Kyler Zheng spent his summer working alongside the adults who keep Indian Hill Schools' technology running. By the end, his supervisor said the sophomore was teaching him.

Zheng, a 10th-grader at Indian Hill High School, completed a paid internship with the district's Innovation and Technology Department from late May through late June, according to the Indian Hill School District. The program paired him with director of innovation and technology Mark Richardson and the broader tech team, giving Zheng hands-on exposure to the devices, systems and infrastructure that support the district's schools.

The learning ran both directions. During the internship, Zheng introduced Richardson to artificial intelligence tools that could support the director's work. The district's board of education had adopted a formal AI policy just weeks earlier, at its April 21 meeting.

"One of my favorite parts of this experience was having Kyler teach me," Richardson said. "He showed me AI tools and ways of thinking about technology that gave me some new ideas for my own work. That is exactly what innovation should look like at Indian Hill; our students aren't just preparing for the future; they can help us think differently about what is possible right now."

Zheng said the internship let him work with equipment he wouldn't normally encounter. When asked what mattered most about the experience, he kept it simple: being able to help the team.

Richardson said Zheng came ready to learn and quickly proved willing to jump in and contribute. The director noted that the district's team benefits from the ideas and fresh perspective students bring, while students get to see how their interests translate into a professional environment.

The internship is part of a broader push at Indian Hill to connect students with professional experience. The district also runs the Entrepreneurs Center Experienceship Program, which was highlighted at the Jan. 13 board meeting with testimonials from four participating students. Indian Hill High School holds a STEM designation from the Ohio Department of Education.

The district has not announced whether the Innovation and Technology internship will be offered again or how students can apply. Zheng's advice to peers considering a similar opportunity: step outside your comfort zone.