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Welcome Deeper Learners!

This digital program is for all things DL2026! Session selection is LIVEOnly registered attendees will be able to select sessions starting March 3rd. Click this link to REGISTER.

You will need to select one Workshop Round 1 or Den Talk [for Day 1], one Deep Dive session [for Day 2], and one Workshop Round 2 or Den Talk [for Day 3]. These sessions have capacity limits and will fill up.

For an overview of the event and session types, campus map and frequently asked questions, check out the event info page here.

We can’t wait to see you!

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Monday, March 30
 

4:30pm PDT

A Way to Shift from Surviving to Thriving
Monday March 30, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
In this session geared toward school leaders and teachers, you will experience an innovative peer-coaching practice that has proven to connect educators, address burnout, and turbo-charge communities in schools across the U.S.

In this 90-minute session, educators will experience Forum — a peer-to-peer coaching practice that supports well-being, deepens trust, and empowers educators to proactively address their own needs. Come learn how this coaching practice has transformed an East Coast school’s community, and leave with practical resources to bring back to your own staff.
Speakers
avatar for DDS Dobson-Smith

DDS Dobson-Smith

Associate Head of School: Academics, Ridgefield Academy
avatar for Jeff Snipes

Jeff Snipes

Founder, Millennium School
Monday March 30, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
High Tech Middle 116

4:30pm PDT

Activating the Third Teacher to Enhance Learning
Monday March 30, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
Physical, temporal, and technological contexts of schooling constitute the "third teacher" in education. Too often, these environments work against our learning goals. Authentic learning doesn’t respect the constraints of classroom walls. Community learning experiences get stymied by bureaucracy. Collaboration collides with regimented teacher and student schedules. Efforts to design active learning within traditional school structures face constraints of time, space, and technology. In this interactive workshop for teachers and school leaders, participants will explore creative strategies to break down these barriers. Drawing on XQ Design Principles and inspired by student testimonials and artifacts of learning, we engage in an intensive design process to uncover opportunities to adapt even the most rigid learning environment. Participants will leave with a plan to create space for innovation in any school.
Speakers
avatar for Ben Hoff

Ben Hoff

Science Teacher, Grand Rapids Public Schools
avatar for Christopher Hanks

Christopher Hanks

POSA- Innovation Design, Grand Rapids Public Schools
avatar for Edward Montalvo

Edward Montalvo

Director of Field Learning, XQ Institute
Edward Montalvo is the Director of the Educator Network at the XQ Institute, overseeing XQ’s Community of Practice and educator engagement strategy. He writes about education and its intersection with AI and authors the XQ Xtra newsletter. He is based in Washington, DC.
TH

Tamika Henry

Principal, Grand Rapids Public Schools
Monday March 30, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
High Tech Middle 109

4:30pm PDT

Authentic Community Service: When Students Identify and Lead the Way
Monday March 30, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
Students and community service – passengers or drivers? Shift the mindset from "have to" to "want to" by empowering students as architects of change. This interactive session provides a proven framework for to having students identify needs, create plans, secure seed funding and mentor student-designed initiatives. Through real-world case studies and collaborative planning, you will gain practical strategies and a concrete roadmap to launch student-led service projects in your own community.
Speakers
avatar for Erin Gilbert

Erin Gilbert

Instructional Coach, Gifted Education Facilitator, International Baccalaureate Coordinator, Mesa Middle School
With over two decades of experience in special education and instructional leadership, Erin Gilbert brings a wealth of expertise to the field of professional development. She has held diverse roles, including Director of Professional Development at Johns Hopkins University’s National... Read More →
avatar for Liliana McVey

Liliana McVey

Education Program Specialist, Global Doing Good
Hello everyone! My name is Liliana McVey. I am a former Elementary Classroom Teacher, and I now work in the Educational Travel Industry. I am very excited to demonstrate the relationships built between educators and companies that work together to build stronger experiences for s... Read More →
Monday March 30, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
High Tech High 117

4:30pm PDT

Books Alive - Exploring Literacy Through Drama
Monday March 30, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
What if every story leapt off the page and onto the stage? In this energetic workshop, discover how drama can transform literacy learning. Through movement, voice and imagination, students build confidence, expand vocabulary and strengthen communication skills. Participants will experience process drama strategies using quality texts, exploring how arts-rich pedagogy deepens understanding, empathy, and intercultural awareness. Learn practical ways to weave drama into your teaching from Primary to Middle Years - making learning more meaningful, memorable and alive!
Speakers
avatar for Josie Nardella

Josie Nardella

Primary Teacher & Indigenous Education Academic Mentor, International Grammar School
I am a primary school teacher from Sydney Australia. I have been teaching for over 30 years. I have held different leadership positions in schools however my passion lies in being in the classroom with students. During my early years as a teacher, I did my post graduate studies in... Read More →
avatar for Michelle Weir

Michelle Weir

Primary Teacher & Head of Teacher Accreditation, International Grammar School
I am a Primary teacher from Sydney, Australia. I have been teaching for over 35 years. I have a passion for teaching Literacy through Drama. Drama enables enactment which can enrich student understanding of story, going beyond surface meanings and developing deeper understandings... Read More →
Monday March 30, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
High Tech High 150

4:30pm PDT

Building Ecosystems of Mattering in Schools
Monday March 30, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
What does it take for every student to feel they truly matter? In this interactive session, inspired by the Odyssey Leadership Academy model, participants will engage in hands-on activities, reflective dialogue, and collaborative design to explore how belonging drives deeper learning. Together we’ll practice strategies for centering student voice, amplifying agency, and embedding equity into everyday learning. Through playful community-building and guided reflection, participants will experience the practices that foster mattering—connection, visibility, and care. By the end, you’ll leave with practical tools to cultivate classrooms and schools where belonging is not a byproduct, but the foundation of flourishing.

This session is for teachers, school leaders, and district teams seeking concrete, equity-centered strategies to create joyful, inclusive ecosystems of learning where every student is seen, valued, and essential.

Note: This DL session also invites attendees from the National Summit on Improvement in Education to participate. Summit is a gathering and rallying point for a vibrant and diverse community of improvers who are working to create educational systems where all young people learn and thrive. In 2026, we're bringing together the powerful Deeper Learning and Improvement communities through select crossover sessions, culminating in a joint closing keynote. You are invited to dive deeper and make new connections at DL26. Check out our Summit and DL26 comparison to learn more.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Scott Martin

Dr. Scott Martin

Executive Director, Odyssey Leadership Academy
Dr. Scott Martin is a hall of fame educator and internationally recognized thought leader with a PhD in school leadership and moral education who is passionate about seeing schools reimagined for human and communal flourishing. He is the Head of Odyssey Leadership Academy, an award... Read More →
Monday March 30, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
High Tech Middle 113

4:30pm PDT

Community Rap Sessions: Fostering Authentic Family & Community Partnership
Monday March 30, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
Learning environments are often designed without the voices of our most important stakeholders: the people we are meant to serve. Imagine instead working together with families to identify needs, co-create solutions, and celebrate growth. If you’re a school leader seeking to foster these genuine connections, join us to experience community rap sessions, a culturally responsive practice that creates space for every voice to be heard. This session begins engaging educators as learners in an immersive experience, then shifts to the structures and planning needed to implement community rap sessions in your own school. Together, we will examine how these practices can become a routine way to engage families and community members meaningfully. As a Deeper Learning by Doing® experience, leave with concrete tools and strategies, personal action steps, contacts for follow-up coaching, and greater confidence to authentically partner with families and communities.
Speakers
avatar for Clare McKenna

Clare McKenna

Associate Director of Learning, Henry Ford Learning Institute
avatar for Deborah Parizek

Deborah Parizek

Executive Director, Henry Ford Learning Institute
I am excited to return to Deeper Learning this year (my 19th year!) with a new workshop, Community Rap Sessions: Building Authentic Family and Community Partnerships. Engaging meaningfully with others who are invested in deeper learning opportunities for young people and educators... Read More →
avatar for Theo Kozerski

Theo Kozerski

Associate Director of Social Innovation, Henry Ford Learning Institute

Monday March 30, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
High Tech Middle 101

4:30pm PDT

Curiosity Reclaimed: It Didn't Kill the Cat!
Monday March 30, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
Curiosity has been treated as something to manage, contain, or redirect, yet we now recognize it as a critical driver of learning. In this provocation lab, participants will study a range of examples from a variety of contexts and analyze how and why they work to spark and sustain inquiry. Together, we will explore the design moves that place curiosity at the center of instruction and clarify what distinguishes a true provocation from a simple hook, focusing on experiences that require thinking, discourse, and questioning. This session is for teachers and leaders ready to shift from delivering information to creating conditions that invite exploration. Participants will leave with practical tools and a clear framework for designing lessons that nurture curiosity as a durable learning disposition.
Speakers
avatar for Sarah Gerlinger

Sarah Gerlinger

Coordinator of Curriculum and Instruction, Los Altos School District
Monday March 30, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
High Tech Middle 114

4:30pm PDT

Designing Projects That Matter: Equity in CTE/IB
Monday March 30, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
This workshop showcases how real-world learning, equity, and interdisciplinary design come together in powerful project-based experiences for secondary students. Grounded in iLEAD’s innovative blend of IB, CTE, and Deeper Learning, participants will engage with planning frameworks and tools that support students in solving authentic community problems, developing career-ready skills, and amplifying their voice. The focus is on intentional project design—where equity, community partnerships, and student agency drive meaningful learning.
Speakers
avatar for Angie Nastovska

Angie Nastovska

Dirrector of Curriculum and Assessment, iLEAD Schools
Dr. Angie Nastovska is a nationally recognized educator, curriculum designer, and thought leader in deeper learning and the IB Career-related Programme. As Director of Curriculum and Assessment at iLEAD Schools and an Adjunct Professor, she designs innovative, student-centered systems... Read More →

Monday March 30, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
High Tech High 144

4:30pm PDT

Enduring Engagement Through Authentic Assessment
Monday March 30, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
What if students could be more engaged because they understood what you were assessing—and why? How do we keep middle schoolers truly invested in their learning? In this workshop, educators will explore how authentic, collaborative assessment—when connected to real-world challenges and student interests—can transform classroom culture and deepen learning. We’ll examine a middle school project that sparked curiosity, built essential skills, and led to meaningful work, while highlighting how student voice and choice played a key role in both the process and the assessment. Discover how inviting students into the assessment conversation can make their thinking more visible, foster ownership, and drive deeper engagement. You will leave the workshops with tools, strategies, and inspiration to co-create learning experiences that matter—to you and your students.
Speakers
avatar for Amber George

Amber George

Maker Teacher, High Tech High
Artist, Maker, Teacher, Coach, Mom, Cook, Sailor.
Monday March 30, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
High Tech High 146

4:30pm PDT

Ground Control to Major Tom: Modern Leadership
Monday March 30, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
In today’s world, what you plan for now may be upended by new forces tomorrow. Educational policies shift quickly, AI is transforming how learning happens, and geopolitical and environmental pressures are adding new layers of complexity. Your school community looks to you to lead through uncertainty with clarity and confidence.
In this interactive workshop, you will have dedicated time, tools, and opportunities for peer collaboration to help you navigate competing challenges with agility and purpose. Through case studies, real-time scenarios, and focused problem-solving conversations, you’ll explore practical frameworks for making high-stakes decisions, communicating clearly with your community, and keeping your school aligned with its mission—even when the road ahead is uncertain.
This highly relevant, active session designed to help future-ready leaders build resilient, responsive, and mission-driven schools in an era of uncertainty.

Note: This DL session also invites attendees from the National Summit on Improvement in Education to participate. Summit is a gathering and rallying point for a vibrant and diverse community of improvers who are working to create educational systems where all young people learn and thrive. In 2026, we're bringing together the powerful Deeper Learning and Improvement communities through select crossover sessions, culminating in a joint closing keynote. You are invited to dive deeper and make new connections at DL26. Check out our Summit and DL26 comparison to learn more.
Speakers
avatar for Leigh Fitzgerald

Leigh Fitzgerald

Chief Education Officer, Learnlife
Monday March 30, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
High Tech High 148

4:30pm PDT

Human Schools for Inhuman Times
Monday March 30, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
What does it mean to meet the human needs of students and educators? What choices can we make—as leaders, teachers, and people—to create deeper learning environments that meet this moment in history with respect for the humanity and intellect of our communities? In 2024, Libby Woodfin and Jal Mehta embarked on a research project to discover, describe, and share the qualities of human schools. Through stories and examples from schools across the U.S. involved in this research, participants will explore the impact that more (or less) human choices have on the experiences of students and adults in schools. Participants will leave with an understanding of the 10 Principles of Human Schools and practical steps they can take to bring these principles to life in their own settings. Note: Jal Mehta will attend and contribute to the session but is not a presenter.
Speakers
avatar for Libby Woodfin

Libby Woodfin

Director of Knowledge Exchange, Deeper Learning Institute
Monday March 30, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
High Tech High 158

4:30pm PDT

Mission-Aligned Targets, Deeper Learning Outcomes
Monday March 30, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
This workshop explores how to create clear, standards-based learning targets that strengthen project-based learning and reflect a school’s mission. As a new administrator in a PBL-focused school, I quickly recognized the need to strengthen how learning connects meaningfully to both academic standards and the school’s mission. By intentionally aligning learning targets with the mission, we move beyond a statement posted on the wall to a living guide for instruction, assessment, and student growth. Participants will see how this approach deepens the impact of project-based learning, strengthens coherence across school practices, and solidifies the school’s identity as a mission-driven, PBL-centered community. In addition, I will co-present with a consultant who has been working with me to make this change at our school.  She will share an external perspective on how this process supports instructional alignment, as well as the challenges and opportunities it presents for schools and educators.

Note: This DL session also invites attendees from the National Summit on Improvement in Education to participate. Summit is a gathering and rallying point for a vibrant and diverse community of improvers who are working to create educational systems where all young people learn and thrive. In 2026, we're bringing together the powerful Deeper Learning and Improvement communities through select crossover sessions, culminating in a joint closing keynote. You are invited to dive deeper and make new connections at DL26. Check out our Summit and DL26 comparison to learn more.
Speakers
avatar for Laura Flaxman

Laura Flaxman

Author, Educator, Consultant, Asia Pacific International School


avatar for Anna Sea

Anna Sea

Director of Instructions, Asia Pacific International School
Monday March 30, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
High Tech Middle 102

4:30pm PDT

Rethinking Stress to Nurture Thriving Learners
Monday March 30, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
In this session, participants will learn about the student experience through the coping process. Whether you're a school leader, classroom teacher, parent/caregiver, or student this session will offer fresh insights and strategies to help navigate stress, foster well-being, and enhance engagement. Participants will leave with concrete ways to support adaptive coping at home and at school. Come learn from what students are saying in our national data and how coping impacts their ability to thrive in our schools!

Note: This DL session also invites attendees from the National Summit on Improvement in Education to participate. Summit is a gathering and rallying point for a vibrant and diverse community of improvers who are working to create educational systems where all young people learn and thrive. In 2026, we're bringing together the powerful Deeper Learning and Improvement communities through select crossover sessions, culminating in a joint closing keynote. You are invited to dive deeper and make new connections at DL26. Check out our Summit and DL26 comparison to learn more.

Speakers
avatar for Kimberly Tsai

Kimberly Tsai

Director of Programs, Challenge Success
Kimberly Tsai, M.Ed., is a proud first-generation Taiwanese American, mother, educator, and creative, Kimberly Tsai has served for over fifteen years in the education ecosystem and is the author of the ASCD book, The Vital Role of Joy, which will be released in the summer of 2026... Read More →
avatar for Matthew Swenson

Matthew Swenson

Director of Educational Partnerships, Challenge Success
Matthew Swenson is the Director of Educational Partnerships at Challenge Success, where he leads national outreach to help K-12 schools foster student well-being, engagement, and belonging. With experience as an English teacher, assistant principal, and principal, he has a background... Read More →
Monday March 30, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
High Tech Middle 107

4:30pm PDT

System-Level R&D: Conditions for Change
Monday March 30, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
What if school systems were engines of continuous research and design, learning alongside students and educators to create equitable futures? In this hands-on session, Dr. Devin Vodicka and Dr. Katie Martin—co-founders and co-CEOs of Learner-Centered Collaborative—will invite participants to explore what an embedded R&D strategy looks like at scale. Through interactive dialogue, case studies of learner-centered innovations, and collaborative design activities, participants will identify conditions that allow change to spread: shared vision, leadership, and a culture grounded in learner voice. Together, we’ll surface bright spots, co-create strategies for scaling innovation, and leave with renewed joy and practical tools to drive sustainable, equitable change.

Note: This DL session also invites attendees from the National Summit on Improvement in Education to participate. Summit is a gathering and rallying point for a vibrant and diverse community of improvers who are working to create educational systems where all young people learn and thrive. In 2026, we're bringing together the powerful Deeper Learning and Improvement communities through select crossover sessions, culminating in a joint closing keynote. You are invited to dive deeper and make new connections at DL26. Check out our Summit and DL26 comparison to learn more.
Speakers
avatar for Devin Vodicka

Devin Vodicka

Co-CEO, Learner-Centered Collaborative
Devin Vodicka is the CEO of Learner-Centered Collaborative and the author of Learner-Centered Leadership. He is also three-time California superintendent of the year (2016 AASA, 2015 ACSA, 2015 Pepperdine), Innovative Superintendent of the Year (2014 Classroom of the Future Foundation... Read More →
avatar for Katie Martin

Katie Martin

Co-CEO, Learner-Centered Collaborative
Dr. Katie Martin is the CIO of Learner-Centered Collaborative, the author of Learner-Centered Innovation, and Evolving Education, and an internationally recognized educator and coach for her approach to educator and student learning. She has worked directly with thousands of teachers... Read More →
Monday March 30, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
High Tech High 106

4:30pm PDT

The Power of Play: Deepening Trust and Belonging
Monday March 30, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
Research shows that trust is initiated in a cascade of internal chemical reactions that open the doorway to unsurpassed teamwork, strong relationships, and a boost in mental health.
This session is ideal for leaders committed to cultivating more joy, generosity, and connection in their schools and classrooms.
Participants will be treated to activities, games, and reflective prompts that practice developing trust .
Attendees will leave with 3 simple activities, and endless iterations, to bring back to your schools to foster fun and connection, resulting in trust and transformation.
Speakers
avatar for Victoria Veneziano

Victoria Veneziano

Education Strategist, Meteor Education
Victoria earned her teaching degree and certification from the College of Charleston, SC.  For 10 years she taught middle and high school in public and private sectors across the U.S and internationally. As a teacher, administrator, and coach, she designed and implemented mindful... Read More →
Monday March 30, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
High Tech High 105
 

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