Academic Innovation Conference 2026: Full Schedule

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

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9:00am EDT

Don't Lose the Plot: Centering Human Skills in the Age of AI

Wednesday June 10, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Middle schoolers are asking big questions: Who am I? Where do I belong? And does what I’m learning really matter? As they shape their own stories, students benefit from learning experiences that connect to their identities and the world around them. In this interactive session, educators from Hayesville and Heritage Middle share how global learning can foster critical thinking, empathy, and flexibility while helping students make meaning of what they learn and how they see themselves. Through real classroom examples, reflection, and practical strategies, you will explore ways to position learning as part of a larger narrative that deepens students’ connections to their peers, their communities, and the wider world.

Speakers

Amanda Bikowski

Global Leaders Strategy Coach, Participate Learning

Amanda Bikowski is a Global Leaders Strategy coach and Program Manager at Participate Learning. She supports schools across school districts in North Carolina to strategically plan and implement a global academic and career-readiness framework. Amanda partners closely with administrators... Read More →

Caroline Baker

Global Leaders Strategy Coach, Participate Learning

Caroline Baker serves as a Global Leaders Strategy Coach at Participate Learning, where she partners with schools to implement the Global Leaders framework, fostering globally-minded students and strengthening leadership across the school community. With a background as a special education teacher and a passion for action-driven learning, Caroline specializes... Read More →

Wednesday June 10, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Elm Room 202 B

Breakout Sessions, Affiliate Partner Session

Company Participate Learning
Audience Administrators / School Leaders, Counselors / Student Support, District Leadership, Educators, Specialists
Subject School Climate & Culture, Student-Centered Teaching & Learning, Global Education
global Y

9:00am EDT

Tough Love- How to Manage Behavior While Building Relationships

LIMITED

Wednesday June 10, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT

Elm Room 134 B

Limited Capacity seats available

We all want to create a classroom that is engaging while also maintaining behaviors that allow for learning. Love and Logic is the perfect method to get this done. In this session, participants will be introduced to tried-and-true methods that can be implemented in the classroom tomorrow. They will have an opportunity to practice these methods as well as work to update/change their classroom rules and procedures to better align with this methodology.

Speakers

Erin Leatherman

Teacher/Lead Teacher, McDowell County Schools

Erin is currently in her 19th year of teaching English Language Arts. This is her 16th year in middle school, and she has taught every grade level from 7th to 12th grade. She also serves as a Lead Teacher in her school and district. She is a current participant in the Rural Teacher... Read More →

Wednesday June 10, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Elm Room 134 B

Breakout Sessions, Mattering & Belonging

Company McDowell County Schools
Audience Administrators / School Leaders, Counselors / Student Support, District Leadership, Educators
Subject School Climate & Culture, Mattering & Belonging
global Y

10:10am EDT

Beyond Inclusion: Practicing Cultural Responsibility in the Classroom

LIMITED

Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am EDT

Elm Room 202 B

Limited Capacity seats available

This interactive panel will share firsthand perspectives and resources for how schools can meaningfully engage and support Indigenous students. Through guided discussion, panelists will explore how educators can build trust with Native students and families, create culturally safe classrooms, and integrate Indigenous perspectives into daily lessons year-round. Conversations will center around thoughtful approaches to incorporating Indigenous lessons and knowledge to our westernized education system. Attendees will gain practical tools, educational resources, and a deeper cultural understanding to foster a more inclusive, engaging, and respectful learning environment for Indigenous students and their peers. First-voice accounts of her K-12 years will be shared by Nola Pina (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) and resources provided by the Museum of Cherokee People for educators will be shared by Chapman Herlihy. Attendees will be able to ask questions throughout the session and may also be invited to break out into small conversational groups.

Speakers

No-La Pina (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians)

Lead Atsila Anotasgi Cultural Specialist, Museum of the Cherokee People

Nola Pina (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) grew up in the Big Cove community on the Qualla Boundary. Her passion for cultural preservation is what drives her to continue to take in as much knowledge as she can every day. As the Lead Atsila Anotasgi Cultural Specialist at the Museum, Nola enjoys demonstrating and teaching finger-weaving (she is a first-generation finger weaver herself), as well as storytelling and leading tours. Nola can often be found reading and adding to her personal library about Cherokee history, life, culture, and other Indigenous... Read More →

Chapman Herlihy

Curriculum Coordinator, Museum of the Cherokee People

Chapman Herlihy is the Curriculum Coordinator at the Museum of the Cherokee People. Her role includes working on educational projects and resources that impact both the museum and Great Smokey Mountains National Park. These K-12 resources support Cherokee-centric curriculum and educator development. Prior to this, Chapman worked as a Partner of the National Park Service... Read More →

Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am EDT
Elm Room 202 B

Breakout Sessions, Affiliate Partner Session

Company Museum of the Cherokee People
Audience Administrators / School Leaders, Educators, Higher Education
Subject School Climate & Culture, Student-Centered Teaching & Learning, Family Engagement, Mattering & Belonging
global Y

10:10am EDT

Tapestry of Belonging 2.0

LIMITED

Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am EDT

Sycamore Room 107

Limited Capacity seats available

“A Tapestry of Belonging: Where All Students Feel Welcome, Empowered, and Valued” invites educators to reimagine their classrooms and schools as dynamic, interconnected spaces where every student’s identity and voice matter. Using the powerful metaphor of a tapestry—where each thread contributes to a stronger whole—this session explores how fostering belonging can transform school culture, student engagement, and academic success.
Participants will engage in interactive strategies that promote social awareness, empathy, and collaboration, including activities such as Synectics, Hexagonal Thinking, and structured peer dialogue. Grounded in access-focused education, this session highlights practical approaches for creating welcoming environments through differentiated instruction, culturally responsive practices, and relationship-centered teaching.
Attendees will leave with actionable tools to build welcoming classroom spaces, strengthen student voice, and support all learners. Ultimately, this session empowers educators to intentionally weave compassion, understanding, and accessibility into their daily practice—creating learning environments where every student feels seen, heard, and a true sense of belonging.

Speakers

Brittany Brady

Academic Innovation Specialist, Appalachian State GEAR UP

Yolanda Adams

Assistant Director for Student Leadership & Family Outreach, GEAR Up Appalachian State University

Yolanda Adams, originally from Bogotá, Colombia, has proudly called Boone, North Carolina home for over two decades. Her life’s work is rooted in service, advocacy, and a deep commitment to expanding opportunity for all students, families, and communities.
For more than ten years, Yolanda served Watauga County Schools, where she worked directly with students and families to bridge language, cultural, and access gaps. In December 2023, she began a new chapter as Assistant Director for Student Leadership & Family Outreach with GEAR UP... Read More →

Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am EDT
Sycamore Room 107

Breakout Sessions, Student-Centered Teaching

Company Appalachian State GEAR UP
Audience Educators, Administrators / School Leaders, Counselors / Student Support, Specialists, District Leadership, All Levels
Subject School Climate & Culture, Student-Centered Teaching & Learning
global Y

10:10am EDT

The Power of Our Stories: Building Staff Morale and Community Through Identity, Recognition, and Storytelling

LIMITED

Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am EDT

Sycamore Room 106

Limited Capacity seats available

Teacher morale and burnout are critical challenges in today’s schools—especially in rural communities where educators often carry multiple roles and responsibilities. This session shares how one school intentionally rebuilt staff culture through storytelling, identity, and structured recognition.
Using a creative, schoolwide approach, staff members were highlighted and celebrated for their unique strengths and contributions. Colleagues participated in anonymous appreciation and recognition, capturing authentic moments of impact that are often overlooked in daily practice. These stories were shared with staff and are being compiled into a collective narrative that reflects the heart of the school community.
What began as a simple idea evolved into a sustainable system for recognition—one that strengthened relationships, elevated morale, and reinforced a shared sense of purpose.
Aligned with The Power of Our Stories, this session demonstrates how schools can intentionally design structures that celebrate educators, amplify positive narratives, and build a culture where every staff member feels seen, valued, and connected.

Speakers

Heather Payne Herron

Instructional Technology Facilitator, Swain Middle School (Swain County Schools)

My name is Heather Payne Herron, and I am an Instructional Technology Facilitator at Swain Middle School in Bryson City, North Carolina. A proud graduate of Swain County Schools, I have spent all 33 years of my teaching career serving the students of Western North Carolina. I began my journey teaching 5th grade... Read More →

Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am EDT
Sycamore Room 106

Breakout Sessions, School Culture

Audience Educators, Administrators/School Leaders, Counselors/Student Support, Specialists, District Leaders
Subject School Climate & Culture
global Y

1:35pm EDT

Creating Innovators: How Principals and Teachers Build a Shared Vision for Engaged, High-Impact Learning

LIMITED

Wednesday June 10, 2026 1:35pm - 2:35pm EDT

Elm Room 134 B

Limited Capacity seats available

Many principals and teacher leaders feel trapped in the day-to-day demands of schooling, leaving little time to build a clear vision for the future. This session explores how leaders at any level can move from managing challenges to creating meaningful change by translating deep listening and empathy into a shared school vision.
Using real stories from the transformation of rural North Carolina school districts, participants will see how listening to students, teachers, families, and community partners helped create innovative learning opportunities in entrepreneurship, STEAM, workforce development, and global learning. More importantly, the session will focus on how school leaders can replicate this process within their own buildings.
Participants will learn practical strategies for uncovering their school community’s aspirations, crafting a clear and inspiring vision, empowering early adopters, and building the conditions that allow innovation to grow. Through reflection activities and implementation tools, attendees will leave with a practical roadmap to help their own schools move from reacting to problems to intentionally creating the future their students deserve.

Speakers

Dr. Barbara Zwadyk

High Point University

Dr. Kim Morrison

CEO, K & E Innovative Leadership, LLC

Dr. Kim Morrison is a Superintendent in Residence for The Innovation Project. She is the former Superintendent ofMount Airy City Schools (MACS). Dr. Morrison recently led a 21-million-dollar project in 55 schools in eight school districts. The overarching goal of this federal project... Read More →

Wednesday June 10, 2026 1:35pm - 2:35pm EDT
Elm Room 134 B

Breakout Sessions, School Culture

Company K & E Innovative Leadership
Audience Educators, Administrators / School Leaders, Counselors / Student Support, Specialists, District Leadership
Subject School Climate & Culture, Teacher Support
global Y

1:35pm EDT

Leaders in Bloom: Cultivating Change by Nourishing the Roots

LIMITED

Wednesday June 10, 2026 1:35pm - 2:35pm EDT

Sycamore Room 109

Limited Capacity seats available

This engaging breakout session equips educators with innovative, hands-on strategies to strengthen students’ social-emotional skills through both nature-based learning and immersive technology. Participants will explore the design and implementation of a gardening-focused SEL group, where students build self-regulation, responsibility, patience, and teamwork while nurturing living plants. Practical tips, lesson ideas, and structures for integrating gardening into the school day will be shared, making it accessible for a variety of school settings.
In addition, this session introduces a powerful professional development approach using Virtual Reality to build empathy and deepen staff understanding of student experiences. Attendees will learn how VR scenarios can simulate real-life challenges—such as trauma, stress, and unmet basic needs—helping educators reflect on their responses and strengthen relationships with students.
By combining experiential learning with cutting-edge technology, this session provides tools to foster connection, compassion, and emotional growth in both students and staff. Participants will leave with ready-to-use ideas, increased awareness, and a renewed sense of purpose in supporting the whole child.

Speakers

Brittany Perry

School Social Worker, Ashe County Schools

Brittany Perry is a school social worker with 13 years of experience, including 8 years serving students in middle school, high school, and early college settings. She is passionate about helping young people reconnect with who they are, build resilience, and learn life skills that... Read More →

Autumn Chamberlain

School Social Worker, Ashe County Schools

Autumn Chamberlain brings over 12 years of experience in social work, serving children, families, and vulnerable individuals through roles as a school social worker, with Child Protective Services, Adult Protective Services, and in an Assisted Living environment. Guided by her Christian... Read More →

Wednesday June 10, 2026 1:35pm - 2:35pm EDT
Sycamore Room 109

Breakout Sessions, AIM Grant Winner

Company Ashe County Schools
Audience Educators, Administrators / School Leaders, Counselors / Student Support, Community / Industry Partners
Subject Student-Centered Teaching & Learning, Experimental Learning, School Climate & Culture, AIM Grant Recipient
global Y

1:35pm EDT

STEM Bridges: Building Academic Vocabulary Through Visual Learning and Family Engagement

LIMITED

Wednesday June 10, 2026 1:35pm - 2:35pm EDT

Sycamore Room 108

Limited Capacity seats available

STEM Bridges addresses the critical intersection of language acquisition and content mastery through a district-wide initiative serving multilingual learners in rural Ashe County, North Carolina. This session presents a model for creating portable STEM learning kits that circulate among educators, students, and families—transforming how schools support vocabulary development in all curricular areas. Participants will explore strategies for making abstract terminology concrete through visual learning tools, hands-on manipulatives, and family engagement workshops. The program builds sustainable systems for collaboration between ESL educators, content teachers, and media specialists. Attendees will leave with ideas for designing visual vocabulary resources, practical frameworks for facilitating family STEM nights, and creating cross-departmental professional learning communities. This session demonstrates how strategic resource sharing and culturally responsive teaching practices can dismantle language barriers that prevent students from accessing rigorous STEM coursework and future career opportunities.

Speakers

Kathy Evans

Ashe County Schools

Tonya Denny

Media Coordinator/SparkLab Leader, Ashe County High School

Tonya Denny, a native of Ashe County, North Carolina, serves in dual roles as Media Coordinator and SparkLab Leader at Ashe County High School. After earning her Bachelor's degree in K-6 Education and Master's degree in Library Science from Appalachian State University, Tonya has... Read More →

Wednesday June 10, 2026 1:35pm - 2:35pm EDT
Sycamore Room 108

Breakout Sessions, AIM Grant Winner