Deeper Learning 2026: Full Schedule

Welcome Deeper Learners!

This digital program is for all things DL2026! Session selection is LIVE. Only 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!

4:30pm PDT

Authentic Community Service: When Students Identify and Lead the Way

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

High Tech High 117

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

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 →

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

Workshop Round 1

AUDIENCE K-12 Students, Parents, All Teachers K-12, Teacher Leaders (Coordinators - Counselors - Coaches), School Leaders
TOPIC Civic Engagement, Intro to Deeper Learning, Student Agency

4:30pm PDT

Belonging Through Play: Equity and Student Agency

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

High Tech High 107

This interactive workshop, led by Education for Sharing (E4S), invites participants to experience how play can be a powerful driver of equity, student agency, and belonging. Using E4S’s Play–Reflect–Act methodology, educators will engage in hands-on games and challenges that model social-emotional learning practices while fostering deeper learning. Through playful collaboration and guided reflection, participants will explore ways to design classrooms where all students feel seen, valued, and empowered to shape their learning journeys and exercise their voices. The session balances interactive activities, small-group dialogue, and whole-group discussion, ensuring participants experience and practice strategies they can immediately apply. Participants will leave with practical, adaptable tools to create joyful, student-centered spaces that nurture curiosity, build community, and promote equitable outcomes.

Speakers

Brooke Wallace

United States Country Manager, Education for Sharing

Dina Buchbinder

Founder and Executive Director, Education for Sharing

Dina Buchbinder is the Founder and President of Education for Sharing (E4S), a global nonprofit transforming education through the power of play. For over 18 years, E4S has engaged more than two million children, educators, and families across the Americas, fostering empathy, collaboration... Read More →

Monday March 30, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
High Tech High 107

Workshop Round 1, Abundant Imagination

AUDIENCE All Teachers K-12
TOPIC Student Agency, Diversity Equity and Sense of Belonging

4:30pm PDT

Building Belonging: Tools for Student-Led Classrooms

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

High Tech Middle 117

Explore the strategies and resources NYC Outward Bound Schools is using to shift Crews and classrooms to be more student-led. The combination of establishing strong, predictable routines and prioritizing student-designed content creates the conditions for students to feel ownership and belonging in school. Grounding in NYC Outward Bound Schools’ Student Voice Spectrum and a multi-media case study of a student leader’s growth in her Crew class, participants will design their own mini-lessons using the same tools students use and will learn strategies to implement in their own school contexts to elevate student leadership. Ideal for educators looking to meaningfully elevate student leadership in Crew/Advisory and classrooms.

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

Hannah Read

Senior Manager of Program Design and Crew Coach, NYC Outward Bound Schools

In my role as a Crew Coach, I support NYC public schools to implement Crew, an advisory model and school-wide structure that fosters student belonging and social-emotional and academic development, by providing 1:1 coaching to teachers and school leaders, facilitating professional... Read More →

Monday March 30, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
High Tech Middle 117

Workshop Round 1

4:30pm PDT

Building Ecosystems of Mattering in Schools

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

High Tech Middle 113

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

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

Workshop Round 1

AUDIENCE All Teachers K-12, Teacher Leaders (Coordinators - Counselors - Coaches), School Leaders, District/Network Leaders, Policy Makers
TOPIC Diversity Equity and Sense of Belonging, School/Classroom Culture, Student Agency

4:30pm PDT

Curiosity Reclaimed: It Didn't Kill the Cat!

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

High Tech Middle 114

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

Sarah Gerlinger

Coordinator of Curriculum and Instruction, Los Altos School District

Monday March 30, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
High Tech Middle 114

Workshop Round 1

AUDIENCE All Teachers K-12, Teacher Leaders (Coordinators - Counselors - Coaches), School Leaders
TOPIC Instructional Design & Practices, School/Classroom Culture, Student Agency

4:30pm PDT

Enduring Engagement Through Authentic Assessment

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

High Tech High 146

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

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

Workshop Round 1

AUDIENCE K-12 Students, Middle Grade Teachers (6-8), School Leaders
TOPIC Assessment, Instructional Design & Practices, School/Classroom Culture, Student Agency

4:30pm PDT

Rethinking Stress to Nurture Thriving Learners

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

High Tech Middle 107

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

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 →

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

Workshop Round 1, Ancestral Intelligence

AUDIENCE K-12 Students, Parents, All Teachers K-12, School Leaders, District/Network Leaders
TOPIC School/Classroom Culture, Social Emotional Learning, Student Agency

9:30am PDT

Empowering Educators to Lead Fieldwork: Doing More with Less

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

High Tech High 105

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

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 →

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

Deep Dive, Abundant Imagination

9:30am PDT

ENGAGE! Designing Innovative Project-Based Experiences

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

High Tech Middle 113

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

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 →

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

Deep Dive, Arts Integration

AUDIENCE All Teachers K-12, Teacher Leaders (Coordinators - Counselors - Coaches), School Leaders, District/Network Leaders, College/University Faculty
TOPIC Instructional Design & Practices, Intro to Deeper Learning, Student Agency

9:30am PDT

Lessons that Inspire: Deeper Instruction Strategies

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

High Tech High 144

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

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

Deep Dive

AUDIENCE K-12 Students, All Teachers K-12, Teacher Leaders (Coordinators - Counselors - Coaches), School Leaders, District/Network Leaders
TOPIC Instructional Design & Practices, Intro to Deeper Learning, Student Agency

9:30am PDT

Rewrite the Script: Redefining School Through Storytelling and Pathways

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

High Tech Middle 119

In this interactive deep dive led by Creating Creators, Santa Ana Unified School District’s Saintly Films, & What School Could Be facilitators, participants will reimagine a favorite lesson by embedding narrative filmmaking strategies aligned with academic standards. Using a PBL framework & AI tools, they will explore the creative process from brainstorming driving questions, scriptwriting, storyboarding, filming, & editing to produce a one-minute video artifact & lesson outline. The session offers firsthand experience with creative media to elevate learning, foster belonging, & engage diverse learners.

Participants will leave with tools, templates, & a replicable framework to integrate filmmaking into classrooms across grade levels & subject areas. This session is designed for teachers, instructional coaches, & school leaders seeking equitable, student-centered practices that make learning more meaningful & engaging.

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

Eric Timmons

Arts Funding Coordinator, Dept. Chair and Teacher, Santa Ana Unified School District

Jessica Just

CEO, Creating Creators

Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
High Tech Middle 119

Deep Dive, Artificial Intelligence

AUDIENCE All Teachers K-12, Teacher Leaders (Coordinators - Counselors - Coaches), District/Network Leaders, Policy Makers, Consultants
TOPIC College & Career Pathways, Social Emotional Learning, Student Agency

9:30am PDT

Students Are the Curriculum and the Community Is the School

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

High Tech High 164

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

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 →

Dr. Sonn Sam

National Director of Partnerships, Big Picture Learning

Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:30am - 2:45pm PDT
High Tech High 164

Deep Dive, Ancestral Intelligence

AUDIENCE All Teachers K-12, School Leaders, District/Network Leaders
TOPIC College & Career Pathways, School Transformation/Systems Change, Student Agency

10:00am PDT

Building Ecosystems of Mattering in Schools

Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT

High Tech Middle 113

Speakers

Dr. Scott Martin

Executive Director, Odyssey Leadership Academy

Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
High Tech Middle 113

Workshop Round 2

AUDIENCE All Teachers K-12, Teacher Leaders (Coordinators - Counselors - Coaches), School Leaders, District/Network Leaders, Policy Makers
TOPIC Diversity Equity and Sense of Belonging, School/Classroom Culture, Student Agency

10:00am PDT

Developing Authentic Audiences for PBL

Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT

High Tech High 146

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

Dolan Morgan

Senior Director of Programs, Internationals Network

Sevana Sammis

Manager of Professional Development, Internationals Network

Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
High Tech High 146

Workshop Round 2, Abundant Imagination

10:00am PDT

How to Craft Movement Stories

Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT

High Tech Middle 116

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

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 →

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 →

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

Workshop Round 2, Arts Integration

10:00am PDT

Leveling Up: How Play Builds SEL Muscles in Adolescents

Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT

High Tech High 144

Are you ready to play? This session invites participants to reconsider the crucial role that play has in learning—not just in early childhood, but throughout adolescence. Together we will explore the research on adolescent learners, examine the impact of play on their engagement, creativity, and social-emotional development, and identify ways play can be meaningfully woven into middle school practice. Designed for teachers and school leaders, this session is both hands-on and practical, ensuring participants walk away empowered to play—with adolescents in mind!

Speakers

Aaryn Drapiza

Lead Middle School Educator, The Village School

Hello everyone! I am a middle school guide (educator) at The Village School, a learner-centered micro school in Arlington, VA, where I work with learners in grades 6–8. I began my education journey with elementary learners in grades 1–5, and the insights I gained from those foundational... Read More →

Bridget Yoko

Head of Counseling, The Village School

Learning and education are my passion! I have been in education since 2006 when I started as a volunteer in my local public school district. I have taught third grade, fifth grade, advanced academics, and currently, I am teaching (or as we call it at The Village School, guiding... Read More →

Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
High Tech High 144

Workshop Round 2, Abundant Imagination

AUDIENCE Primary Teachers (K-5), Middle Grade Teachers (6-8)
TOPIC Social Emotional Learning, Student Agency, Diversity Equity and Sense of Belonging

10:00am PDT

Social Emotional Leadership Tools for Students

Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT

High Tech High 117

In this workshop, you won’t just learn about social and emotional leadership skills—you’ll practice how to teach them. You’ll take part in activities that model strategies for helping students develop self-leadership skills like self-awareness, accountability, resilience, and integrity. Through focused protocols and collaborative exercises, you’ll experience how to guide students in building the skills for leading with others, including collaboration, communication, active listening, respect, and consideration. You’ll also design and test out lesson activities that encourage students to expand their leadership impact by cultivating visionary thinking, motivation, encouragement, and confidence. By the end of the session, you’ll leave with practical tools, ready-to-use strategies, and hands-on experience to bring back to your classroom.

Speakers

Sandra Mings Lamar

Director, Adult Education, St. Johnsbury Academy

My work in Deeper Learning began as a Peace Corps volunteer, teaching in a small village in Botswana. After completing my MA on a Peace Corps Fellowship at San Francisco State University, I served as founding teacher and administrator at New Technology High School, the founding school... Read More →

Terha Steen

Academic Dean, Lyndon Institute

Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
High Tech High 117

Workshop Round 2

AUDIENCE K-12 Students, Parents, Middle Grade Teachers (6-8), High School Teachers (9-12), Teacher Leaders (Coordinators - Counselors - Coaches)
TOPIC Social Emotional Learning, Student Agency, Diversity Equity and Sense of Belonging

10:00am PDT

Student Voice Data: Building Safer Schools

Wednesday April 1, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT

High Tech Middle 108

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