Deeper Learning New York: Full Schedule

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8:00am EDT

Breakfast and Celebration of Learning

Wednesday July 15, 2026 8:00am - 8:30am EDT

Breakfast/Lunch

8:30am EDT

Opening Remarks

Wednesday July 15, 2026 8:30am - 8:45am EDT

The Arena

Speakers

Dr. Jonah Schenker

District Superintendent & Chief Executive Officer, Ulster BOCES

Wednesday July 15, 2026 8:30am - 8:45am EDT
The Arena

8:45am EDT

Shape Tomorrow’s Skills, Today (Keynote)

Wednesday July 15, 2026 8:45am - 9:45am EDT

The Arena

As new technologies catalyze changes in the workplace, learning environments are impacted as well. Students must build and develop new skills to succeed in the classroom and beyond. And it’s more important than ever to empower educators to teach those skills. Join Apple to discuss how to invest in your educators so they have the technology and tools needed to engage, instruct, and assess students so they thrive today and into the future.

Wednesday July 15, 2026 8:45am - 9:45am EDT
The Arena

Keynote

10:00am EDT

5 Rules For Igniting a Leadership Legacy

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT

Orange 1

Description:
Great leadership isn’t just about strategy…it’s about your Story, your WHY, and your Purpose. Into the Fire: 5 Rules for Igniting a Leadership Legacy is a transformational workshop designed to inspire and equip leaders to embrace their own stories, empower their teams, and find clarity in their purpose.
Through dynamic storytelling and interactive discussions, Dr. Beck will guide participants through the 5 Rules that define powerful leadership. Each rule is built on personal experience, hard-won lessons, and real-life leadership stories of those who have overcome adversity to lead with impact.
Attendees will connect their own leadership journeys, leaving them empowered to ignite their legacy and lead with purpose.
Key Takeaways:
-Your story fuels your leadership…your journey and experiences shape the foundation of how you lead and inspire others.
-Legacy is built through action…apply the five rules to elevate your impact and lead with lasting purpose.
-Purpose ignites performance…clarity in your “why” drives motivation and strengthens team culture.

Speakers

Dr. Brandon Beck

Teacher, Speaker, Leadership Coach, Unlocking Unlimited Potential

Dr. Brandon Beck is an award-winning coach, teacher, and leadership expert with over two decades of experience in education and athletics. He is a highly sought-after Keynote Speaker and Leadership Coach who is dedicated to helping leaders cultivate unshakeable confidence in an ever-evolving... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
Orange 1

Den Talks- Round 1

10:00am EDT

Are you unintentionally educating your students for an unsustainable future?

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT

Orange 2

Jaimie will use the classic Deeper Learning structure to lead a conversation exploring examples of “education for unsustainability” currently present in curricula and academic standards. Participants will have the opportunity to share what they are seeing and doing in their schools and classrooms, as well as how these practices may correlate with students’ mindsets.
The session will include discussion and Q&A focused on intentional shifts in language and practice that can lead to profoundly different student learning and action outcomes.
All participants will receive:

A self-directed, step-by-step guide to aligning and integrating Education for Sustainability (EfS) enduring understandings, standards, and performance indicators into core curriculum, unit by unit; and
A simple audit tool for school leaders that connects core curriculum with students’ mindsets related to sustainability.

Together, these resources provide a clear rationale for “sustainabilizing” all PreK–12 curriculum.

Speakers

Jaimie Cloud

President and Founder, The Cloud Institute for Sustainability Education

Jaimie P. Cloud is the founder and president of the Cloud Institute for Sustainability Education in New York City. The Cloud Institute is dedicated to the vital role of education in creating awareness, fostering commitment, and guiding actions toward a healthy, secure and sustainable... Read More →

Ulster BOCES DLNY2026 Jaimie Cloud Presentation July 15, 2026 pdf

Jaimie s 3 Step Guide Toward Educating Students for A Sustainable Future pdf

EfS Standards & Performance Indicators 05.24.2026 pdf

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
Orange 2

Den Talks- Round 1

10:00am EDT

Can't Unsee It! Data, Equity, and the Journey to Systems Change

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT

Orange 3

When you start looking at data through an equity lens, you reach a point of no return: you simply "can't unsee it." This session explores how the Dobbs Ferry school district transformed raw numbers into powerful narratives to drive systemic change for all students, from those requiring intensive support to those in accelerated programs. We will go behind the scenes of a multi-year journey that moved staff from some data-reluctance to becoming passionate change agents, utilizing tools like early warning dashboards for PK programs and "double dose" instructional strategies for ENL and Literacy to deliver measurable results.
Participants will dive into the practical "how-to" of instructional leadership, focusing on how to close the circle of understanding for teachers through sub-score analysis while taking time to grapple with and solve one of their own district issues. We will discuss the essential role of leadership to drive change, seek specific PD to drive classroom instruction and empower their staff to be accountable. From navigating the timeline of cultural shifts to implementing a more rigorous DEI-focused curriculum, this session provides a roadmap for leaders ready to believe in data and use it to empower instructional coaches and faculty alike. To begin the journey, let's ask ourselves to take an Assessment Audit and consider the type and kind of assessments we use to measure our students: Assessment Audit

Speakers

Dr. Darrell Stinchcomb

Assistant Superintendent Curriculum, Instruction and Equity, Dobbs Ferry UFSD

Alex MacKinnon

New York Thought Leader, Linkit!

Excited for DeeperLearningNY! I've been a thought leader in schools and BOCES and proud to call the Hudson Valley my home. I'll be presenting with Darrell Stinchcomb about the beauty of data as change agents and leaders who can't "un-see" data. By understanding Dobbs Ferry's experience... Read More →

DLNY2026 LinkIt pdf

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
Orange 3

Den Talks- Round 1

10:00am EDT

Elevating Elementary Student Voice: From Mission Statement to Daily Practice

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT

Yellow 4

Many schools reference student voice in their mission statements, yet bringing that idea to life in the day-to-day operations of a school is a far greater challenge—and an even greater reward. This session explores how one elementary school moved from “Is this possible?” to “This is who we are.”

Participants will learn how student voice became central to building leadership and culture through intentional structures and innovative practices. The presenter will share the journey of transforming the Building Leadership Team to include and prioritize student perspectives, along with practical examples such as The Passion Fair, The Student Success Parade, and Student-Led Building Leadership Teams.

Attendees will engage in reflective discussion and collaborative planning time to design strategies that elevate student voice in their own schools—moving beyond symbolic inclusion to authentic empowerment.

Speakers

Kris Giangreco

Principal, Saugerties Central School District

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
Yellow 4

Den Talks- Round 1

10:00am EDT

From Vision to Action: Bringing Project Based Learning for All To Life (With PBL Works)

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT

Yellow 3

Every leader wants deeper learning for students—but turning that vision into reality takes more than inspiration. It takes culture, structure, and courage. In this informal Den Talk, Bob Lenz—co-author of Project Based Learning for All: A Leader’s Guide—invites you to dig into what it really looks like to lead school- and system-wide change. Hear stories of schools that are doing it, reflect on your own leadership journey, and join a candid discussion about what’s hard, what’s hopeful, and what’s next for making PBL accessible to every student.

Speakers

Bob Lenz

PBLWorks, CEO

Bob Lenz became CEO of PBLWorks in 2015, leading the organization’s mission to ensure high-quality Project Based Learning reaches all students. Before joining PBLWorks, he co-founded Envision Education and served as its CEO and Chief of Innovation, pioneering a successful school... Read More →

Taya Tselolikhina

Director of District & School Leadership, PBLWorks

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
Yellow 3

Den Talks- Round 1

10:00am EDT

JUST ADDED- Protect Your Learning Environment with Checkpoint External Risk Management.

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT

Green 1

Have the ability to prevent compromises with Checkpoint’s External Risk Management. Our dashboard shows what attackers can see, why it’s necessary to act and how to remediate the threat.

Speakers

Stacey Redmond

Ronald Redmond

Alexandra Hall

Jeanine Gardone

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
Green 1

Den Talks- Round 1

10:00am EDT

Leading Teams Through Accelerated Change

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT

Green 3

Districts are managing more simultaneous initiatives than ever—AI policies, curriculum overhauls, mental health programs, budget pressures—with fewer people. Leading for deeper learning requires teams that can stay aligned and execute under pressure without burning out. This session explores what effective leadership teams are doing differently. We'll look at trends shaping 2026, share what's working across districts, and give participants practical tools for navigating change together.

Speakers

Martín Blank

Founder, School Wellbeing Solutions

Martín Blank is fascinated by one question: Why do some leadership teams bring out the best in each other while others slowly wear people down? That question led him from the classroom and school leadership to the University of Pennsylvania's Master of Applied Positive Psychology... Read More →

Stephanie Laffin

Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum & Instruction, Onteora Central School District

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
Green 3

Den Talks- Round 1

10:00am EDT

Rising Together: Supporting and Sustaining Women Leaders

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT

Green 2

This session explores innovative and authentic leadership of women leaders. The session will highlight the way women leaders have achieved successes and the unique challenges they continue to navigate. Participants will examine how gender expectations, organizational culture, and systemic barriers shape leadership journeys, while also recognizing the strengths women bring to leadership. The session emphasizes practical strategies for leading with authenticity, using one’s voice as an advocate for equity and change, and redefining leadership on one’s own terms. In addition, participants will explore intentional ways to support, sponsor, and cultivate women leaders by focusing on leadership pipelines, confidence-building, and creating cultures where women are encouraged to step into leadership roles without compromising their authenticity.

Speakers

Jazz Conboy

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
Green 2

Den Talks- Round 1

10:00am EDT

STEAM Bus: Driving Innovation and Career Readiness

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT

On the BUS!

Join us for an immersive, hands-on session aboard the WSWHE BOCES STEAM Bus to explore how mobile learning hubs can revolutionize CTE and career connectivity. In this "play and learn" environment, you’ll discover how to empower students with voice, choice, and innovative technology while gaining a behind the scenes look at the logistics required to bring these dynamic experiences to your own district. From sparking curiosity to building tangible skills, you’ll leave with a clear roadmap for driving real world, student centered innovation directly into your schools.

Speakers

Laurie Guyon

Lead Coordinator for Instructional Technology Programs, WSWHE BOCES

Laurie Guyon is the Lead Coordinator for Instructional Technology Programs at WSWHE BOCES, the Capital Region Director for NYSCATE, and an Adjunct Professor at Manhattanville University. As an award-winning leader in educational technology, her recognition includes the ISTE 20 to... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
On the BUS!

Den Talks- Round 1

10:00am EDT

Teacher evaluation with Kim Marshall!

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT

Blue 1

Teacher evaluation is widely regarded as a compliance exercise and contributed little to teaching and learning. Kim has pioneered a more promising approach: short, frequent, systematic classroom visits always followed by a face-to-face conversation with the teacher, using a rubric at the end of the school year to sum up these conversations and other points of contact. Kim is also piloting an AI tool that deftly summarizes these conversations, building co-ownership and saving paperwork. This approach promises to affirm what's going well in classrooms and continuously improve day-to-day teaching and learning.

Speakers

Kim Marshall

Writer/Consultant, Marshall Memo

Kim was a Boston teacher, central office curriculum director, and principal in the Boston schools for 32 years. He now coaches principals, consults on teacher evaluation and school leadership, and publishes the weekly Marshall Memo summarizing K-12 research and ideas.

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
Blue 1

Den Talks- Round 1

10:00am EDT

Tour of iPark

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT

Registration Desk

Step inside iPark, our state-of-the-art CTE building where students engage in hands-on, career-connected learning across a wide range of fields. From engineering and health sciences to culinary arts and digital media, each space is designed to mirror real-world industry environments. Visitors will see how students actively collaborate, problem-solve, and apply their skills in authentic, project-based ways. The tour, given by our student ambassadors, highlights how iPark connects classroom learning to future career pathways through innovative programming and industry partnerships. Experience firsthand how deeper learning comes to life when students are empowered to build, create, and explore their passions.

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
Registration Desk

Den Talks- Round 1

10:00am EDT

Vision for Success Through Portrait of a Graduate: Future Readiness with Northport-East Northport & Discovery Education.

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT

Green 4

Across New York, a shared vision for student success is taking shape: one that emphasizes holistic approaches and future readiness to build strong relationships and rigorous learning communities. As educators continue to rethink student success, join us as we explore how districts, like Northport - East Northport U.F.S.D., are combining their instruction with solutions offered through Discovery Education to demonstrate the Portrait through embodying cultural responsiveness and authentic application of necessary skills. We welcome all leaders and district administrators to join our session and share your experiences in shaping Portrait of a Graduate within your classrooms and beyond!

Speakers

Leia Depalo

Elementary STEM and Future Forward Teacher, Northport-East Northport School District

Gregory Anderson

Educational Partnerships Manager - Channel / NY BOCES K12 - K12 - National Sales, Discovery Ed

Nicole LoGatto

Education Partnerships Manager, Discovery Education

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
Green 4

Den Talks- Round 1

10:00am EDT

We Need to Educate a Generation of Solutionaries!

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT

Green 5

Do we want our students to be future ready problem solvers who are able to address challenges they care about in their schools and communities? If so, we need to teach them how to engage in deep inquiry and support them to take meaningful action. The Solutionary Framework can be used across grade levels and content areas to support students to lean in and step up. There is no better leadership training we can offer!

Through active learning approaches and dialogue, participants will consider how solutionary teaching and learning can help students develop all of the skills described in the NYS Portrait of a Graduate. We will use video, student work samples, and project examples to show what this can look like in different school settings. This is an excellent session for school and district administrators and teacher leaders who are looking for practical ways to make shift happen.

Speakers

Julie Meltzer

Director of K-12 and Teacher Education, Institute for Humane Education

I am passionate about supporting others to design and facilitate meaningful inquiry to action projects with students. I believe that all students should have multiple opportunities throughout their time in school to work on addressing issues they care about in their schools and communities... Read More →

Betsy Farrell-Messenger

Facilitator of Solutionary Teaching and Learning, Institute for Humane Education

I truly believe together we can strive to make the world a better place for people, animals and the environment by becoming solutionaries. I deeply enjoy facilitating and supporting teachers giving students voice, agency and optimism through inquiry to action projects within their... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
Green 5

Den Talks- Round 1

10:00am EDT

Witness to History: (Mobile Museums of Tolerance BUS)

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT

On the BUS!

Speakers

Lindsay Brill

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
On the BUS!

Den Talks- Round 1

10:55am EDT

Aligned by Design: How Districts Are Using AI to Drive Student Achievement and Teach AI Literacy

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:55am - 11:45am EDT

Yellow 3

Giving students access to AI is not the same as teaching them how to use it responsibly. Generic chatbots were built for consumers, not classrooms and that difference matters. In this session, MagicSchool will walk through what a safe, structured student AI experience actually looks like in practice: how curriculum alignment drives better learning outcomes, the role of teacher and administrative oversight, and how to bring parents along in a way that builds trust rather than resistance. Attendees will leave with a practical framework and ready to use materials for implementing student AI literacy in their district.

Speakers

Dr. Juli Ross-Kleinmann

Supervisor of instructional Services~Educator Edge, Ulster BOCES

Julianne Ross-Kleinmann is the Supervisor of Instructional Services for Model Schools and Virtual Learning at Ulster BOCES, where she helps educators design meaningful, future-focused learning experiences. She is passionate about helping schools thoughtfully integrate instructional... Read More →

Becky Luetjen

Account Executive, MagicSchool

Becky, an Account Executive at MagicSchool, has over 12 years of experience in education. She taught high school English, developed district-wide curriculum, and served as a school librarian. Having witnessed both the impact of great teaching and the growing burnout among educators... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:55am - 11:45am EDT
Yellow 3

Den Talks

10:55am EDT

Assessment for the Future: Leading a Culture Shift Towards Performance Assessments and Presentations of Learning

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:55am - 11:45am EDT

Orange 1

What does it look like when students stop performing for a grade and start performing for an audience? Over the past two years, Saugerties Central School District has been doing exactly that work: building a culture where assessment means something real.
In this Den Talk, leaders and teachers share the on-the-ground story of launching Presentations of Learning and our journey as a PLAN Pilot school. We'll share about the resistance we encountered, and the mindset shifts that made the difference. Whether you're just beginning to question your school's relationship with traditional assessment or you're deep in the work of reimagining it, this session is designed for you. Come ready to share your own experience, this is as much a conversation as it is a presentation.
Participants will leave with:

A real-world model for piloting performance assessment at the 6-12 level
Practical advice for leading staff, students, and community through a culture shift
Honest lessons from the field, including the messy middle
A collegial conversation about what assessment can and should look like for the students in front of us today

Speakers

Chelsea Defino

Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, Saugerties Central School District

Chelsea Defino is the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment at Saugerties Central Schools, where she leads professional learning around project-based and performance-based instruction, equity, and student empowerment. A former NASA Endeavor STEM Teaching Fellow and NYC... Read More →

Squires

Assessments for the Future Den Talk DLNY26 pdf

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:55am - 11:45am EDT
Orange 1

Den Talks

10:55am EDT

Co-Creating Culture with the Voices That Matter Most: The Power of Youth Participatory Action Research in Schools

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:55am - 11:45am EDT

Orange 2

Every year, schools roll out new initiatives to fix culture, boost engagement, or address behavior but too often, the people most impacted by those issues aren’t at the table. In this interactive session, teachers and school leaders will explore how Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) can serve as a powerful, restorative tool to reimagine their school and classroom culture with students, not for them.

Grounded in real school-based examples, this session walks teachers and leaders through how to design and implement a YPAR project from identifying a challenge to guiding students through research, data collection, solution design, and action. Participants will learn how YPAR builds students’ leadership, confidence, and advocacy skills while also helping educators and administrators develop actionable, student-informed strategies that heal culture, not police it.

By the end of the session, teachers and leaders will walk away with a framework for launching YPAR in their context, strategies to use student voice as a driver of school culture transformation, concrete examples of how YPAR has addressed issues like attendance, relationships, and academic engagement. This is about more than checking a box for student voice, it’s about letting students help you rebuild what’s broken for them by them.

Speakers

Evalaurene Jean-Charles

CEO & Founder, Black on Black Eduaction

I’m a middle school history teacher who got into education to help students fall in love with learning and quickly realized the system wasn’t built for that.
That realization led me to found Black on Black Education, coach educators nationally, design student voice curriculum... Read More →

Jazmine Jackson

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:55am - 11:45am EDT
Orange 2

Den Talks

10:55am EDT

Future Proofing Learning Spaces: Designing for Technology, AI, and Human Centered Learning (Steelcase)

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:55am - 11:45am EDT

Orange 3

Schools are accelerating their adoption of technology and stepping into the era of AI-enhanced teaching and learning. Yet the success of these tools depends far less on the technology itself—and far more on the physical learning environment that supports real‑time collaboration, multimodal instruction, power access, and student movement.
This session, adapted from Jerry Brown’s talk at the City Universities of New York, helps district leaders understand how to furture proof their learning environments using evidence‑based design, peer reviewed, industry research, and emerging insights on AI‑driven workflows. Participants will explore a practical, research‑backed framework for designing spaces that support the hear, near, and far trends in classroom design.
The session includes an interactive AI agent simulation, demonstrating in real time how AI‑supported collaboration changes student behavior, cognitive load, and space requirements.

Speakers

Jerry Brown

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:55am - 11:45am EDT
Orange 3

Den Talks

10:55am EDT

How Educating Students to be Solutionaries Fits Hand in Hand with NY Inspires

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:55am - 11:45am EDT

Green 5

Looking for ways to make shift happen?! Explore how integrating the Institute for Humane Education's free Solutionary Framework into teaching and learning can effectively develop the student competencies outlined in the NY Inspires Framework and what that could look like in your school or district.

Speakers

Julie Meltzer

Director of K-12 and Teacher Education, Institute for Humane Education

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:55am - 11:45am EDT
Green 5

Den Talks

10:55am EDT

Improving School-Family Communication

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:55am - 11:45am EDT

Green 4

Research shows school professionals that communicate regularly and frequently with families result in students that have improved academic achievement and overall better health and wellbeing throughout their K-12 years. Although it is clear that school professional - family communication is vital in student success, the process can be cumbersome, challenging and frustrating if the correct tools are not available. This interactive presentation will identify myriad options, based on a comparative analysis, and use real time engagement with audience participation to demonstrate applications that are available to all school professionals from District Office leaders to frontline team members (including Building Leaders and Faculty) to communicate with students’ families, even when there is a difference in primary language.

Speakers

Dr. Charles R. Davis

Healthcare Professional - School Nurse - Researcher - Author, Croton Harmon Union Free School District

Charles R. Davis, Ph.D., MSN, FNP-C, RN is a practicing school nurse with Pierre Van Cortlandt Middle School (Croton-on-Hudson, NY) Charles is also a family nurse practitioner that practices patient-centered care that uses nursing model of delivering evidence-based healthcare to... Read More →

Christopher Santiago

Teacher, Croton Harmon UFSD

Christopher Santiago, MAT, MA, is a middle school music teacher with 20+ years in K-12 education, including special education.

Seven years ago he began exploring artificial intelligence and its implications for teaching and learning. Since then, he has earned GenAI Trainer credentials, piloted an AI Literacy elective for middle schoolers, and facilitated AI literacy courses for PNW BOCES and Day of AI. He... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:55am - 11:45am EDT
Green 4

Den Talks

10:55am EDT

Integrating NY Inspires into the Standards

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:55am - 11:45am EDT

Green 1

What does it look like to turn student climate anxiety into climate action through education? When climate literacy becomes embedded in every student’s learning experience? This hands-on workshop, led by Gaia Scholastic and SubjectToClimate, explores practical, replicable examples of standards-aligned, sustainability-focused instruction to support educators and administrators in meeting the NY Inspires mandate.

The session will cover core principles of environmental and climate literacy, as well as the pedagogical research behind integrating sustainability across disciplines. New information will include model units, district implementation strategies, and tools for aligning environmental education with local and national standards, including NGSS, social studies, and other content area frameworks. Participants will engage in guided analysis of their own curricula or school programs to identify opportunities for embedding environmental learning without starting from scratch.

Participants will leave with tangible strategies for making environmental literacy a foundational part of their school or district’s identity. Whether you’re an educator, administrator, or sustainability coordinator, this session provides a roadmap for turning climate literacy policy into real-world practice with the support of tools, frameworks, and partnerships that make change possible.

Speakers

Rachel Arbor

CEO & Founder; NY State Lead, Gaia Scholastic; SubjectToClimate

Rachel Arbor is a Presidential Award winner whose work has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, the EPA, and the White House. She is the CEO and Founder of Gaia Scholastic and the NY State Lead for SubjectToClimate. For both of these roles, her mission is to cul... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:55am - 11:45am EDT
Green 1

Den Talks

10:55am EDT

Marshall Memo With Kim Marshall!

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:55am - 11:45am EDT

Blue 1

Kim publishes the weekly Marshall Memo, summarizing ideas and research from 60+ publications. This workshop will take you inside the sausage factory and suggest five ways you can use the Marshall Memo as professional development for yourself and to promote positive change among your colleagues. Kim will provide a complimentary subscription to the Memo for attendees.

Speakers

Kim Marshall

Writer/Consultant, Marshall Memo

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:55am - 11:45am EDT
Blue 1

Den Talks

10:55am EDT

STEAM Bus: Driving Innovation and Career Readiness

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:55am - 11:45am EDT

On the BUS!

Speakers

Laurie Guyon

Lead Coordinator for Instructional Technology Programs, WSWHE BOCES

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:55am - 11:45am EDT
On the BUS!

Den Talks

10:55am EDT

The Innovation Mixtape: A Portrait of a Graduate Playlist Rooted in Authenticity and Storytelling

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:55am - 11:45am EDT

Green 3

The best mixtapes aren’t just collections of songs; they are stories told through sound. Education is no different: the best learning is authentic, rhythmic, and full of soul. In this interactive Den Talk, we’re using a curated mixtape of music and video to bridge the gap between a static Portrait of a Graduate that lives on walls and websites to one that is living, breathing, iterating, and deep in the culture of your district.

Whether it’s the macro of redesigning assessment or the micro of a vibrant approach to student exhibitions, you’ll walk away with a playlist of actionable ideas to start "playing" at your school in August and September.

Speakers

Aaron Schorn

Head of Growth and Community, Unrulr

Aaron is a father, teacher, and learner. Aaron is Head of Growth and Learning at Unrulr, where he works to make learning visible and joyful. He is also a teacher, program director, and co-designer of student-agency-driven learning communities around the globe. His work is focused on apprenticeship, craftsmanship, storytelling, and providing youth with the space, time... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:55am - 11:45am EDT
Green 3

Den Talks

10:55am EDT

Tour of iPark

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:55am - 11:45am EDT

Registration Desk

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:55am - 11:45am EDT
Registration Desk

Den Talks

10:55am EDT

Witness to History: (Mobile Museums of Tolerance BUS)

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:55am - 11:45am EDT

On the BUS!

Speakers

Lindsay Brill

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:55am - 11:45am EDT
On the BUS!

Den Talks

11:45am EDT

DLNY Playground

Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:45am - 1:00pm EDT

Second Floor

The DLNY Playground is a vibrant, interactive space where participants can explore innovative ideas, instructional practices, technology, and resources that support deeper learning.
Unlike a traditional exhibit hall, the Playground is designed for hands-on discovery and conversation. Throughout the conference, educators, organizations, schools, and partners will offer live demonstrations, showcase inspiring work, and invite participants to ask questions, experiment, and make meaningful connections.
Whether you're looking for new classroom strategies, innovative tools, student-centered learning experiences, or simply your next great idea, the Playground is the place to explore, connect, and be inspired.
Stop by throughout the conference—there's always something new to discover!

We hope you make your schedule to rotate to a new vendor every 20 minutes. Please include time for your lunch! There is a schedule maker to help you with this below. Our two busses (STEAM Bus and Mobile Museum will also be open for exploration at this time- please visit them outside!)

Check out our vendors and schedule maker

Get to know our vendors

Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:45am - 1:00pm EDT
Second Floor

Playground

12:40pm EDT

Crew Advisory Meet Up

Wednesday July 15, 2026 12:40pm - 1:00pm EDT

Green 3

Throughout DLNY26, we’re offering an optional CREW Advisory experience designed to help you get even more out of your time at the conference.
Led by partners from New Tech Network, with reflection prompts inspired by the Deeper Learning Dozen (Harvard University), these short, structured touchpoints are built to help you pause, process, and apply your learning in real time. Whether you’re attending solo or with a team, CREW offers a space to synthesize ideas, connect insights across sessions, and begin translating your experience into meaningful next steps for your school or district.
🕒 CREW Meet-Ups:

July 13: 3:15–3:30 (If you are at the pre-conference!)
July 14: 11:45–12:05 & 3:00–3:20
July 15: 12:40–1:00

These brief sessions are intentionally scheduled to not interfere with your selected sessions, but rather to enhance your overall DLNY experience.

Whether you're looking to deepen your own reflection or align learning with your district team, CREW Advisory is a powerful way to make your DLNY experience stick. All are welcome.

Speakers

Stacia Snow

Senior Director of Service Design, New Tech Network

Stacia Snow has been leading change in education for the last 20 years in the classroom as a teacher, then as a district coach and now with the New Tech Network (NTN), a leading non-profit national school development organization, as the Senior Director of Service Design & Development... Read More →

Shannon Doody

Director of District and School Success, New Tech Network

Creating authentic, engaging student experiences K-12 is my passion! I've worked in education leadership in varying capacities for 10 years, from state level career pathway work in Indiana to leading city based continuous improvement in Chicago and Tulsa. Now I work for New Tech... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 12:40pm - 1:00pm EDT
Green 3

Crew Advisory Meet Up

1:00pm EDT

Ban It, Build With It, or Guide It?

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT

Orange 1

Artificial intelligence is changing the game for students and teachers alike but how do we lead through it?

Join this interactive Den Talk to dive into the real, everyday decisions educators are navigating right now. From students using AI on assignments, to teachers leveraging it for lesson planning, we’ll walk through authentic scenarios, confront the ethical implications, and discuss how to maintain a critical lens to ensure AI creates equitable access for all learners.

We are here to talk about how we balance innovation with responsibility. True leadership means preparing students for an AI-driven world, not just by teaching them how to use these tools, but by empowering them to question, challenge, and direct them with purpose.

Speakers

Marlene Rookwood

Administrator, NYCPS

I am an experienced educational leader committed to creating equitable, inclusive learning environments where every student and educator can thrive. My work is grounded in instructional leadership, the Data Wise Improvement Process, MTSS, and the responsible integration of AI to strengthen... Read More →

Leading Schools in the Age of AI (1) pdf

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT
Orange 1

Workshop in Current Topics

1:00pm EDT

Fireside Chat

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT

The Arena

Speakers

Aurora Kushner

VP, School Programming and Impact, NYC Outward Bound Schools

Always looking for the joyful convergence between equity-centered deeper learning and improvement.

Jim May

President and CEO, New Tech Network

Jim May is the president & CEO of New Tech Network (NTN), a national education nonprofit transforming K-12 public education. Since joining NTN in 2011 as a School Development Coach, he has held multiple leadership roles, returning in 2022 after a brief hiatus to co-lead the organization... Read More →

Dr. Jonah Schenker

District Superintendent & Chief Executive Officer, Ulster BOCES

Kim Marshall

Writer/Consultant, Marshall Memo

Bob Lenz

PBL Works

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT
The Arena

Workshop in Current Topics

1:00pm EDT

Portrait to Practice: Assess What Matters

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT

Blue 1

In a world of AI, what should assessment and instruction look like? Are isolated academic skills as valuable as the learning outcomes in the NY Portrait of a Graduate? How do we move beyond compliance in our schools to an environment that truly promotes the student learning that matters?
Join us as we move from story to application around these critical questions. We’ll ground ourselves in a case study of Tech Valley High School, examining assessment artifacts and frameworks to think critically together about what strong assessment for learning looks like.

Speakers

Shannon Doody

Director of District and School Success, New Tech Network

Amy Hawrylchak

Chief Academic Officer/Principal, Tech Valley High School

Dr. Amy Hawrylchak has served as Chief Academic Officer and Principal of Tech Valley High School since January 2021. She began her career in education as a Spanish and French teacher before transitioning into school leadership, serving as an assistant principal in the Boston area... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT
Blue 1

Workshop in Current Topics

1:00pm EDT

Strategy to Practice: How CUNY/UA Built School-Based Capacity for Responsible AI Use

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT

Orange 2

As districts grapple with how to respond to the rapid emergence of generative AI, many face the same challenge: how to move beyond isolated trainings or vague top-down guidance toward sustainable, school-based adoption that strengthens instruction and aligns with deeper learning principles.
In this session, Azadi Partners—alongside leaders and teacher leaders from New York City Public Schools’ CUNY/Urban Assembly High School District—will share how they partnered to build districtwide capacity for responsible AI use through a combination of system-level professional development and targeted AI Catalyst coaching. Azadi Partners will provide an overview of their approach to supporting AI adoption, including how district-wide PD sessions established shared AI literacy, ethical guardrails, and common instructional use cases, while ongoing coaching supported AI Catalysts—teacher leaders in schools across the CUNY/UA district—to model, extend, and support effective practice.
The session will highlight Azadi Partners’ and CUNY/UA’s shared focus on using AI to strengthen instructional planning, including lesson design, differentiation, assessment planning, and alignment. Throughout, the work centers educators’ expertise, experience, and deep understanding of their students. The CUNY/UA Deputy Superintendent and an AI Catalyst teacher leader will speak directly to the impact of this work, sharing how the professional learning and coaching supported meaningful adoption of AI tools in schools and influenced instructional practice at both the classroom and system levels.
The session will be structured as a facilitated conversation, with opportunities for participants to reflect on the case example, surface questions, and consider how similar approaches might translate to their own districts and schools. Participants will leave with a clear understanding of how a district can build sustainable, school-based capacity for AI adoption through a combination of shared professional learning and embedded teacher leadership. They will gain insight into the structures, design choices, and coaching practices that supported responsible AI use in CUNY/UA schools, along with practical takeaways they can adapt in their own contexts—such as how to identify and support teacher leaders, structure AI-focused professional learning, and focus AI use on strengthening instructional planning while maintaining educator agency and deeper learning priorities.

Speakers

Paul Byrne

Vice President, Azadi Partners

After a career as a teacher, charter school leader, and senior leader at NYC Public Schools, and then some time in the edtech sector, I have co-founded a small educational consulting company - Azadi Partners. We are working to bridge the divide between the edtech companies that are... Read More →

Anusheh Hashim Byrne

Melanie Lee

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT
Orange 2

Workshop in Current Topics

1:00pm EDT

Tool or Tyrant? AI and the K-12 Mind

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT

Orange 3

This Talk will allow educators, administrators, and anyone interested in protecting the sanctity of critical and creative independent thinking, to explore how AI can be introduced as a thought partner rather than something that displaces our own thinking and learning. It draws on some of the thinking of Tristan Harris, who founded Center for Humane Technology (CHT), and deconstructs the dimensions of NYSED's "Portrait of a Graduate" in order to co-construct meaningful measures and ways of developing these wonderful attributes, rather than letting them languish as compelling rhetoric without a map.

Speakers

Emily Asher Abramson

World Language Educator & PhD in Ed. Leadership & Policy (in progress), NECSD

Emily Asher Abramson has been world language educator for 16 years and is currently a PhD student in Educational Leadership & Policy at the University at Albany, where she is the recipient of the Paul Saimond Memorial Scholarship for exceptional academic achievement. A speaker of... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT
Orange 3

Workshop in Current Topics

2:15pm EDT

Wrap Up Closing Circle

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:15pm - 2:30pm EDT

2:30pm EDT

🍦 Ice Cream Truck - take a sweet 'to go' treat on your way home 🍦

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:30pm - 2:45pm EDT

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