Deeper Learning New York

This immersive session invites school and district leaders to experience place-based learning in action through an off-site field experience in Kingston, NY. Led by the O Positive Festival and Newburgh Enlarged City School District, participants will travel by bus to explore Kingston’s renowned murals while learning how public art reflects local history, culture, and community voice.


Using provided iPad devices, leaders will engage in the same type of learning students would experience—mapping a field trip, studying the meaning behind murals, and creating original music, images, and video inspired by what they see. Participants will use tools such as Apple Maps, GarageBand, and iMovie to understand how creative technology can support New York’s Deeper Learning competencies, including authentic learning, student agency, collaboration, and communication.


The session models how districts can design meaningful, standards-aligned field experiences that connect learning to place, elevate creativity, and strengthen community connections.

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.

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.