Closing Mainstage

CAST Schools Deputy Director and SALT Co-Founder Jen Maestas will share insights from her nonlinear educational journey guided by purpose and possibility. Through stories from her path from classroom teacher to school leader to nonprofit founder, Maestas will demonstrate how embracing authentic experiences creates transformative opportunities for educators.

You'll also hear from National Book Award winner and New York Times bestselling author Jacqueline Woodson, followed by a brief interview with author and community activist Naomi Winston, who started her own publishing company to amplify authentic voices. Leave the conference energized and ready to empower the next generation of learners.