conferences like ISTE and BET as well as longer events like the Champion Symposium.

What happens at the symposium?

The Champion Symposium is a three-day event hosted by Google that features networking, exploring Google products, and providing feedback to Google’s education team.

I attended the first symposium in Sunnyvale, CA in 2023 and was excited to attend this year’s event in Chicago.

This year’s symposium featured a HEAVY dose of AI with deep dives into NotebookLM, Gemini, and many new AI-powered features for teachers and students.

While all of the attendees share a common interest in Google and technology in general, the primary focus of the symposium is human-to-human interaction. We heard the personal stories and journeys of several Champions during the “champion voices” segment, got to interact with members of the Google for Education team and spent a LOT of time talking and networking over some great Google food!

Related Podcst Episode: Google Champion Symposium Recap (WSG Liz Voci)

AI is here…like it or not 😐

This year’s symposium was dominated by discussion and exploration of AI tools like Gemini, Veo, and NotebookLM. I was able to see some live demos of upcoming features like Class Tools and Gems and NotebookLM for Google Classroom. I was also able to get an early glimpse of some tools that are still under development.

As a former MS and HS teacher and the father of five myself, I have concerns about providing young students with access to powerful AI tools like Gemini. While there is tremendous potential for these tools, there is equal opportunity for misuse and abuse.

I believe that classroom teachers are best-positioned to provide essential oversight to help students use AI safely. I’m very eager to see how companies like Google partner with teachers to build tools that are safe for students.

One of my personal goals for this event was to learn about Google’s approach to AI safety for students and how Google will empower TEACHERS to make informed decisions about how AI is being used in the classroom.

I had several conversations with Google employees, participated in round table discussions, and sat in several UX sessions to give feedback on various AI integrations. Google is very passionate about integrating AI into all of their products and acknowledges the importance of AI safety, however there are currently no oversight controls designed for teachers.

Today, most of the AI safety and oversight capabilities are either built into the product by Google or available at a very high level for IT administrators. If a classroom teacher does decide to introduce students to Gemini or NotebookLM, there is virtually no visibility into HOW students are using these resources. This is something that is concerning to me and I hope will improve in the very near future.

It has been my personal conviction that teachers, not technology, are the most important resource in the classroom. I will always advocate for teachers to be able to manage and facilitate their classroom as they see fit.

AI is cool, but people are better!

For me, the highlight of the Champion symposium was the ability to have informal conversations with some awesome people.

I skipped a session (no regrets!) to chat with Dr. Tyler Tarver about creating YouTube videos (we got in trouble for being too loud!).

Liz Voci and I had a long conversation about building courses and finding funding for AI training during our evening dinner cruise from Navy Pier. I also sat down with Liz after the symposium to share our experience on the Chromebook Classroom Podcast.

Fellow Michigan educator Shana Ramin and I were able to chat about creating resources for TPT and Canva. Even though we live in the same state, events like this are one of the few times we have an opportunity to connect and chat.

The ability to “talk shop” with fellow educators is my favorite aspect of the trainer symposium. Technology is cool, but only because it helps us connect with one another and build relationships.

YOU can become a Google Champion!

The Google Champions Symposium takes place every-other-year, which means you have time to become a champion before the 2027 symposium!

Next summer Google will host the Innovator Academy, inducting a new batch of educators into the Champion group. The dates and locations for the 2026 Innovator Academies are typically announced in January / February. Join this email list to be notified when applications open.

Another way you can become a champion is by becoming a Google Certified Trainer. This program is open year round and is available to anyone who helps other adults to use Google products like Classroom, Drive, and Gemini. In order to become a Google Trainer you will need to earn your L1 and L2 certifications and complete a trainer application.

This fall I will be facilitating the Google Trainer Academy, a LIVE virtual event that will help you assemble your trainer application. Registration is open! I only offer the trainer academy once per year. If you are ready to become a Google Champion, join me!

The Google Champion community is an exceptional group of talented educators. Being able to “rub shoulders” with these individuals is worth the work and effort required to become a Google Champion.

Don’t miss out!

My monthly email newsletter, the Google EDU Update, will keep you up to date and informed on the latest “Google News.” Don’t miss out on the opportunity to attend the 2027 Champions Symposium!