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2026 SUMMER INSTITUTE FOR
AUTHENTIC LEARNING AND LEADERSHIP
Reimagine Education • Reconnect with the Joy of Teaching • Empower Students to Change the World!
Summer institute for authentic learning and leadership
JOIN US IN COLUMBUS, OH (UPPER ARLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL), JULY 15-16, 2026
Creating Schools That Are Out of This World! Continuing the Journey of Discovery and Innovation!
Join us July 15-16, 2026 for the 5th Annual Summer Institute! As always, you’ll find an environment of innovation, creativity, collaboration – and oh yes, joy! You’ll meet new people, gain new ideas, and leave with an actionable plan/strategy for the coming school year. Shape the future. Inspire change. Be part of the journey!
About the Event
More than 400 educators, from near and far, will join us for two inspiring days, July 15-16, 2026, filled with hope, creativity, collaboration, innovation, and intentional experiences to help educators make learning irresistible—for both students and teachers.
This K-12 conference helps participants:
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envision authentic learning and leadership;
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be inspired by the work of others;
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experience authentic instructional strategies;
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and commit to next steps.
Most importantly, educators will experience and dream about ways to help students connect intellectually and emotionally with their own learning.
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2026 Keynote Speakers
We’re excited to announce two of our keynote presenters, Sam Chaltain and Jen Mott. Sam is a former NYC high school teacher and speechwriter for multiple U.S. Secretaries of Education. Sam is a globally recognized writer, filmmaker, and school designer dedicated to advancing people’s understanding of the future of learning and what it can tell us about the future of humanity. (Look him up – you’ll be excited, too!)
“I tell stories about people, schools, and communities whose work can inspire and orient us to our rapidly changing world – and how to make it better,” says Chaltain. “A friend once described me as a ‘possibilitarian,’ which feels like the highest honor.”
Dr. Jen Mott is a middle school administrator, university faculty member, published author, highly regarded speaker, and experienced circus performer. She brings passion to everything she does, and she inspires others to use their own passions to realize their potential. Her uniquely entertaining keynote will challenge us to bring out the best in ourselves and our students through authentic learning, leadership, and relationships.
"I want to ignite a fire--to meet teachers and students where they are and remind them that what they do and who they are matters," says Mott. "It’s important that we bring our most authentic selves to what we do, knowing we are more capable than we often believe."
With Sam’s and Jen’s help, and the support of other speakers and facilitators, we’ll all become “possibilitarians” as we envision exciting, actionable plans for 2026-2027.
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Previous Summer Institute Recap Videos
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“May the force be with you” – Launching your mission with passion and purpose!
Over the past four years, we’ve been privileged to welcome an incredible crew of inspiring, innovative keynote speakers—leaders who share our commitment to “creating schools that are out of this world.” Now, we want them to join us again for Year 5 of the Summer Institute.
Thanks to the wonders of technology, each of our “Jedi leaders” has agreed to share a special virtual “call to action” to inspire our ongoing efforts. Their “lightsaber lessons” will help us stay true to our mission and resist the obstacles in our way.
In this special keynote session, you’ll encounter a montage of “galactic guidance” from leaders like Buddy Berry, Ron Berger, David Brown, Annalies Corbin, Erin Gruwell, Peter Kahn, Lisa Lande, Danee Pinckney, Michelle Pledger, George Philhower, Russ Quaglia, Steve Shapiro, and Tony Wagner. How often does a conference audience get inspired to take action by such a remarkable group of educators—all at once? This is a spark we won’t soon forget. What a moment of possibility!
Our own Partnerships team members Emmy Beeson and Kristin Bourdage will be your hosts for this unique opportunity to reconnect with some of our favorite and most impactful collaborators.
Buddy Berry
Superintendent at Eminence KY Schools
Ron Berger
Senior Advisor at EL Education
David Brown
Founder/Creative Director, Harmony Project
Annalies Corbin
CEO of PAST Foundation
Erin Gruwell
Founder, Freedom Writers Foundation
Peter Kahn
Educator, Poet, and Project Creator
Lisa Lande
Director of International Programs, Quaglia Institute
Danee Pinckney
2025 Ohio Teacher of the Year
Michelle Pledger
Director of Liberation at the Center for Research on Equity and Innovation
George Philhower
Superintendent of Eastern Hancock County Schools, Indiana
Russ Quaglia
Executive Director, Quaglia Institute for School Voice and Aspirations
Steve Shapiro
Consultant
Tony Wagner
Senior Research Fellow at the Learning Policy Institute
Call for Presenters Proposals
Share your expertise, inspire action and help shape the 2026 Summer Institute for Authentic Learning and Leaders in Columbus, Ohio, July 15-16.
We’re seeking presentations that inspire authentic learning and leadership and equip attendees to deepen purpose, build resilience, and “make learning irresistible." Presenters should bring expertise and energy—leaders who not only know their subject but also know how to engage and inspire others in authentic learning.
“Erin Gruwell is the reason I was looking forward to this conference. I mean it’s a great conference with purposeful and powerful collaboration for student learning and teacher efficacy. But to hear one of my educational heroes in person and then get to have an engaging conversation with her and to top it off learn more from her and a Freedom Writer in one of the sessions is truly phenomenal. It was inspiring, renewing and a reminder of the importance of this heart work called teaching.”
—Participant at the 2025 Summer Institute
QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions about Sched, registration, or refunds/cancellations, please reach out to: info@partnershipsforall.org.
Registration
Registration through Sched will be available beginning around December 12. Please check back often.
$350
beginning 12/12/2025
Early Bird
$450
after 4/17/2026
General Admission
$100
with code provided by Partnerships
Pre-service Educator
$375
purchase order only
Team of 15+
$350
purchase order only
Teams of 40+
$350
with code provided by Partnerships
Confirmed Breakout Presenter
Payment Options
Participants have two options for payment at the time of Institute registration:
Credit Cards
Credit Cards are processed by Stripe. This includes a non-refundable processing fee.
Purchase Orders
Purchase orders should be made payable to:
Partnerships for Authentic Learning and Leadership
15330 Beechwood Rd.
Findlay, OH 45840
We ask that the creator of the Purchase Order email a copy to info@partnershipsforall.org before distributing the PO number to your attendees for registration.
“All of the presentations were great! Thank you for continuing to find inspiring presenters!”
"The keynotes were very inspiring! The breakouts were fun. The food was great!”
Refunds and Cancellations
Cancellations received up to ten (10) business days prior to the date of the conference will receive a full refund, minus any credit card processing fees if applicable. Cancellations received less than 10 business days prior to the event may transfer their registration to another person. Registrations will not be refunded.