Thursday, March 19, 2026

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General Session Keynote 

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Middle School: Now, More Than Ever, It's Time to Disturb the Universe!

Rick Wormeli

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This is a weird and uncertain time in our world, and who’s lining up to lead it with compassion, competence, and courage? Today’s middle schoolers! With all we know today about the direct impact of our lived experiences in early adolescence affecting how we handle things in our high school and adult lives,  as well as how middle schoolers are uniquely their own when it comes to learning, middle school educators have compelling opportunity and professional duty to provide the most constructive practices possible – and to find renewed calling and oxygen in the effort. Join us for an address that reminds us why middle school is a powerful moment in every individual’s personal development, and to wax, “Hamiltonian,” how it requires well-prepared and committed educators to be in the room where it happens. Like no other, this is our time for innovation, courage, and middle level teaching excellence, and  hoo-wee, this is our students’ time to forge the tools and foundations for disturbing the universe. Let’s get started!​​​

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Luncheon Session Keynote 

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The Motivated, Motivating Leader:

Inspiring Students, Colleagues, and Ourselves

Maureen Chapman and James Simons

 

In their book, Leaders of the Class, longtime educators Maureen Chapman and James Simons argue that leaders are motivated and motivating. Thus, by building a schoolwide culture of leadership for all, we support students and educators alike to connect with the motivation they need to engage in challenging, important work, to achieve their potential, and to experience enduring wellbeing in the process. Join Maureen and James for an energizing, interactive keynote full of inspiring stories, research-backed insights, and practical strategies that will help you, your colleagues, and your kids to become motivated and motivating leaders of the class. 

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Friday, March 20, 2026

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General Session Keynote 

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Doing What Matters -- For Us And For Young People

Cornelius Minor

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It has been well documented that the challenges that we face as educators are large ones. Almost every current study on wellness in the profession has revealed that the most impactful educators are not just concerned about learning. They are concerned about all of the things that amplify it -- well-being, belonging, safety.

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As educators, we are the ones that see the complexities in all of these things. We understand the urgency of this moment and what it takes to meet it, but this clarity is complicated by the frustrating pressures and expectations to “do it all”.

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We cannot. And we should not. It’s not healthy. We don’t exist in a “do all the things” ecosystem anymore. Truthfully, we never did. We can grow to be the ones who do the things that matter most.

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This truth is a hard one to accept. Especially for people like us -- the knowers, the chronic overachievers, the people pleasers.

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So how do we choose where to put our time, our talent, our energy? How do we say “no” to some things when school culture has groomed us to always say “yes” to all things? How do we build powerful practice out of the kinds of priorities that respect our lives and our calling as educators? How might we restore humanity in teaching and dignity in learning?

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We know so much, and the way forward STILL seems so uncertain. And we are all so tired…

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We know that we cannot raise a community of whole children if we do not engage in the professional practices that keep us whole as educators. What is good teaching in 2025? And how do we get there? Bigger still, how do we get there while remaining true to who we are AND true to the students that we teach?
 

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Luncheon Session Keynote 

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The Mentality

Dr. Timothy Allen

 

As a basketball coach, I spend 80% of my time building and sustaining my players’ mentality. I can’t control the ups and downs of the game—the adversity, the stress, or the missed shots—but I can help my players develop the mentality needed to push through and perform at their best.

 

The same is true for educators. Programs, parents, behaviors, initiatives, and stress are part of the job. What matters most is building a mentality that allows educators to push through and perform at their best.

 

In this keynote, we’ll explore the mentality that educators can create, nourish, and sustain—one that fuels both professional success and personal well-being. When educators strengthen their mentality, their students thrive right alongside them.

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