Event Information
Join us for high-energy gatherings that unite the entire community around powerful ideas and shared purpose. These sessions feature visionary speakers, inspiring stories, and bold perspectives that set the tone for the day and the future of learning. More than just a kickoff, each general session is a moment to reflect, connect, and reimagine what’s possible in education.
Deepen your learning with extended-format Mainstage sessions. The Think Big Series features thought leaders in powerful 50-minute deep dives that connect big ideas to real-world practice, inviting educators to slow down, go deep, and think big.
Join us for the Opening Mainstage at ISTELive 25 and ASCD Annual Conference 25! Exploring our daily theme of "Guide," this session focuses on sparking curiosity, developing expertise, and elevating reflection.
ASCD+ISTE CEO Richard Culatta kicks off the event, followed by Miral Kotb, founder and creator of iLuminate, sharing how personal challenges led to innovation at the intersection of technology and creativity. Then, author, strategic change expert, and podcast host Dan Heath reveals how small changes can transform classroom culture and student engagement, offering practical strategies for lasting positive change. Opening Mainstage sponsored by Meta.
Embracing Change: Using Technology to Promote Innovation, Navigate Challenges, and Renew Education
Although the pace of change in society has been rapid, change in education has generally occurred at a much slower pace. This can be explained in part by the persistence of policies and practices that perpetuate the status quo, reinforcing and reproducing existing disparities in student performance. Join scholar and USC Dean Pedro Noguera, Ph.D., to explore the role of technology in supporting change that leads to deeper student engagement, enhanced support for educators, and better learning outcomes for all students during this exciting session.
Building Student Agency: Leveraging Relationships in the Classroom
In today's classrooms, fostering student agency is paramount. Join us to explore three essential keys: belonging, connection, and confidence. We'll dive into how creating a space where every student feels they belong transforms the learning environment, enabling learners to take risks and own their education. You’ll discover practical strategies for building meaningful connections by understanding and valuing student culture, unlocking relational capital for effective teaching. Finally, we'll address the critical role of cultivating confidence by guiding students through achievable challenges, demonstrating their ability to succeed, and empowering them to realize their potential. Learn how to shift from expectation to empowerment, and witness the transformative power of student agency in your classroom.
The Secret Recipe for Student Agency
Today’s special? A three-course meal filled with deeper learning, sprinkled with innovation, and stuffed with student agency – served piping hot! Your reservation is ready because every student deserves a seat at the table – and a learning experience worth savoring. Don’t start from scratch! It’s time to reveal the secret recipe for Mystery Meat: Learning experiences worth devouring. Step into the kitchen and start cooking meaningful learning – no more prepackaging or reheating. Let’s transform classrooms into cafeterias of curiosity, choice, and creativity. Come hungry – you’ll want seconds.
Creative Pathways: Art, Technology, and Educational Innovation
Explore the intersection of visual art, technology, and education with acclaimed artist Shantell Martin. Drawing from her experiences at MIT Media Lab, New York University (NYU), and Columbia University, Martin will share innovative approaches to integrating creative practice into educational environments. Discover practical strategies for incorporating artistic exploration into your classroom while fostering student engagement, creative confidence, and cross-disciplinary connections.
Join us for Tuesday's Mainstage at ISTELive 25 and ASCD Annual Conference 25! Centered on our daily theme of "Nurture," this session explores cultivating belonging, connecting learning to the learner, and ensuring equity.
Bestselling author and 2024 MacArthur Fellow Jason Reynolds will share how technology and contemporary communication styles can bridge cultural gaps in the classroom. Through compelling examples from his writing, Reynolds will demonstrate ways to make literacy relevant and engaging in today's digital world, helping educators create more inclusive and connected learning experiences.
Building Futures: Youth-Led Design + Construction Projects
Learn how to engage students and connect with the community through student-led design/build projects. Emily Pilloton-Lam will present her work over the past decade, leading youth construction projects through her organization, Girls Garage. Discover practical strategies for hands-on building projects that foster confidence, creativity, and citizenship, while providing students with safe spaces to build the world they want to see.
Join us for the Closing Mainstage at ISTELive 25 and ASCD Annual Conference 25! Exploring our daily theme of "Empower," this session focuses on prioritizing authentic experiences and igniting agency.