2025 NLC Pedagogy Conference

Dr. John LaPete
Political Science Professor at Palo Alto College

Dr. John LaPete is a political science professor at Palo Alto College who helps educators and students make sense of AI without the hype. This work focuses on how AI tools can support teaching without replacing the human connection that makes learning meaningful. John is developing ways to boost AI literacy in his students, helping them engage with these tools critically and responsibly. John also works with faculty to explore practical, ethical ways to use AI in the classroom while keeping the focus on what really matters—helping students think deeply, challenge ideas, and navigate the world beyond college.

Mr. Jose Gomez joined the English and Education department back in 2010, and he almost immediately became a fixture of the department and the college. He was instrumental in helping us with our very first pedagogy conference in 2010, and he helped shape and support the conference for the next ten years. His smile and kind demeanor made every day at work a better day, and we miss him greatly. As Captain Kirk said of Mr. Spock at the end of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan: “Of all the souls I have encountered in my travels, his was the most … human.”