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. Johah 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

LIMITED

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

Orange 1

Limited Capacity seats available

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?

LIMITED

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

Orange 2

Limited Capacity seats available

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 →

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

LIMITED

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

Orange 3

Limited Capacity seats available

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.

Speakers

Dr. Darrell Stinchcomb

Assistant Superintendent Curriculum, Instruction and Equity, Dobbs Ferry UFSD

Alex MacKinnon

New York Account Director, Linkit!

Ask how Linkit can organize, analyze and store your data 📊 for data visualization, normed across disparate data types. Easily disaggregate data to inform instruction. Our standards-based assessments mirror CBT with bubble sheets; we digitize school assessments, answer keys; teachers... Read More →

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

LIMITED

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

Yellow 4

Limited Capacity seats available

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

Leading Teams Through Accelerated Change

LIMITED

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

Green 3

Limited Capacity seats available

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

School Wellbeing Solutions

Martín Blank is a former teacher and school administrator turned positive psychology practitioner and school consultant. He founded School Wellbeing Solutions with the mission to support school and district leaders to create conditions for thriving environments that support the wellbeing... Read More →

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

LIMITED

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

Yellow 2

Limited Capacity seats available

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
Yellow 2

Den Talks- Round 1

10:00am EDT

STEAM Bus: Driving Innovation and Career Readiness

LIMITED

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

On the BUS!

Limited Capacity seats available

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

Coordinator for Model Schools, WSWHE BOCES

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

Den Talks- Round 1

10:00am EDT

Tour of iPark

LIMITED

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

Registration Desk

Limited Capacity seats available

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 Discovery Education

LIMITED

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

Green 4

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Gregory Anderson

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

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!

LIMITED

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

Green 5

Limited Capacity seats available

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)

LIMITED

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

On the BUS!

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Lindsay Brill

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

Den Talks- Round 1

10:55am EDT

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

LIMITED

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

Orange 1

Limited Capacity seats available

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 the PLAN Pilot We'll share about the resistance we encountered, 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

Squires

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

LIMITED

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

Orange 2

Limited Capacity seats available

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

LIMITED

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

Orange 3

Limited Capacity seats available

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

LIMITED

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

Green 5

Limited Capacity seats available

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

LIMITED

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

Green 4

Limited Capacity seats available

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

Christopher Santiago

Teacher, Croton Harmon UFSD

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 →

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

Den Talks

10:55am EDT

Integrating NY Inspires into the Standards

LIMITED

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

Yellow 1

Limited Capacity seats available

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
Yellow 1

Den Talks

10:55am EDT

Learning Environment: Inspirational Actions, Approaches, and Stories from the Classroom

LIMITED

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

Yellow 2

Limited Capacity seats available

Join Dr. Fox and his former student, turned science teacher, will lead a conversation on practical approaches to designing meaningful learning environments, overcoming school constraints, and prioritizing student voice, place, and purpose to achieve deeper learning.

This Den is intended as a comfortable, discussion-driven space for educators seeking to critically examine what deeper learning looks like in practice. The conversation will use excerpts and frameworks from Learning Environment to guide the discussion.

Remember to bring your copy of Learning Environment for Jared to sign after the conversation. Copies will also be available for purchase at the event.

Speakers

Jared Fox

Educator | Author - Learning Environment Expert, Fox EduConsulting

Dr. Jared Fox is a learning environment expert with over two decades of experience in education, including 17 years as a New York City public school science teacher. His consulting practice combines his research background and practical experience to help schools and organizations... Read More →

Sabrina Diaz

Kristen Phillips

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

Den Talks

10:55am EDT

STEAM Bus: Driving Innovation and Career Readiness

LIMITED

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

On the BUS!

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Laurie Guyon

Coordinator for Model Schools, WSWHE BOCES

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

Den Talks

10:55am EDT

The Innovation Mixtape: Volume 1

LIMITED

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

Yellow 4

Limited Capacity seats available

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 to bridge the gap between "Doing School" and true Deeper Learning.

We’ll explore how innovative leaders are breaking the old loops of traditional schooling to find a more modern beat. You’ll leave with a physical "Tracklist for Innovation," a practical guide that maps each song to a specific Deeper Learning strategy. Whether it’s a new spin on professional development or a fresh approach to student exhibitions, you’ll walk away with a playlist of actionable ideas to start "playing" at your school on Monday morning.

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
Yellow 4

Den Talks

10:55am EDT

Tour of iPark

LIMITED

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

Registration Desk

Limited Capacity seats available

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

Den Talks

10:55am EDT

Witness to History: (Mobile Museums of Tolerance BUS)

LIMITED

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

On the BUS!

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Lindsay Brill

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

Den Talks

11:45am EDT

Playground

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

Second Floor

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

Crew Advisory Meet Up

1:00pm EDT

Empowered Leadership: Using AI and Emotional Intelligence to Reignite Purpose, Creativity, and Equity in Schools

LIMITED

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

Orange 1

Limited Capacity seats available

In this Den Talk, participants will experience how innovative technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) can transform school leadership, instructional design, and equity-driven practices.

Through hands-on engagement, reflection, and collaborative creation, leaders will explore how AI tools can streamline workflows, elevate instructional planning, and inspire creativity—reigniting the joy of teaching and learning.

Speakers

Marlene Rookwood

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

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. Johah Schenker

District Superintendent & Chief Executive Officer, Ulster BOCES

NYSED Commissioner Betty Rosa

Kim Marshall

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

Workshop in Current Topics

1:00pm EDT

Portrait to Practice: Assess What Matters

LIMITED

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

Blue 1

Limited Capacity seats available

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

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 →

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

LIMITED

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

Orange 2

Limited Capacity seats available

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

LIMITED

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

Orange 3

Limited Capacity seats available

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

8:00am EDT

8:30am EDT

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