2026 Schools of
the Future
Conference

NOW OPEN: 2026 Schools of the Future Call for Proposals

The Schools of the Future Conference aims to help transform learning environments today for the world of tomorrow. In pursuit of this mission, the Conference Planning Committee seeks proposals related to pedagogy and effective teaching practices that support educators in preparing learners for the future.

Proposals should showcase meaningful and impactful approaches, both new and well-established, that help attendees strengthen their professional practice through the exchange of ideas, strategies, and solutions. As always, the planning team strives to ensure that all content is relevant, timely, and grounded in real-world application. The goal of SOTF is to deliver a conference that informs current and emerging educational practices by highlighting ideas and approaches that are both effective and implementable. To that end, the review committee will pay particular attention to whether proposals reflect the teaching and learning environments we aspire to create for our students. Through this shared work, the SOTF Conference and its presenters will foster a community of learning that supports educators in improving the quality of education for all students.

Proposals will be accepted for one-hour presentations and 15-minute Lightning Talks. Pre-recorded presentations will also be offered as a component of the conference and will be made available to registered attendees alongside a selection of keynote and featured speaker recordings.

Proposals can be submitted by anyone working in a preschool, early learning, K-12 or higher education setting or support organization. Vendors, exhibitors and for-profit companies interested in presenting at the SOTF Conference will need to purchase a sponsor package that includes a breakout session.

The deadline to submit a proposal is Friday, March 20, 2026. Notifications will be sent in late April.

Presentations with Students
If an adult will serve as the primary presenter with the presentation incorporating student voice, then please proceed with submitting a proposal using this form. If the presentation will be delivered primarily by students, with a teacher serving as a point person or facilitator, please wait for the Call for Student Proposals, which will be announced in the Fall.

Student presenters (K-12th graders) will not be charged a registration fee if only attending the conference during their assigned presentation time. If students will attend the full day, they will have to pay a discounted student presenter rate - $100 for a 1-day ticket (maximum of 4 students per session).

Presenter Discounts

If your proposal is selected for a one-hour presentation, the Primary Presenter will receive a 50% discount.

Each one-hour presentation allows for one (1) co-presenter, who will receive a 15% discount off the conference rate in effect at the time of registration. If you are proposing a panel or wish to include more than one co-presenter, please list their names in the session description. All additional co-presenters are required to register for the conference independently and will be responsible for the full conference rate in effect at the time of registration.

Co-presenters must be included in the proposal.

Lightning Talk presenters will receive a 25% discount off the conference rate in effect at the time of registration. It is recommended that Lightning Talks be limited to one presenter. Co-presenters must pay the conference fee in effect at the time of registration.

All presenters must register to present at the Conference. Please note that the conference does not cover any travel expenses (hotel, airfare or other) for presenters.

Please note that the Conference does not cover any additional expenses related to attending or presenting at the Conference (travel expenses, equipment, supplies, etc.).

Discounts are not available to presenters who are only submitting a proposal for a pre-recorded session.

Submitting a Proposal

A Proposal Planning Template has been created to assist with the submission process. The template should not be used to submit a proposal; rather, it is meant as a tool to help plan and draft your proposal. Please download or make a copy of this document to use for your planning purposes. When you are ready to submit your proposal, please do so via the official SOTF Proposal Submission Form.

The deadline to submit a proposal is March 20, 2026. Notifications will be sent in late April.

Conference Tracks:

The Schools of the Future Conference explores a wide range of topics and ideas. Program tracks are offered to illuminate content that is of most interest to attendees. Session proposals can be submitted in one of the conference tracks listed below, but can encompass a wide range of topics. For sessions that may fall under multiple tracks, please submit the proposal under the best-fitting track. Each presentation track offers general guidelines and keywords that best represent the interests of this year's conference. These guidelines are provided to assist and are by no means limitations.

Early Childhood Learning
Presentations in this track should be designed for educators of preschool through grade 3, focusing on the latest trends and research in early childhood education. Presentations should combine practical insights and innovative strategies for child development and can include topics like emergent literacy, play-based learning, inclusive education, and technology integration in early learning environments.

Cognitive Diversity
This track focuses on embracing cognitive diversity, offering a deep dive into learning differences, differentiated and personalized learning approaches, and Universal Design for Learning principles. It aims to equip educators with strategies and insights into brain science that enhance learning accessibility for all students. Presentations might explore innovative methods to cater to diverse learning needs, ensuring every student's unique learning style is acknowledged and supported in educational environments.

Project and Place-Based Learning
Sessions in this track should aim to advance PBL practices by exploring the knowledge and skills needed to create, assess, and manage high-quality, authentic Project/Inquiry/Problem-Based Learning. Attendees will explore innovative PBL methods and strategies to deepen student engagement and foster real-world connections. This track is ideal for educators seeking to enrich their curriculum with dynamic, experiential learning opportunities.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
This track explores and shares best practices and strategies for effective SEL implementation in various educational settings. Participants will delve into current research and evidence that highlight the impact and benefits of SEL on students' academic performance and overall well-being. The track will provide educators with actionable insights on integrating SEL into curriculum and school culture, emphasizing the development of emotional intelligence, resilience, and positive student-teacher relationships.

Teaching and Learning with Technology
This track focuses on the shifting world of digital transformation, highlighting innovative strategies and tools that enhance teaching and learning. Sessions will showcase advanced technologies, including the increasing potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and their practical applications in creating student-centered learning experiences. Learn how technology can personalize instruction, provide meaningful feedback, and encourage collaboration and creativity while building essential skills for the 21st century, such as critical thinking, communication, and digital literacy. Discover new pedagogical approaches and best practices for effectively integrating technology to empower educators and learners in modern educational settings.

Computer Science
This track will focus on computer science and computational thinking for all levels of teaching. Presentation topics may include (but are not limited to) classroom practices, cross-curricular integration, afterschool programs, physical computing, robotics, cybersecurity, and emerging areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), data science, and Esports. Alignment to the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) professional development standards for K-12 computing is encouraged.

Cultivating Peace, Civic Engagement, and Democracy
This track, guided by the value of kuleana (responsibility), aims to promote peace through education, awareness, and advocacy. It will equip educators with the tools to foster ‘ike pono (an understanding of what is right) and cultivate lōkahi (unity and harmony) within their classrooms and communities. Sessions will explore strategies that encourage productive civic participation rooted in respect and shared responsibility.

Changemakers in Education
This track invites educators and administrators who are actively shaping the future of learning to share how change is being led, lived, and sustained in real school contexts. Sessions will explore how individuals and teams are reimagining teaching and learning to deepen student engagement, strengthen school culture and climate, and design assessment practices that support meaningful learning. Presentations may draw on research from the learning sciences and brain science to examine how students develop understanding, motivation, and agency over time. Sessions may also highlight the thoughtful use of emerging tools, including AI, when they are aligned with what we know about how people learn, helping to personalize learning, support effective feedback, and create more responsive, human-centered learning environments. This track creates space for educators to surface lessons learned, wrestle with complexity, and collaborate with others who are pushing beyond improvement toward transformation.

Presentation Formats:

Presentations (1 Hour)
These sessions are an hour long and will take place during the in-person conference. They can be a more traditional, seated audience presentation or an Interactive lecture involving participant-engaged learning experiences.

New This Year! Lightning Talks (15 minutes)
Lightning Talks are fast-paced, high-impact presentations designed to share a big idea, innovative strategy, classroom model, or compelling story in a concise and engaging format. These TED-style sessions will be scheduled in one-hour thematic blocks (e.g., SEL, AI, Cognitive Diversity, etc.), featuring three 15-minute talks grouped by a shared theme. Lightning Talks are ideal for presenters who want to inspire, provoke thinking, or introduce a powerful concept that does not require a full hour-long session. It is recommended that Lightning Talks be limited to one presenter. Co-presenters will be required to pay the conference fee in effect at the time of registration.

Pre-Recorded Presentations (up to 1-hour long)
If you are already submitting a proposal to present at the Conference, consider also submitting a pre-recorded version of it. Pre-recorded presentations will be recorded and submitted ahead of the Conference. They can be any length of time but should not exceed an hour. A TED-style format is ideal for these sessions. Pre-recorded sessions will be made available to registered attendees along with a selection of keynote and featured speaker recordings.