The Instructional Leaders’ Summit is an intimate cohort experience for peer-to-peer networking, learning, and collaborating on unique real-world challenges brought by each attendee.

Plan to leave San Diego with a new peer support system, an actionable framework to tackle your problem of practice, and extended learning through post-event webinars and gatherings. One fee covers registration, hotel, and most meals for your weekend of learning.

What’s Included:

Workshops: Participate in two days of hands-on sessions where you'll analyze data, collaborate with peers, receive expert feedback, and develop action plans.

Discussions: Engage on key education priorities: student learning, teaching quality, curriculum development, change management, and data-driven decision-making.

Personal advisory boards: Collaborate with carefully matched peers in similar leadership positions to share ideas during the event, then maintain valuable support connections year-round.

Service opportunity: Join others for a half day of community service on MLK Day.

Extended learning: Get access to learning throughout the year with webinars, problem-of-practice assistance, and meetings with your personal advisory board.

All-inclusive registration: we take care of everything so you can simply learn, network, and focus!

Hotel Stay: Three nights at the Town and Country Resort are included in your registration.

Meals: Registration also includes opening reception, breakfasts, lunches, and a group dinner.

Click on any date to view the full schedule for that day.

2 p.m.
Badge Pickup
5:30 p.m.
Welcome Reception: Kick Off Your Summit in Style!
Join fellow instructional leaders for a casual celebration. Food and music await – perfect for unwinding after a long day of travel. Show up as you are and leave with new connections. You have a big weekend ahead!
7 a.m.
Badge Pickup
7:30 a.m.
Breakfast Opens
Get energized for the day ahead. Grab your continental breakfast before the show starts and join us inside Ballroom A to eat before or during our keynotes.
8 a.m.
Opening General Session: Setting the Stage for Transformation
Hear from ISTE+ASCD CEO Richard Culatta as he shares what lies ahead for the weekend. Then, the featured keynote will dive into transformation strategies to guide your leadership journey. Hosted by ISTE+ASCD Board President Jeremy Owoh, Ed.D.
9:05 a.m.
Meet Your Personal Advisory Board!
Discover your curated cohort of like-minded leaders in this introductory session, facilitated by Sean Gaillard and Jen Schwanke, Ed.D. Personal Advisory Boards (PABs) are small groups based on your role, context, and the unique challenge you bring to the table.
9:30 a.m.
Problem of Practice: Identify & Describe
Unpack the action planning process and work collaboratively to carefully construct a meaningful Problem of Practice. This foundational decision will guide your learning journey throughout the weekend and beyond.
Building Track Facilitators
District Track Facilitators
11:40 a.m.
Choose Your Story Lab: Instructional Leaders Driving Transformational Learning
Instructional leaders will share how their school or district is tackling a complex challenge, highlighting the impact on student learning and lessons learned. A guided conversation to reflect and exchange insights with fellow leaders will follow.
Story Lab Moderators & Presenters
12:30 p.m.
Leaders’ Lunch
Enjoy lunch while connecting with fellow leaders.
1:30 p.m.
Problem of Practice: Root Cause Analysis
Leaders will continue to refine their Problem of Practice, moving forward to identify the root cause by engaging in collaborative exercises to analyze data, share insights, and use various problem-solving techniques.
Building Track Facilitators
District Track Facilitators
3:45 p.m.
Spark Sessions: 50-minute Fresh Ideas
Choose a Spark Session that ignites your interests and fuels your Problem of Practice work with new ideas and practical insights.
Leading for Transformational Learning
Transformational Learning Principles Meet AI in Learning Design
Innovator Circle Lightning Talks
Lead With What Matters: Instruction, Every Day
Problem of Practice Coaching
Sustaining the Work – 1:1 Conversation with ISTE+ASCD Staff
5:30 p.m.
Dinner & Dialogue
Mingle with peers, share ideas, and build lasting connections while enjoying good food and great company.
7:30 a.m.
Breakfast Opens
Pick up your continental breakfast and join us inside Ballroom A to eat before or during our keynotes.
8 a.m.
Fireside Chat: Supporting Growth of Teachers and Principals
Join ISTE+ASCD Board President Jeremy Owoh, Ed.D., for an intimate fireside chat focused on experiences and strategies for supporting the growth of teachers and principals.
9 a.m.
Personal Advisory Board Connect
Reconnect with your Personal Advisory Board (PAB) and continue building collaborative relationships that support your unique challenge. Facilitated by Sean Gaillard and Jen Schwanke, Ed.D.
9:25 a.m.
Problem of Practice: Establishing a Theory of Action
Develop a framework that links to your goals, strategies, and expected outcomes in a specific context, such as educational initiatives or organizational change, creating a well-defined theory of action that guides implementation and evaluation.
Building Track Facilitators
District Track Facilitators
11:45 a.m.
Leadership Luncheon
Enjoy lunch while connecting with fellow leaders.
1 p.m.
Spark Sessions: 50-minute Fresh Ideas
Choose a session that advances your Problem of Practice work with new ideas and practical insights.
Leading for Transformational Learning
Transformational Learning Principles Meet AI in Learning Design
Innovator Circle Lightning Talks
Lead With What Matters: Instruction, Every Day
Problem of Practice Coaching
Sustaining the Work – 1:1 Conversation with ISTE+ASCD Staff
2 p.m.
Problem of Practice: Creating the Plan
In this final session, you’ll develop an effective, actionable plan for achieving your goals. Engage in collaborative discussions to identify objectives, define specific actions, allocate resources, and set realistic timelines. You’ll develop an action plan tailored to your unique context, providing a clear road map for success and ensuring accountability in your efforts to drive progress and transformation.
Building Track Facilitators
District Track Facilitators
3:45 p.m.
Closing General Session: Wins & What’s Next
Take time to reflect on your transformative weekend while drawing inspiration from our closing keynote speaker. Plus, hear final thoughts from ISTE+ASCD CEO Richard Culatta to motivate you for the journey ahead.
5:30 p.m.
Dine Around San Diego
Join new friends for dinner in San Diego – dinner is “on your own,” but we’ll coordinate reservations if you’re interested in eating with a larger group.
9 a.m.
Community Impact Activity
Looking to give back? Spend the morning making a difference in the San Diego community. Activities run until 11:30 a.m., and breakfast is included.

Don't miss this chance to turn your challenge into action steps, expand your industry perspective, and connect to a personal advisory board of instructional leaders!