New View EDU Episode 68: Technology Innovation in Independent Schools

Available March 25, 2025

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AI and other technological advances are moving at an almost incomprehensible speed, and schools have to adjust. Some are choosing to enact phone bans and efforts to make the school day as low-tech as possible. Others are adopting new technologies and trying to strike a comfortable balance. And some school leaders are embracing a vision of technological innovation as a cornerstone of their plans for the future. Jalaj Desai is one of those visionary heads of school, and in this episode of New View EDU, he joins NAIS President Debra P. Wilson to share how he’s using AI to transform Saddle River Day School (NJ).

Jalaj DesaiComing from a background in computer science, engineering, and education, Jalaj started his tenure at Saddle River during a time of transition and instability for the community. Immediately, he says, he convened the staff for a retreat to envision the path forward to a more robust and exciting future. Within just five years of his headship, they’ve been able to bring many of those plans to life: a Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, expanded honors and AP course offerings, business programs, honors gateway diplomas, advanced computer science coursework, and enhanced visual and performing arts programs. The results speak for themselves, with enrollment nearly double what it was when Jalaj joined the school.

But those changes are only the beginning of what he envisions for the future at Saddle River. Eighteen months ago, the school began working on a revolutionary AI integration across all facets of programming—teaching, learning, family communications, and even external partnerships. Recognizing that there would never be a single, already-developed AI solution to meet the needs of everyone in the school community, Jalaj decided to embark on creating a bespoke AI product for Saddle River. He hired a global innovation officer to undertake a feasibility study at the school, engaged in a deep feedback and design process with the community, and now has an AI integrator on staff, teaching computer science courses and working with students and teachers to integrate AI solutions into their daily lives.

Despite the complexities of creating a custom AI system for a school community, Jalaj insists that the key to success in this innovation effort and other enhancements he has brought to Saddle River is to keep things simple. “I say know your school, your community, and the students you want to attract. It's not about trying too hard, but making thoughtful, meaningful changes. … People sometimes try too hard for innovation, and they think they have to do these crazy things to innovate. No, no. Keep it simple, and you'll be successful.” He encourages leaders to focus not on failures, which he considers inevitable in the course of learning and trying new things, but to move on quickly from setbacks and build on successes. 

Key, too, to the success of a bold vision is listening to the community. Jalaj details his efforts to hear from students and staff on what they want and need from technological innovations as well as from other major enhancements, such as the design and use of a new state-of-the-art building on campus. He also shares how parent feedback has influenced the school’s plans for integrating the new AI tool into family communications. Listening and learning together, and taking the time to patiently step through each phase of an exciting idea rather than rushing ahead, have allowed innovation to thrive at Saddle River.

Key Questions

Some of the key questions Jalaj and Debra explore in this episode include:

  • What inspired all the innovations at Saddle River, and how have they impacted the school community?
  • How have you kept going in the face of challenges, from external difficulties like COVID to internal setbacks when plans haven’t worked as expected?
  • How has the school community responded to the introduction of AI as an embedded part of the culture? What obstacles have you had to overcome to help get everyone on board?
  • In addition to the new AI work, what other innovations—both technological and otherwise—are afoot at Saddle River? How did you arrive at those innovations, and how will they impact the school community?

Episode Highlights

  • “And that's the beauty of our school. We don't really worry about what did not work. We try different things. And if it doesn't work, it's OK and move on. We teach our kids the same exact thing. Don't get stuck up with what didn't work. We kind of evaluate the situation, see why it didn't work, and then simply move on.” (6:49)
  • “In that process, what I thought was the best thing that happened to the school is—forget the outcome—the learning our teachers and administrators did about the AI was so critical in terms of understanding what AI is. What can it do for our community? What are the limitations we have? How do we go forward in terms of implementing this? So we slowed down a bit, because I thought that we were going a bit too fast on that one. And teachers need time because we still have to remember teachers still have to teach and do all the amazing things they do.” (11:52)
  • “We are still a typical independent school. Our teachers are still human beings and they love what they do. They love to teach. So when there is a doubt, it's because they want to make sure that what we're doing is right by the kids and by them, right? … But we are determined to, as a school, to do this. AI is here to stay. So sooner we get on board, as a whole community, as a whole faculty, it's much better for all our kids.” (18:59)
  • “Some dreams you let go, right? In terms of because it doesn't work out, there are clear signals to do that. Some dreams you keep going because it's going to take time. It's going to, you’ve got to be patient. You need to go through a lot of stuff, especially when a school is going through so many different cool things and changes. You just have to make sure your resources are divided correctly.” (26:04)

Resource List

Full Transcript

  • Read the full transcript here.

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About Our Guest

Jalaj Desai is the head of Saddle River Day School (NJ). He holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering and two master’s degrees; one in computer science and one in educational leadership. He began his teaching career at Dwight-Englewood School (NJ), where he taught upper school math classes, advised a financial and consulting club, and coached soccer and tennis. Prior to joining Saddle River, he was the head of the math department and Director of the Business and Entrepreneurship Program at Rutgers Preparatory School (NJ).