Join Us for the Innovation Summit: Shaping the Future of Education!
The Innovation Summit is bringing together forward-thinking educators and researchers to explore bold ideas, cutting-edge practices, and collaborative solutions for the future of teaching and learning.
Why Attend?
- Engage with dynamic workshops and interactive sessions on innovation in education.
- Connect with a network of educators who are reimagining learning experiences.
- Explore new technologies and strategies that enhance student engagement.
- Collaborate on real-world solutions that bridge equity, innovation, and opportunity in schools.
**April 22 Pre-Session for College Partnership Lab School Teams
Wednesday, April 23
Incubating Education- Developing systems and structures across Virginia to propel innovation
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Keynote Speaker: Phyllis Lockett, Founder & Senior Advisor, LEAP Innovations: Why do we need innovation in education?
Breakout Sessions: Innovation in Action
Exemplary Innovation Showcase
Discover groundbreaking education initiatives transforming learning in real-world settings. This showcase features innovative projects, visionary leaders, and student-driven solutions.
- College Partnership Lab Schools (Virginia) – Redefining student learning with cutting-edge programs.
- Aviation Academy (Newport News Public Schools) – Advancing aerospace and engineering education.
- Northeast Academy for Aerospace & Advanced Technologies – Empowering students through hands-on, technology-driven projects.
- Tinkhani White, Carnegie Foundation – Insights on nationwide education transformation.
- Student-Led Classroom Projects – Highlighting student agency, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Each session is interactive and solution-focused, offering practical takeaways for educators, school leaders, and education innovators. Leave with fresh strategies, meaningful connections, and inspiration to drive change.
Thursday, April 24
Innovation Summit Deep Dive Workshop Sessions (Half-Day)
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Purpose: A focused series of workshops designed to advance the innovation in Virginia through hands-on strategy sessions, discussions on challenges and opportunities, and the establishment of a statewide Innovation Network.
Workshop Topics:
- Facilitators: Kate Maxlow & Rafael Diaz
- Description: Unlock the potential of AI to transform teaching while keeping you firmly in control of your students’ learning experience. This hands-on workshop will show you how AI can save hours of research and brainstorming by acting as your creative partner, allowing you to focus on tailoring lessons, simulations, debates, and design projects to meet your educational goals. You’ll receive a template for the lesson with directions to give the AI to help you plan with ease. We’ll work together to refine AI prompts to tailor each lesson to your vision and students. Learn to harness the efficiency of AI without sacrificing the quality and personalization that only you, as an educator, can provide.
- Facilitator: [TBD]
- Description: This session will focus on forward-thinking approaches to curriculum design, instructional models, and assessment practices that prepare students for a rapidly evolving world.
- Objectives:
- Identify innovative curricular models for deeper learning.
- Explore assessment strategies that move beyond standardized testing.
- Discuss the role of competency-based learning and student agency.
- Facilitator: John Baaki
- Description: This interactive session will introduce participants to Design Thinking as a problem-solving approach for education. Attendees will engage in hands-on exercises to reimagine learning experiences and educational spaces.
- Facilitator: Northeast Academy for Aerospace & Advanced
- Description: This workshop will provide guidance on sustaining and scaling innovations in education, including funding strategies, community partnerships, and long-term impact assessment.
- Facilitator: Kaitlyn McCoy
- Description: This session will showcase how Makerspaces and hands-on learning environments can drive student engagement, creativity, and problem-solving. Participants will explore best practices for designing and implementing these spaces. In this hands-on workshop you will explore the role of Makerspaces in STEM and interdisciplinary learning; learn strategies for integrating hands-on projects into various subjects; and explore ways to make Makerspaces accessible to all learners.
Innovation Summit Design Team
Ashley Pratt, Dante Lee, Natasha Watts, Rachel White, Gary Skeen, Kelly Denny, Al Bertani, Roberto Pamas, Mary Beth Artale, Rachele Hirsch-Brooks, Donica Hadley, Kaitlyn McCoy, Padmanabhan Seshaiyer, Tirzah Sarro, Jay Scribner, Shannon Montague, Karen Sanzo
