Announcing! Partnerships' 5th Annual Summer Institute for Authentic Learning and Leadership, July 15-16, 2026
- Mar 30
- 2 min read
Please join us July 15-16, 2026 at Upper Arlington High School in Columbus, OH, for a one-of-a-kind professional learning experience that will serve as a “call to action” that will fuel your energy and passion for teaching and leading throughout the coming year. The Institute is a place of innovation, inspiration, joy, gathering, and renewal …a place where you’ll “find your people” and rekindle your passion and sense of purpose…a place where you’ll connect, reflect, create, and have fun -- to infinity and beyond!  We're proud to announce our stellar keynoters, a group of nationally respected leaders, who will help us reimagine education, reconnect with the joy of teaching, and empower young people to change the world. They’ll help us clarify our vision of what’s best for our students and our schools--and they’ll inspire our collective creativity and commitment to make that vision a reality. Our keynoters will be: Sam Chaltain—author of Faces of Learning: 50 Powerful Stories of Defining Moments in Education and American Schools: The Art of Creating a Democratic Learning Community. PLUS-- Sam is an awesome filmmaker! Jane R. Shore—author of People-Based Learning: The Future of Learning is Human and founder of School of Thought: Grounded in Research, Centered on People, and Designed for Impact. PLUS—Jane is a compelling visual storyteller! Jen Mott—author of Teacherverance: Nurturing Hope While Embracing Perseverance in Education and Why Teaching? (a wonderful children’s book). PLUS—Jen is an amazing juggler and circus performer! As an added attraction, Partnerships leaders, Emmy Beeson and Kristin Bourdage, will facilitate a session called, May the Force Be With You -- a dynamic design session and immersive experience fueled by what makes us uniquely human - our imaginations! This immersive and imaginative planning experience will incorporate video “lightsaber lessons” from previous headliners like Buddy Berry, Erin Gruwell, Danee Pinckney, Michelle Pledger, Russ Quaglia, and Tony Wagner.  Additionally, the roughly 75 break-out sessions will let you explore authentic learning from the teachers across Ohio who use the three common pedagogies of authentic learning, including design thinking, PBL, and service-learning. AND…the formats of the breakout sessions are original and creative; they include experiential workshops, networking/thought partner opportunities, and lots of sessions with teacher-designed examples of effective authentic learning projects and strategies. AND....Casual lunch is included both days with opportunities to connect, network, and make new friends.  AND…NEW! You can go shopping at our on-site bookstore! AND…You can earn CEUs or graduate credit and multiple gifted PD hours! We’ll also be offering a new follow-up grad course for participants who want to continue their efforts. And....it's just fun!  SOOOOO… Mark your calendar now; that's July 15-16, 2026 at Upper Arlington High School in Columbus, OH. Registration and Call for Presenters are open |
