Vote In SXSW EDU PanelPicker® By August 24

In an era of near-constant change, how can leaders and educators ensure students get every opportunity to thrive? What are the most promising and scalable ways educators can use AI to enhance instructional quality and possibilities? And what kind of instructional leadership is needed to enable system-wide transformation?

These aren’t just questions; they are the imperatives driving the future of education—and Leading Educators is at the forefront, actively shaping the answers.

We’re thrilled to present a robust slate of proposals on these topics for SXSW EDU 2026, but we need your support to get there! Vote by August 24 to bring these vital conversations to SXSW EDU 2026! Let’s dream and do together.

• One key aspect of the SXSW EDU program is community voice in the selection process. Public voting contributes to 30% of the selection decision for a proposal.
• That’s where you come in! From now until August 24, you can vote in PanelPicker® for our proposals and leave comments about what excites you.

Rooted in our field-leading results and commitment to student-centered innovation, these sessions offer timely perspectives on teaching, leadership, and edtech integration—from expanding math possibilities using AI to unlocking the potential of multilingual learners in classrooms across the country. Learn more about our proposals below, organized by theme.

Leadership for the Future

📊 Daily Data Dives: How to Focus Instruction with Real-Time Insights

This workshop from Dr. Keli Swearingen, Alexa Rowek, and Dr. Brittany Whitby will explore how to turn overwhelming data into real-time, actionable insights that drive instructional practice and support using the Daily Data Dive (D3) protocol. Vote here

🎯 Chaos to Coherence: How Principals Can Center What Matters

At this meetup, Dr. Keli Swearingen will unpack how principals can cut through the chaos, center excellent instruction in a time of great ambiguity and competing demands, and leverage AI to re-focus on being the “principal educator” in their building. Vote here

Teaching & Learning: Reimagining Core Practice

🔬 The Future Depends on Real-World Science Instruction

During this solo, Solona Hollis will explore why the “scientific method” is outdated and how inquiry-based learning can transform classrooms into hubs of authentic scientific discovery. Vote here

🗺️ We Are What We Teach: Let Vision Lead the Way

Unpack one district’s journey from collaborative vision to fueling system-wide instructional changes in this conversation with Kristine Schipper and Stephanie Phillips of the Burlington School District. Vote here

🗣️ What’s Missing for Multilingual Learners

Explore how instructional choices can better leverage multilingual learners’ linguistic assets and ignite their potential in a conversation with Ana Luis and Claudine Andrews. Vote here

Future of Learning: Innovation for Impact

💡 From Overwhelm to Focus: Channel EdTech Toward Your Purpose

This workshop from Antoinette Melvin will offer the Value Add of Technology on Teaching as a practical framework for cutting through edtech overwhelm to identify high-impact ways to integrate AI and technology into instruction. Learn how to decide what to adopt, adapt, or abandon based on how well a technology helps save time, improve instruction, or open up new possibilities for student learning. Vote here

➕ AI + Math = Deeper Learning (If We Do It Right)

Explore how strategically aligned math professional learning and AI tools can create a coherent support system for educators to drive deeper student learning in this workshop with Emily Schriber and Britney Wray. Vote here

🤝 Student-Centered Professional Learning in a Tech-Centered Time

Gain a deeper understanding of the tension between tech-driven tools and relationship-centered professional learning in this dynamic workshop featuring Albert Kim, Marianny Solis (student at Fordham University), Dr. Stacey Alicea (RPPL), and Olga Pagán (Annenberg Institute at Brown University). Vote here

⚡ Supercharging Project-Based Learning with Generative AI

During this workshop from Albert Kim, Jin-Soo Huh (FullScale), and Nikki Luedtke, participants will explore how generative AI can supercharge project-based learning, unleashing new possibilities for student creativity and real-world application. Vote here

🤖 Summer in the Age of AI: Denver Students Reimagine Learning

Learn how Denver students are reimagining learning during summer through innovative AI integration and student-driven exploration at this workshop from Alex Magiera and Zach Kennelly (DSST Public Schools). Vote here

🛣️ Designing Your District’s AI Integration Roadmap

This interactive workshop from Sandra Jin and Lindsay Berger will invite participants to co-design a robust district-wide roadmap for purposeful and effective AI integration across all instructional areas. Vote here

🌱 From Sparks to Systems: Growing AI Practice with Purpose

This workshop from Alex Magiera, Jin-Soo Huh (FullScale), and Traci Griffith Walker (The Eliot School) follows The Eliot School’s journey from early AI use to sustained, purpose-driven AI practice that drives deeper instructional shifts across a system. Vote here

Thank you for your support!