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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!

Company: School Leaders clear filter
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
 
Tuesday, March 31
 

9:30am PDT

Are Your Structures Sabotaging Your Mission?
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
What inherited structures does your school have in place? Are they serving the vision of your school or district?  Are your various structures competing with one another? “Form should follow function” is a valuable adage that can be taken one step further so that your forms are transformed to shape their functions in effective and positive ways. In this Deep Dive, you’ll assess your current structures to determine the ones that are serving you and the ones that you are serving. You’ll learn from examples of how schools and districts all over the world changed structures including master schedules, assessments, grading, lesson planning templates, staff meetings, and more, to transform their schools. You will leave with a plan for a structural change that you can implement at your own site.

Lunch is included in the deep dive.
LUNCH MENU
Greek Salad (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Cannelini Bean & Pasta Salad (Vegan)
Lemon Basmati Rice (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Mediterranean Spiced Chicken (Gluten-Free)
Tahini Dressing
Falafel (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Roasted Vegetables   Lemon Bars & Baklava
Speakers
AP

Aziza Purser

student, Asia Pacific International School
avatar for Laura Flaxman

Laura Flaxman

Author, Educator, Consultant, Asia Pacific International School



Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
High Tech Middle 102

9:30am PDT

Collective Design: Designing WITH the Local Genius of Our Communities
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
Solutions to complex systemic challenges already exist within the “local genius” of our communities.  This interactive deep dive explores how to shift from designing for communities to designing with them.

As we will build a community in real time, we'll explore the attributes of thriving communities and the conditions necessary for true co-creation. You will identify a specific challenge from your own context and work collaboratively to discover the missing voices and perspectives traditional data often misses. We will then explore ways to authentically build the trust required for meaningful partnership and practice the listening skills required for true collaboration. Participants will leave with concrete tools and a clear plan to integrate community voices into your design process—not just as a strategy, but as a restorative act of shifting power to those most impacted by decisions.

Lunch is included in each deep dive.
LUNCH MENU
Greek Salad (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Cannelini Bean & Pasta Salad (Vegan)
Lemon Basmati Rice (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Mediterranean Spiced Chicken (Gluten-Free)
Tahini Dressing
Falafel (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Roasted Vegetables   Lemon Bars & Baklava
Speakers
avatar for José E Garcia

José E Garcia

School Improvement Coach, New Tech Network

avatar for Kim Frankel Marsh

Kim Frankel Marsh

District Community and Network Design Specialist, New Tech Network
Kim Frankel Marsh serves as a District Community and Network Design Specialist for the New Tech Network where she uses tools and habits from improvement science to support district-level leadership development and systems change .  Prior to joining NTN, she spent 20 years on school... Read More →
avatar for Nick Kappelhof

Nick Kappelhof

Director, District and School Development, New Tech Network
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
High Tech Middle 116

9:30am PDT

Crafting Hope in Challenging Times
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
In Crafting Hope in Challenging Times, diverse participants from across the educational ecosystem are invited to engage in a shared, reflective experience focused on how today’s social and political dynamics are felt and lived in schools. Blending design thinking, narrative inquiry, and accessible hands-on making (no artistic background required), participants will translate lived experiences into small quilt-square artifacts using mixed media as metaphor, assembled into a collaborative installation representing collective experience, hope, and imagined change. In a moment of heightened polarization, the session treats craft as a tool for connection, sense-making, and pedagogical imagination.

Lunch is included in each deep dive.
LUNCH MENU
Greek Salad (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Cannelini Bean & Pasta Salad (Vegan)
Lemon Basmati Rice (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Mediterranean Spiced Chicken (Gluten-Free)
Tahini Dressing
Falafel (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Roasted Vegetables   Lemon Bars & Baklava
Speakers
avatar for Cassiopeia Guthrie

Cassiopeia Guthrie

Distinguished Teacher in Residence, California State University San Marcos
Cassiopeia Guthrie is committed to inspiring the imperative: courageous, creative, equity-minded, and empowered communities ready to change the world. A credentialed educator, university faculty member and researcher, professional journalist, and award-winning theatre critic, her... Read More →
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
High Tech High 146

9:30am PDT

Design for Belonging Within & Beyond Classroom Walls
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
As educators, we design our learning environments with great care - spaces we feel comfortable in and feel will be engaging for our students, leaning on research, wisdom of practice,  and intuition.  What if we could find ways to improve even the best laid plans?  What hidden or untapped resources might be in and around your classroom to help increase belonging, engagement, self-awareness, and appreciation for culture and place?

Come join us in our collaborative lab space to explore Stanford’s Dimensions of Belonging as a framework for considering the roles we allow people and place to play in our learning environments; in our Belonging Lab, we’ll prototype changes to our school or classroom spaces that goes beyond just welcoming environment to activating our spaces and students as shapers of belonging.

Lunch is included in each deep dive.
LUNCH MENU
Greek Salad (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Cannelini Bean & Pasta Salad (Vegan)
Lemon Basmati Rice (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Mediterranean Spiced Chicken (Gluten-Free)
Tahini Dressing
Falafel (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Roasted Vegetables   Lemon Bars & Baklava
Speakers
avatar for Cereescia Sandoval

Cereescia Sandoval

Cultivator of Community and Liberatory Design, High Tech High Graduate School of Education - Center for Love & Justice
Cereescia Sandoval has been an educator for nearly two decades, with more than ten years at High Tech High. Over the course of her career, she has served as a classroom teacher, graduate school faculty, and now as the Cultivator of Community and Liberatory Design with the Center for... Read More →
avatar for Miki Tomita Okamoto

Miki Tomita Okamoto

CEO and Founder, Education Incubator
Born and raised on Maui, Miki graduated from H.P. Baldwin High School, earned a B.S.E. in Biosystems Engineering at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, and a Ph.D. in education at Stanford University.  She has worked in education for 25 years as a teacher, administrator, curriculum... Read More →
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
High Tech High 148

9:30am PDT

Empowering Educators to Lead Fieldwork: Doing More with Less
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
Place-based experiential learning or “fieldwork” sounds good on paper, but how do you implement a robust, meaningful fieldwork program without ample money, time, and people? In this session, we will venture off-campus to demonstrate how even a simple experience can spark learning, ground existing lessons, and support cross-disciplinary connections. Participants will be challenged to connect the experience to their own disciplines and communities, and to consider how low lift experiences can be just as impactful to students as elaborate ones. Hear directly from students about why fieldwork is worth it, and brainstorm with fellow school leaders and educators how to surmount real barriers. Teachers will leave the session with a draft of a fieldwork experience for their context. School/district leaders will leave with a plan on how to empower teachers to embed fieldwork in their courses.

Lunch is included in each deep dive.
LUNCH MENU
Greek Salad (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Cannelini Bean & Pasta Salad (Vegan)
Lemon Basmati Rice (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Mediterranean Spiced Chicken (Gluten-Free)
Tahini Dressing
Falafel (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Roasted Vegetables   Lemon Bars & Baklava
Speakers
avatar for Bobor Jones

Bobor Jones

Internship and Fieldwork Coordinator, Templeton Academy DC
I love finding ways to bring all of the learning resources available to students in Washington, DC into the classroom and bringing students outside of the classroom to learn in the city. While I love a good classroom, there are experts who know far more than I do who are excited to... Read More →
avatar for Dr. Laura DeLima

Dr. Laura DeLima

VP of Learning & Measurement (former)/Board Member (current), Templeton Academy
Dr. Laura DeLima has spent the last 15 years moving innovative secondary schools from ideation to implementation. She's kept busy (re)creating mission statements and developing theories of action that meld idealism and pragmatism and then developing all the types of student and staff... Read More →
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
High Tech High 105

9:30am PDT

ENGAGE! Designing Innovative Project-Based Experiences
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
We often hear about hands-on teaching, but how do we actually put student-centered learning into practice? The session will focus on how you can design integrated, multi-disciplinary learning experiences in any classroom and any subject. This deep dive will strike a balance between being actively engaged as learners and pulling the curtain back to explain the ideas and research behind the learning. By the end of this session you will have concrete teaching strategies as well as an overall framework for lesson, project, or unit planning. Come be part of the Habla magic!

Lunch is included in each deep dive.
LUNCH MENU
Greek Salad (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Cannelini Bean & Pasta Salad (Vegan)
Lemon Basmati Rice (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Mediterranean Spiced Chicken (Gluten-Free)
Tahini Dressing
Falafel (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Roasted Vegetables   Lemon Bars & Baklava
Speakers
avatar for Kurt Wootton

Kurt Wootton

Director, Habla
Kurt Wootton is a co-founder and director of Habla: the Center for Language and Culture and is one of the founding directors of the ArtsLiteracy Project in the Education Department at Brown University. He is the coauthor of A Reason to Read: Linking Literacy and the Arts published... Read More →
avatar for Marimar Patrón Vázquez

Marimar Patrón Vázquez

Co-founder, Habla
Marimar Patrón Vázquez, is a cultural innovator and educator who co-founded Habla: The Center for Language and Culture in Yucatán, México, where she was born and her family lived for generations. Trained in literature at Universidad de las Américas and Brown University, she has... Read More →
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
High Tech Middle 113

9:30am PDT

Experience as Text
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
Come learn about standards aligned, data driven teaching and learning through the experience of making chocolate. In this Deep Dive, participants will have the chance to make chocolate in a couple of different ways while learning about the history of this extraordinary food. Throughout the experience, participants will have time to understand the importance of real experience toward Deeper Learning in the classroom. We will unpack the experience for connections to all of the traditional content buckets, and use that understanding to inform the work we will do back home after the conference.

Lunch is included in each deep dive.
LUNCH MENU
Greek Salad (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Cannelini Bean & Pasta Salad (Vegan)
Lemon Basmati Rice (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Mediterranean Spiced Chicken (Gluten-Free)
Tahini Dressing
Falafel (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Roasted Vegetables   Lemon Bars & Baklava
Speakers
avatar for Brian Delgado

Brian Delgado

Community Based Learning Coach, Blue Dot Education; Center for Love & Justice
Social & Environmental Justice
Equity in Education
PBL
Learn by doing

avatar for Andrew Lerario

Andrew Lerario

Co-Founder + Designer, Blue Dot Education
How many ways do you know how to cook a hot dog? I bet you could think of a bunch. A room full of people could probably think of over a hundred ways to cook a hot dog, and it would be an exciting conversation.

But, what if I told you there was only 1 way to properly cook a hot dog... Read More →
avatar for Mike Strong

Mike Strong

Executive Leadership Team/HTHGSE Faculty, Blue Dot Education; High Tech High Graduate School of Education
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
High Tech High 141

9:30am PDT

Gamified Project-Based Learning to Engage your Classroom
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
This session is for innovative educators looking to enhance engagement and develop students’ problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills. We will experience a gamified project addressing real-world issues such as eliminating poverty, combating climate change, and peacekeeping. In small groups representing different countries, you will create solutions, trade, form alliances, impose sanctions, and possibly engage in conflict to acquire resources.  Join us for this collaborative experience and take home this synergetic, gamified project that encourages students to learn and take action to improve themselves and the world. Throughout the session, you will hear from students who have completed the project, learning about their experiences and strategies. We will pause to reflect, brainstorm, and discuss how these instructional strategies can engage students in your schools.

Lunch is included in each deep dive.
LUNCH MENU
Greek Salad (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Cannelini Bean & Pasta Salad (Vegan)
Lemon Basmati Rice (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Mediterranean Spiced Chicken (Gluten-Free)
Tahini Dressing
Falafel (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Roasted Vegetables   Lemon Bars & Baklava
Speakers
avatar for Adam Ko

Adam Ko

7th grade math/science teacher, Model United Nations Trade War
Adam is the creator of Model United Nations Trade War, a collaborative math-based game that empowers students to learn and take action to improve themselves and the world.  Adam is also a teacher at High Tech High, specifically 7th grade math and computer science at High Tech Middle Chula Vista... Read More →
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
High Tech Middle 107

9:30am PDT

How to Deeper Learn-ify Your Adopted Curriculum
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
Are you committed to Deeper Learning—projects, authentic assessments!—and grade-level curricula (like Springboard or Illustrative Math)? Good for you. You are committed to educational justice. But you may also be feeling the squeeze: there’s only so much time.

It doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game. The trick is to put Deeper Learning and solid curriculum in service of each other. In this Deep Dive, you’ll bring a unit or assignment from your published curriculum (or work with examples we provide) and learn how to deepen its power by applying principles of High-Quality Performance Assessment (HQPA) and practices of public exhibition.

After a day in this creative design laboratory—open to teachers and school or district leaders—you’ll show off your new skills with a piece of curriculum that’s been “Deeper Learn-ified.”

Lunch is included in each deep dive.
LUNCH MENU
Greek Salad (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Cannelini Bean & Pasta Salad (Vegan)
Lemon Basmati Rice (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Mediterranean Spiced Chicken (Gluten-Free)
Tahini Dressing
Falafel (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Roasted Vegetables   Lemon Bars & Baklava
Speakers
avatar for Josette Neal-De-Stanton

Josette Neal-De-Stanton

Assessment Design Partner, Envision Learning Partners
avatar for Justin Wells

Justin Wells

Chief Program Officer, Envision Education
I’m the Chief Program Officer of Envision Education, a Bay Area network of public charter schools with a national footprint through our consulting arm, Envision Learning Partners (ELP). In my role, I support both our schools and our partners across the country to design and implement... Read More →
avatar for Soraya Ramos

Soraya Ramos

Nonprofit Organization, Envision Learning Partners



Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
High Tech High 107

9:30am PDT

Leading PBL Through Workforce Transformation
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
School and district leaders today are navigating constant change—staff turnover, shifting roles, and a multigenerational workforce. Sustaining high-quality Project Based Learning requires systems that support the work regardless of who comes and goes.  This session is for leaders who want to build durable PBL systems that create stability in changing environments. Participants will explore strategies for building shared vision, designing effective onboarding and just-in-time supports, and leveraging the strengths of the adults in their system. Participants will leave with concrete action steps and greater confidence to lead PBL through change.

Lunch is included in each deep dive.
LUNCH MENU
Greek Salad (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Cannelini Bean & Pasta Salad (Vegan)
Lemon Basmati Rice (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Mediterranean Spiced Chicken (Gluten-Free)
Tahini Dressing
Falafel (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Roasted Vegetables   Lemon Bars & Baklava


Speakers
avatar for James Campbell

James Campbell

Director of District & School Leadership, PBLWorks

TT

Taya Tselolikhina

Sr. Director of District Sales & Partnerships, PBLWorks

TT

Taya Tselolikhina

Director of District & School Leadership, PBLWorks

Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
High Tech Middle 117

9:30am PDT

Lessons that Inspire: Deeper Instruction Strategies
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
When we think about Deeper Learning, we usually picture Project-Based Learning. Projects are one of the best ways to immerse students in Deeper Learning, but in most schools, projects are not happening all the time. Often, even in PBL schools, they comprise only a small part of the schedule. Students deserve Deeper Learning all day long.

In this workshop, we will dive into Deeper Instruction strategies—analyzing frameworks, models, and videos—to help us move toward schools where every lesson is a Deeper Learning lesson. We will consider together strategies for PreK-12 classrooms where students are active, independent, and collaborative thinkers throughout lessons, whether the lessons are a part of projects or not connected to projects.

Lunch is included in each deep dive.
LUNCH MENU
Greek Salad (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Cannelini Bean & Pasta Salad (Vegan)
Lemon Basmati Rice (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Mediterranean Spiced Chicken (Gluten-Free)
Tahini Dressing
Falafel (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Roasted Vegetables   Lemon Bars & Baklava


Speakers
avatar for Ron Berger

Ron Berger

Nonprofit Organization, EL Education
Ron Berger, Senior Advisor at EL Education, is a well-known author and international keynote speaker focused on inspiring a commitment to quality, character, and citizenship in students.

Ron is the author of best-selling education books, including: An Ethic of Excellence, A Culture of Quality, Leaders of Their Own Learning, Transformational Literacy, Management in the Active Classroom, Learning that Lasts, and We Are Crew: A Teamwork Approach to School Culture. He... Read More →
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
High Tech High 144

9:30am PDT

Let's Build a Space Habitat! A PBL & Design Thinking Slice
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
Experience Deeper Learning through the power of Project Based Learning & Design Thinking as we collaborate in groups to design & build models of sustainable habitats for living on another planet. This will be a fun and creative session aimed at teachers & administrators interested in experiencing best practices for designing & managing projects in the classroom and understanding how PBL and Design Thinking can create awesome, meaningful learning experiences in any context! This session has appeared at Deeper Learning before and is based on a project run by the facilitator multiple times at High Tech High with 11th graders. Our agenda includes a condensed version of the project (a "slice") as well as opportunities to take intentional pauses in order to step back and use our lens as educators to note and discuss the pedagogical practices undergirding the project while experiencing them in action.

Lunch is included in each deep dive.
LUNCH MENU
Greek Salad (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Cannelini Bean & Pasta Salad (Vegan)
Lemon Basmati Rice (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Mediterranean Spiced Chicken (Gluten-Free)
Tahini Dressing
Falafel (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Roasted Vegetables   Lemon Bars & Baklava
Speakers
avatar for Russell Walker

Russell Walker

Teacher, San Diego Unified School District
I am a PBL teacher, trainer, and overall enthusiast. I’ve co-designed projects with students centered on photography, engineering, poetry, AI, designing habitats for other planets, publishing our own comic books, “50 Shades of Decay”, and so much more! I also provide PD for... Read More →
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
High Tech High 150

9:30am PDT

Let's Design Tomorrow’s Schools: AI, Equity, and Collaboration
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
This full-day session invites educators and school leaders to collaboratively reimagine what equitable and future-ready schools can be in an age shaped by AI. Through dialogue and collaboration, we will disuss the possibilities and tensions of AI in education. We will also design individual action plans to bring back to your schools to make equitable use of AI in your schools. This session is ideal for teacher leaders, instructional coaches, and school or district leaders who are thinking strategically about how to engage teams and communities in shaping responsible and human-centered uses of AI.

Lunch is included in each deep dive.
LUNCH MENU
Greek Salad (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Cannelini Bean & Pasta Salad (Vegan)
Lemon Basmati Rice (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Mediterranean Spiced Chicken (Gluten-Free)
Tahini Dressing
Falafel (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Roasted Vegetables   Lemon Bars & Baklava



Speakers
AC

Alejandro Contreras

Head of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Colegio Los Nogales
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
High Tech Middle 106

9:30am PDT

Multilingual Ecosystems: The Head, Hands, and Heart
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
This Deep Dive will explore students' dynamic translanguaging pedagogies to foster multilingual ecosystems in our classrooms and schools. Participants will seek to understand their own linguistic histories and disrupt biases that impact instructional design. Participants will delve into translanguaging practices that can foster a more multilingual and inclusive classroom environment. We will discuss strategies for integrating translanguaging into pedagogy and curriculum design. Educators will be able to apply new strategies to their classrooms and schools in order to disrupt harmful language practices. They will build nurturing spaces to honor and leverage the linguistic diversity of their students. Come and create classrooms where multilingualism is celebrated, and all students feel valued and engaged in their learning journey. All experience levels are welcome.

Lunch is included in each deep dive.
LUNCH MENU
Greek Salad (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Cannelini Bean & Pasta Salad (Vegan)
Lemon Basmati Rice (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Mediterranean Spiced Chicken (Gluten-Free)
Tahini Dressing
Falafel (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Roasted Vegetables   Lemon Bars & Baklava
Speakers
avatar for Beth Puma

Beth Puma

Consultant. Coach. Radical Dreamer, Beth Puma Consulting
I’m passionate about designing equitable systems where multilingual learners thrive.
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
High Tech Middle 108

9:30am PDT

Negotiation for Education Leaders
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
Negotiation is the process through which people come together to make sense of problems and build sustainable solutions. In that sense, we as educators are negotiating all day, every day. We are negotiating with students, colleagues, caregivers, community members, and political leaders. Some of our negotiations are formal - such as a contract negotiation. But most of our negotiations are informal, such as when we deliberate on how to address a pressing challenge or resolve a conflict within our school or community. In this session, we will explore foundational negotiation principles and strategies through experiential learning, giving us the opportunity to experience the Deeper Learning competencies firsthand. In doing so, we’ll pursue two main goals: 1) learn more about the theory and practice of negotiation, and 2) explore how to design and facilitate high-impact experiential learning experiences that are rich in the Deeper Learning competencies.

Lunch is included in each deep dive.
LUNCH MENU
Greek Salad (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Cannelini Bean & Pasta Salad (Vegan)
Lemon Basmati Rice (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Mediterranean Spiced Chicken (Gluten-Free)
Tahini Dressing
Falafel (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Roasted Vegetables   Lemon Bars & Baklava
Speakers
avatar for Zachary Herrmann

Zachary Herrmann

Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives, University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education
Dr. Zachary Herrmann designs, leads, and researches interdisciplinary teams committed to tackling some of the world’s toughest challenges, including climate change, complex negotiations, and collaborative problem-solving across disciplinary, political, and geographical boundaries... Read More →
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
High Tech High 158

9:30am PDT

Play More Attention: The Magic of Crafting Engaging Experiences
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
When given the gift of someone's attention, what do you choose to do with it? Join Magician Sky King (www.SkyKingMagic.com) and educator Carolene King for a deep dive on attention where you will craft the scripting for and confidently perform a magic illusion for an audience by the end of your experience. Learn about a framework on crafting engaging experiences and put it into practice through this magic show experience. Reflect on how you will apply this framework in your work, whether you are teaching leadership skills to your staff, or science principles to middle schoolers, or creative writing to high schoolers. Use the magic of crafting engaging experiences to playfully engage your participants' attention to effectively deliver your content.

Lunch is included in each deep dive.
LUNCH MENU
Greek Salad (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Cannelini Bean & Pasta Salad (Vegan)
Lemon Basmati Rice (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Mediterranean Spiced Chicken (Gluten-Free)
Tahini Dressing
Falafel (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Roasted Vegetables   Lemon Bars & Baklava
Speakers
avatar for Carolene King

Carolene King

Group Learning Lead & CORE Coach, Los Angeles Education Partnership
SK

Skyler King

Close Up Magician, Sky King Magic


Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
High Tech High 117

9:30am PDT

Rooted in Vision: Leading to Accelerate Emergence and Coherence
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
How can we build momentum for change in a way that enables shared direction but doesn’t impose standardization? How can we get the boats rowing in the same direction but still foster innovation? In this session we will explore the complimentary ideas of coherence and emergence and how together they can accelerate transformation. Building coherence requires relentless focus and constant vigilance. Participants will first examine their vision, ensuring it is specific, clear and identify where elements of your vision already exist within your system. Then leaders will play The Coherence Game; an activity we have created to help system leaders see where in their own system they have strong coherence and where coherence needs to be built. Lastly, participants will connect their coherence work with the critical strategies that enable emergence to happen in their organization.

Lunch is included in each deep dive.
LUNCH MENU
Greek Salad (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Cannelini Bean & Pasta Salad (Vegan)
Lemon Basmati Rice (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Mediterranean Spiced Chicken (Gluten-Free)
Tahini Dressing
Falafel (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Roasted Vegetables   Lemon Bars & Baklava
Speakers
avatar for Alisa Berger

Alisa Berger

ED, Deeper Learning Institute - Harvard Graduate School of Education
Alisa has over 25 years of experience as an educator, principal, and school leadership coach. She works with schools, districts and networks to support deeper and more engaging instruction for all students.Alisa is Executive Director of the Deeper Learning Dozen, a project out of... Read More →
avatar for Jal Mehta

Jal Mehta

Professor of Education, Faculty Co-Chair, Harvard Graduate School of Education
Jal Mehta is a professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. His research explores the role of different forms of knowledge in tackling major social and political problems, particularly problems of human improvement. He has also written extensively on what it would take... Read More →
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
High Tech Middle 114

9:30am PDT

Students Are the Curriculum and the Community Is the School
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
This Deep Dives experience includes visiting a local student at their internship to witness learning in action, while mentors reflect on the power of guidance and community experts share how they strengthen neighborhoods. Learners will engage directly with young people as they pursue passions, build mentor relationships, and take on impactful work. Participants will also explore a local organization doing meaningful community work. These authentic encounters highlight what’s possible when education extends beyond classroom walls. Afterward, participants engage in hands-on workshops to explore tools and strategies for building thriving real-world learning programs. They will leave not only inspired but also equipped with a practical plan to design infrastructure, systems, and supports that bring this vision to life in their own contexts.

Lunch is included in each deep dive.
LUNCH MENU
Greek Salad (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Cannelini Bean & Pasta Salad (Vegan)
Lemon Basmati Rice (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Mediterranean Spiced Chicken (Gluten-Free)
Tahini Dressing
Falafel (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Roasted Vegetables   Lemon Bars & Baklava
Speakers
avatar for Anthonette Peña

Anthonette Peña

Director, B-Unbound, Big Picture Learning
Anthonette is currently the Director of B-Unbound, Big Picture Learning’s initiative to establish real world learning programs in communities. She is a National Board Certified Teacher in Early Adolescence Science and an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow. Her experiences... Read More →
DS

Dr. Sonn Sam

National Director of Partnerships, Big Picture Learning
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
High Tech High 164
 
Wednesday, April 1
 

10:00am PDT

Becoming a DL Teacher: Feedback That Matters
Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
What does it mean to be a deeper learning teacher—and how can we support each other in that journey? Participants will use our Deeper Learning Teaching & Classroom Framework—anchored in the domains of Conditions, Connection, and Pedagogy, along with the Growth Arcs (Sprouting → Rooted → Thriving)—to practice giving and receiving feedback that deepens practice rather than merely checking boxes.
Participants will analyze what deeper learning looks like across contexts and practice structured protocols for feedback. Whether newer to deeper learning or more advanced, participants will have differentiated entry points to explore and calibrate.
Takeaways include:
A set of feedback stems aligned to the framework.
An adaptable observation lens using Growth Arcs.
A feedback protocol to apply in their own school.

Our Framework draws on research and practitioners including Hammond, Immordino-Yang, Bransford, Hewlett Foundation, Ritchart, Berger, McTigue/Wiggins.
Speakers
avatar for Kaile Berlenbach

Kaile Berlenbach

Program Manager, Kupu Hou Academy @ Mid-Pacific Institute
avatar for Mark Hines

Mark Hines

Director, Kupu Hou Academy @ Mid-Pacific Institute
On the professional side, topics around school change and transformation, math, science, and STEM education on authentic work and modeling, and building communities of practice are sure fire ways to get me started talking! On the personal side I have a love of space science and astronomy... Read More →
Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
High Tech High 158

10:00am PDT

Beyond the One-and-Done: Adult Learning for Impact
Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
This is for leaders who want to design adult learning experiences that are authentic and rigorous. Just as we strive to design student learning that is engaging and purposeful, we must approach adult learning with the same intentionality - ensuring it is active, relevant, and connected to real-world practice. Professional learning shouldn’t be a one-time event. It should be a strategic process that fosters growth. In this workshop, leaders will explore how to meet the diverse needs of adults in their organizations. Through the study of an exemplar, participants will design a cohesive arc of learning that drives long-term impact. Leaders will then zoom in to a single day of adult learning grounded in cognitive neuroscience. With planning time, peer collaboration, reflection, and practical tools, participants will leave with a plan for structuring adult learning experiences that move beyond the one-and-done model and fosters deep, sustained growth.

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 Christina Aries

Christina Aries

Director of Adult Development, Citizens of the World Charter Schools
Christina is the director of adult development at Citizens of the World Schools. Previously, Christina served as a middle school leader at Citizens of the World Silver Lake where she focused on equitable outcomes for all students through the implementation of constructivist learning... Read More →
Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
High Tech High 150

10:00am PDT

Bridging the Gap: Partnering for Equitable Access to Futures in STEM
Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
Our workshop gives a window into an innovative tri-party collaboration between a school district, university and nonprofit designed to address gaps in access for kids to game-changing opportunities to learn, love and consider futures in STEM fields. The program, called Beyond Possible, is an afterschool community-based dual enrollment program for high school students designed to develop STEM and durable skills and position young people to enter in-demand careers leading to economic mobility.

In this session, participants will walk through the development journey of this partnership, examine data sets to pinpoint crucial issues of equity, engage in community asset mapping to identify strong values-driven collaborations and gain perspective from lessons learned by the partners as they built and adjusted the innovative partnership.  Through the process, participants will have the opportunity to engage with others, apply the thinking protocols to their own challenges and bring curiosity and planning focus to dilemmas of equity in their own contexts.

Speakers
avatar for Megan Reed

Megan Reed

Executive Director of Strategy and Operations, Office of Secondary Schools, Boston Public Schools
Megan Reed is the Executive Director of Strategy and Operations in the Office of College, Career and Life Readiness in Boston Public Schools.  In this capacity, she facilitates the teams’ execution of their strategic plan by fostering purposeful collaboration within and between... Read More →
avatar for Joanna Sanborn

Joanna Sanborn

Vice President, Postsecondary Pathways, The Possible Zone
Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
High Tech Middle 114

10:00am PDT

Building Ecosystems of Mattering in Schools
Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am 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.
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 →
Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
High Tech Middle 113

10:00am PDT

Building Student Centered Culture by Developing Teacher Leaders
Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
Moving beyond the rhetoric of "student-centered learning," this interactive workshop provides participants with concrete strategies and frameworks for building sustainable teacher leadership systems that genuinely transform classroom instruction. Through a combination of collaborative reflection, authentic teacher testimonials, School District of South Milwaukee Principal led practical planning sessions, and expert consultation from Brian Delgado of Blue Dot Education, attendees will leave with actionable steps to create learning environments where students consistently engage in problem-solving, collaboration, and communication while mastering both academic and social-emotional learning competencies.

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 Brian Delgado

Brian Delgado

Community Based Learning Coach, Blue Dot Education; Center for Love & Justice
Social & Environmental Justice
Equity in Education
PBL
Learn by doing

avatar for Deidre Roemer

Deidre Roemer

Superintendent, School District of South Milwaukee
Deidre Roemer is the Superintendent for the School District of South Milwaukee.   Prior to that role she served as the Assistant Superintendent, Director of Leadership and Learning, Coordinator of Special Education, instructional coach, and  classroom teacher.  Her philosophy of... Read More →
avatar for Julie Weber

Julie Weber

Reading Specialist / Coach, School District of South Milwaukee
avatar for Lee Waechter

Lee Waechter

Principal, School District of South Milwaukee
Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
High Tech High 148

10:00am PDT

Community Rap Sessions: Fostering Authentic Family & Community Partnership
Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am 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

Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
High Tech Middle 101

10:00am PDT

Design for Deeper Learning with the AI Kaleidoscope
Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
High Tech High GSE’s Kaleidoscope framework supports educators in designing transformative learning experiences. However, designing for and with learners takes a lot of time and creative energy. This workshop introduces collaborative protocols for community-oriented projects and strategies for using the AI-companion to High Tech High’s Kaleidoscope Framework as a resource for lifting some of the cognitive weight of design.
Speakers
avatar for Rosemarie Biocarles-Rydeen

Rosemarie Biocarles-Rydeen

Professional Learning Designer, High Tech High Graduate School of Education
Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
High Tech High 107

10:00am PDT

Developing Authentic Audiences for PBL
Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
This workshop explores the question “How can an authentic audience make projects more meaningful and impactful for students?” Participants will examine how connecting student work to real audiences can deepen engagement, improve language development, and strengthen the purpose behind project-based learning. In addition to authentic audience, participants will also consider authenticity in general, discussing real-world tasks, inquiry and disciplinary thinking. After collaboratively analyzing a sample project, participants will reflect on their own project plans and consider ways to more intentionally design for authentic purposes and audiences.
Speakers
avatar for Dolan Morgan

Dolan Morgan

Senior Director of Programs, Internationals Network
avatar for Sevana Sammis

Sevana Sammis

Manager of Professional Development, Internationals Network
Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
High Tech High 146

10:00am PDT

How to Craft Movement Stories
Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
Build a values-first story kit students will join: a clear story, tagline, and simple visual. Works for classroom projects, school culture efforts, or community partnerships. Learn a step-by-step process you can teach tomorrow to help students and staff communicate for impact. Leave with a completed workbook kit plus an elementary/middle/high adaptation guide.

In this hands-on workshop, educators and school leaders experience the Movement Communications Design Framework (MCDF) using a printed workbook and a simple peer-feedback protocol. You will move through four short sprints—Values, Storyboard, Visual Motif, and Tagline—then assemble your mini communications kit.

Bring a real initiative (class project, student-led effort, school-wide priority, or community campaign), or choose a ready-to-use prompt if you are starting from scratch.
Speakers
avatar for Luke Piedad

Luke Piedad

Chief Operating Officer, Hundred Hands Learning Lab
Luke Piedad is the COO of Hundred Hands Learning Lab (H2L2), a San Diego–based creative design studio that partners with educators, organizers, and changemakers to build accessible, equity-centered systems. Luke brings a unique blend of technical expertise, organizational design... Read More →
avatar for Patrick Yurick

Patrick Yurick

Chief Executive Officer, Hundred Hands Learning Lab
Patrick Yurick is the Chief Executive Officer of Hundred Hands Learning Lab (H2L2), a San Diego-based studio that treats design as a way to build movements, not just materials. He leads teams that help educators, organizers, and nonprofits turn complex ideas into visual stories, brands... Read More →
avatar for Victor Flores

Victor Flores

Chief Technology Officer, Hundred Hands Learning Lab
Victor Flores is the Chief Technology Officer at H2L2, where he oversees technical strategy, architecture, and execution across client engagements. He focuses on building systems that are clear in purpose, adaptable in design, and aligned directly to business and mission-driven g... Read More →

Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
High Tech Middle 116

10:00am PDT

Mission-Aligned Targets, Deeper Learning Outcomes
Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am 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.
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
Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
High Tech Middle 102

10:00am PDT

Student Voice Data: Building Safer Schools
Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
What do students tell us about creating schools with cultures of belonging and respect? How can we use their insights to reduce bullying? In this experiential workshop, we'll explore YouthTruth's Anti-Bullying Report, which reveals a consistent pattern across schools: when students feel a sense of belonging and see adults modeling respect across differences, bullying decreases significantly. Together, we'll examine data from over 200,000 students nationwide to understand how school culture directly impacts student safety. We'll utilize tested improvement science tools to transform these insights into actionable change within schools and systems. Participants will leave with a deep understanding of national anti-bullying trends, practical tools for culture change, and concrete strategies for engaging students as partners in creating safer, more inclusive learning environments where every student can thrive.

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 Sarah Lundy

Sarah Lundy

Director of Partnerships, Youth Truth


Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
High Tech Middle 108

10:00am PDT

Student-Led Workshop: The Power of Play
Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
The Power of Play for Pupils is a workshop where we discuss, play games, and learn about the importance of how the developing mind reacts to play in classrooms. Together, we will learn why play it’s important to adolescent development and why play is important in school. This workshop is intended for all teachers, school leaders, and empowered students who are open to sharing with a group.
Speakers
AK

Asher Kalisuch

K-12 Student, High Tech High
avatar for Cole D'Agostino

Cole D'Agostino

K-12 Student, High Tech High
Hi, I'm Cole! Nice to meet you! I'm a passionate sophomore who loves music, math, and anything else I love...which is a lot. I'd describe myself as fun, chaotic, and occasionally a little clumsy(usually unintentionally). I love talking about music, theater, math, and anything! Anything... Read More →
Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
High Tech Middle 117

10:00am PDT

System-Level R&D: Conditions for Change
Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am 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.
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 →
Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
High Tech High 106

10:00am PDT

The Power of Ritual in Building Team Culture
Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
This session is for school and district leaders who want to build culture with intention through well-designed rituals and experiences for staff and their teams. Building culture is a continuous process of sending signals that build safety, share vulnerability, and establish purpose. Drawing on the work of Daniel Coyle (author of The Culture Code), this session will explore multiple methods for growing a culture committed to bringing out the best in everyone. Participants will learn through storytelling and prototyping their own rituals or cultural moments.
Speakers
avatar for David Williams

David Williams

CEO/Superintendent, Village Tech Schools
I am the Superintendent/CEO of Village Tech Schools and one of the founding team members. The mission of VT is to forge students who are character-driven, challenge-ready and community-focused. Talk to me about education, books, hiking, travel, Labradoodles, or yourself. I enjoy meeting... Read More →
Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
High Tech High 105
 

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