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Summit

May 15 – 16     |     San Francisco     |     Hilton Union Square

NewSchools Summit is an essential gathering for changemakers seeking fresh perspectives and solutions for a dynamic time in education. Join us for networking, learning, and conversations with inspiring leaders and innovators working to reimagine K-12 education.

Full Schedule

(Click ‘+’ to Expand)

Wednesday, May 15

Location: Golden Gate Ballroom
Food and Beverages Available

  • Welcome Remarks
  • Performance by Chavalos de Aqui y Alla
  • Open Networking

Thursday, May 16

Location: Golden Gate Ballroom

  • Breakfast
  • Open Networking

Location: Union Square 19 and 20

  • Optional (7:30-8:15am) | Coffee and Conversation: AERDF’s $25M Advanced R&D Initiative and Ways to Partner: 
    The Advanced Education Research and Development Fund (AERDF) is looking for visionary education leaders with bold ideas of how to tackle challenges that are under-explored and that would unlock significant new capabilities to transform PreK-12 teaching, learning and assessment systems.

    Grab a coffee with AERDF CEO Auditi Chakravarty and members of her team to learn more about AERDF and an open opportunity to lead AERDF’s next program with a budget of up to $25 million. Feel free to join this casual chat if you’re interested.

Location: Continental Ballroom 4 – 6

 
 
  • Session: “Education Fuels Progress: Reigniting Belief”
    Speakers: Frances Messano (NewSchools), Chip Linehan (Building 21), Tequilla Brownie (TNTP), Michelle Brown (CommonLit), Khalil Graham (Kairos Academies)

    How can we forge ahead and deepen our impact in education during an uncertain and dynamic time? Our opening plenary features a group of visionary leaders who will share how they’ve grown and scaled their  innovations despite challenges. Discover why there’s every reason to be optimistic and how, united by a vision to build a stronger, more inclusive system, we can continue to drive meaningful change.

Location: East Lounge
Snacks and Beverages Available

Location: Continental Ballroom 1 – 2

Speakers: Kayon Pryce, Moderator (Brooklyn STEAM), Michelle Rainey (Da Vinci Schools), Kimberly Neal-Brannum (BELIEVE Schools), Monica White (Elevate Academy Network)

Session: Imagine schools where every student gets to pursue what they love, from taking college-level classes to exploring careers and even earning while learning. We’ll show you high schools that are reimagining student engagement and supporting young people to realize their college and career dreams.

Location: Continental Ballroom 3

Speakers: Moderator Cameron White (NewSchools), Alejandro Gibes de Gac (Paloma Learning), Kareem Weaver (FULCRUM), Lauren Uyeshiro (Magpie Literacy)

Session: Integrating the science of reading in classrooms across the country can supercharge student success. Come hear from innovators who have cracked the code by merging cutting-edge research with new tools that transform how students learn to read.

Speakers: Sneha Revanur (Encode Justice), Alexandra Bernadotte (Beyond 12), Sam Cheng (Design Tech High School)

Location: Continental Ballroom 8 – 9

Generative AI is creating a lot of buzz for its potential to narrow educational gaps, promising to make learning accessible to anyone with a device and internet connection. Yet there is critical work to be done to ensure that all students actually benefit from AI. In this session, we will candidly discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, prompting us to consider how best to empower young people and ensure AI aligns with their dreams for the future.

Speakers: Aylon Samouha (Transcend), Cynthia Robinson-Rivers (Transcend)

Location: Continental Ballroom 7

What does true engagement look like when communities take charge of reshaping education? This session will explore how to implement community-based design approaches that last. Learn from successful examples that have driven enduring change, and discover effective strategies to keep your community’s involvement meaningful and effective over time.

Location: Golden Gate Ballroom

Open Networking

Innovation Exchange: Get to know the leaders behind some of the most exciting education innovations and see firsthand how their proven models and solutions are reimagining learning for students. It’s an opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and explore cutting-edge approaches, from unique school models to powerful uses of AI. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, interested in exploring partnerships, or simply curious about the future of learning, join us. 

Location: Continental Ballroom 1 – 2

Speakers: Moderator Mia Howard (NewSchools), Jason Atwood (NewSchools), Kristle Hodges Johnson (University High School), Amy Kiyota (Impact Public Schools)

Session: Innovative schools in our national portfolio are rebounding more quickly from pandemic disruptions than similar schools. Gain insights into the practices that drive positive student outcomes and hear about the key design choices that underpin successful models.

Location: Continental Ballroom 3

Speakers: Lauren Morando Rhim (The Center for Learner Equity), Antoinette Banks (Expert IEP), Neema Desai (All Means All), Nora McGann (Collegiate Academies)

Session: We have made real strides to better serve students with learning differences. Now it’s time to go further in creating truly inclusive classrooms. Join us to hear from leaders, teachers, and parents who have learned what it takes to model and champion asset-based mindsets, create communities of belonging, and implement effective strategies that benefit all learners.

Note: Live podcast recording

Location: Continental Ballroom 8-9

Speakers: Moderator Alex Grodd (The Disagreement), Holly Korbey (Education Journalist), Kevin Dykema (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics)

Session: The current state of math education in the U.S., with its low international ranking and glaring inequities, demands urgent attention. The showdown between more traditional methods and innovative, inquiry-based approaches touches on crucial issues of engagement, understanding, and equity. Join us for a riveting live debate moderated by Alex Grodd, host of “The Disagreement” podcast, as two leading voices clash on the best path forward.

Location: East Lounge
Snacks and Beverages Available

Location: Continental Ballroom 1 – 2

Speakers: Moderator Heather Harding (COSF), Beth Sondel (The Civics Center), Jory Woods (COSF), and Jason Allen (National Parents Union)

Session: Hear frontline stories from courageous individuals pushing back against political agendas that undermine educational progress. Our panelists will share resources and tools that have empowered them — and can empower you too — in championing fairness, inclusivity, and truth in schools. 

Location: Continental Ballroom 3

Speakers: Moderators Lisa Maresso Wyatt and Lennon Audrain (ASU Next Education Workforce), Greg Mendez, Shelby Maday, and Ashlyn Brooks (Mesa Public Schools)

Session: Can we redefine the role of educators for greater impact and implement new models at scale? Join us to learn how Mesa Public Schools, Arizona’s largest district, is successfully implementing a team-based staffing model that not only makes teaching more sustainable but also more effective. 

Location: Continental Ballroom 8-9

Speakers: Yusuf Ahmad (PlayLab), Jabali Sawicki (nXu), Keno Omu (Kibo School)

Session: Don’t miss this interactive session to learn how to make AI work for you using PlayLab. You’ll experiment with the possibilities, risks, and opportunities of generative AI as you build your own AI-powered tools and discover how they can turbocharge teaching, learning, and operations. Note: Don’t forget your laptops!

  • Session: “Finding Common Ground in an Era of Polarization“
    Speaker: David Simas (Emerson Collective)

    David Simas will help us make sense of the growing polarization across our country, including in school boards and classrooms. He addresses the critical question: Rather than defining ourselves in opposition to others, how can we find common ground based on our shared values to offer a brighter future for our youth? Join us to consider how we might cultivate a more unified, engaged, and empathetic citizenry.

  • Closing remarks with NewSchools CEO Frances Messano 

  • Feedback is a gift! Please remember to take our brief Summit 2024 survey.

Location: Golden Gate Ballroom
Food and Beverages Available

Open Networking

Innovation Exchange (Closing at 6pm)
Get to know the leaders behind some of the most exciting education innovations and see firsthand how their proven models and solutions are reimagining learning for students. It’s an opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and explore cutting-edge approaches, from unique school models to powerful uses of AI. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, interested in exploring partnerships, or simply curious about the future of learning, join us.

Speakers

(View Full List)

Logistics

Registration Support

Email: [email protected]

Local: 415-446-7736   |   Toll-Free: 800-719-3416  |    Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM PDT


Photography Policy

By registering for NewSchools Summit please be aware that NewSchools Venture Fund (NewSchools) intends to photograph, audio record, and/or visually record some of the event and other activities. NewSchools may make use of such photographs and recording for purposes including creating, distributing, and transmitting copies of them, and/or promotional or advertising uses, without restriction of media. 

If you do not wish to be photographed, audio recorded, and/or audio visually recorded, please feel free to excuse yourself from any potential photographs and recordings during the event.