Engage in a high-energy, interactive experience led by Carlos, where storytelling meets strategy. This session will challenge you to unlock student voice, build authentic connections, and elevate engagement in your classroom and school community.
Carlos Ojeda Jr. has been called one of the most dynamic speakers in America today.He is a youth development expert with over twenty-six years of experience inspiring countless students, parents, and education professionals across the country.Carlos was a university administrator... Read More →
GEAR UP 2.0 AIM Grant PITCH Competition Hear from educators in the GEAR UP 2.0 cohort as they present innovative, student-centered proposals designed to transform learning. Selected winners will receive up to $8,000 in funding to bring their ideas to life.
GEAR UP 3.0 APEX AIM Grant PITCH Competition Hear from educators in the GEAR UP 3.0 APEX cohort as they present innovative, student-centered proposals designed to transform learning. Selected winners will receive up to $8,000 in funding to bring their ideas to life.
Innovator of the Year Workshop with Top School Speakers A special session for our Innovators of the Year Join an inspiring session featuring Carla, renowned speaker and author of Beat the Odds, as she shares powerful insights on resilience, leadership, and creating transformative impact in education.
Principal Pathways & Mentorship Explore the journey into school leadership through this session focused on mentorship, growth, and sustainable leadership pipelines. Ideal for aspiring administrators and those supporting leadership development.
This presentation tells the story about how the Empowering Teacher Learning (ETL) Project and Teacher-Directed Professional Development (TDPL) impacted teachers and students in Western NC by highlighting key outcomes from ETL’s implementation across multiple districts, including rates of teacher engagement, sustained participation, teacher perceptions and evidence of instructional shifts. It also illustrates the evolution of the ETL Project into three other distinct exploratory programs: PRIME micro-credential development, Remote Learning, and the Innovation Cohort; displaying resilience amidst extreme challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Helene.
Finance and Compliance Manager, Appalachian State | Office of Rural Promise
Janet is a licensed CTE Business and Marketing teacher with 15 years of classroom experience. She currently serves as the Finance and Compliance Manager for Learning in the Professions and the GREAT STEM Project. In May 2024, she earned a Master of Arts in Online Engagement and Communication... Read More →
Learning in the Professions Navigator, Appalachian State University
Sherry is a former K-12 Special Education, English Language Arts, and Drama Teacher who spent most of her teaching career in the middle school grades. After teaching, she shifted her attention to social services where she was the administrator of a food bank and Lead Advocate at a... Read More →
Media Specialist AIM Grant PITCH Competition Come experience bold, creative ideas from Media Specialists reimagining what’s possible in their schools. These rapid-fire pitches showcase innovation in action—with winners eligible to receive up to $8,000 in grant funding for the 2026–2027 school year.
