Support the thought leadership of TFA alumni and staff by voting for their SXSW EDU proposals. These sessions spotlight real solutions and bold ideas that are shaping the future of education. Voting runs August 5 to 24. Click on each title to learn more and cast your vote! Email us at communications@teachforamerica.org to add your session.
Leadership & Collective Action
Mobilize Your Network Through Collective Leadership
This interactive workshop explores collective leadership—how shared purpose and coordination can lead to impactful, sustainable change in education.
The Power of Us: Making Space for Cross-Sector Collaboration
This session focuses on breaking down silos and creating spaces for deep collaboration among community leaders to transform educational outcomes.
Community of Support: Enabling Coalitions to Improve Schools
Discover how a Community of Support model led to dramatic improvements in one of D.C.’s lowest performing schools, and how this model can be replicated in other communities.
Built to Belong: Building Mastery-Based Schools That Last
This panel explores how community-driven, mastery-based schools are built to endure, focusing on the importance of local context, trust, and partnerships. Leaders will share strategies for adapting bold instructional models to their community’s needs, creating schools that not only open but last. Learn how to map resources, build trust, and blend mastery with local strengths.
Building HBCU High Schools: Practical Steps for K-12 Leaders
A new high school model inspired by Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) is emerging, blending academic excellence with cultural identity. School leaders and innovation experts will discuss how to implement this model amidst resistance to culturally responsive practices, offering strategies to transform schools and unlock new pathways for students. Gain data-backed insights and actionable steps to apply HBCU principles in your own classroom or school.
Breaking Silos, Building Coalitions for Sustainable Change
This session challenges traditional leadership paradigms and explores how underrepresented leaders can disrupt inequitable practices and redefine success. Drawing on examples from education, juvenile justice, and cross-sector collaborations, Cami will share strategies to dismantle silos, build coalitions, and create lasting change that expands opportunity and equity.
Mask Off: A New Framework for Philanthropy
This panel explores how trust-based philanthropy between funders, leaders, and recipients can empower communities and drive sustainable impact. We’ll discuss the importance of reciprocal relationships and how equitable practices can transform philanthropic outcomes.
Unlocking Microschools: Philanthropy as a Catalyst
This session explores how catalytic philanthropy and innovative financing—like Building Hope’s new microschool loan program—are empowering educator-founders to scale community-rooted, learner-centered schools. Hear from funders and operators who are unlocking new models that meet the moment.
Gen Z & Talent Development
Understanding Gen Z: New Strategies to Attract & Keep Talent
Explore new strategies for recruiting and retaining Gen Z talent, focusing on why this generation views work differently and how “preview experiences” can increase commitment.
Gen Z and the New Realities of Teacher Retention
Explore key findings from a 15-year study on early-career teacher retention, including what drives persistence and how we can better support new teachers.
Next Gen Educators: Youth Leading the Future of Learning
Hear from college facilitators leading interest-driven learning experiences, exploring how student agency and talent cultivation are reshaping education.
AI & Innovation in Education
Unlearning: Using AI to Solve School-Based Problems
In this workshop, first- and second-year teachers show how AI is helping them solve classroom challenges. Join hands-on design labs to co-create real-time solutions.
The AI Time Machine: Use AI to Build the Future of Learning
This workshop gives you the tools to demystify AI and build your own AI tools to solve real-world education challenges.
Uncomfortable Truths: AI & Our Favorite Platforms
Dive deep into the uncomfortable truths about AI-powered platforms, exploring data, identity, and how engagement mechanics shape our experiences.
Rapid Curiosity: Ed R&D at the Speed of AI
This hands-on session reimagines research and development in education, focusing on rapid-cycle methods to spark real change.
Teaching & Learning
From Good to Great: Transformational Teacher Development
Led by educator Jetaun Whittlesey, this session focuses on transformational coaching to build trust, foster growth, and support teacher wellness.
Passing the Baton: What Today’s Teachers Need from Us
Gain insight into what Gen Z educators need to thrive in the classroom, from mentorship to professional development and more.
Teaching in the AI Era: What Still Matters?
In this session, we’ll explore how the role of educators is shifting in an AI-powered world and what traits will define excellence in the future.
A Better Way to Teach Math. No More Guesswork.
While the science of reading has sparked consensus, math education lacks the same alignment. A panel of math experts will discuss effective strategies for teaching foundational math, boosting student motivation, and reducing math anxiety. Learn what policymakers and educators can do to build strong math foundations and improve student outcomes.
Tech & Equity: Serving Multilingual Learners Well
This session explores how educators can use technology intentionally and equitably to support multilingual learners. Through practical examples, we’ll examine how digital tools can foster oracy, identity, and family engagement—without erasing home languages or cultures. Attendees will leave with a framework for evaluating tech through a justice-centered, multilingual lens and specific strategies to implement in PreK–2nd grade classrooms and school communities..
Student Engagement & Feedback
Student Feedback for Better Outcomes, Teaching, and Schools
Discover how gathering and acting on student feedback can improve classroom experiences, teacher practices, and school outcomes.
What Happens When Attendance in School is Obsolete?
Join an interactive experience that challenges traditional ideas of attendance and explores how to engage students meaningfully, regardless of location.
Removing Barriers to Attendance Together
Learn how addressing students’ basic needs—like clean clothes and hygiene—can reduce chronic absenteeism and build a stronger sense of belonging in schools.
Social Impact & Collaboration
Is Being an Early Childhood Educator Worth It?
Join a candid discussion about the challenges early childhood educators face, including rising expectations without the necessary support.
Building Belonging & Results in a VUCA World
Two seasoned executives share lessons learned from leading through volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity, while fostering belonging and results.
The Neuroscience of Belonging in Learning Systems
Explore how neuroscience can help create learning environments that truly honor the humanity of every student, embedding belonging as a system-level principle.
Thought Leadership & Narrative Change
Leading Conversation: Thought Leadership for Impact
Thought leadership is a powerful tool for narrative change. This meet-up invites communicators and nonprofit leaders to explore how we can amplify lived experiences, choose the right messengers, and use our voices for systems change.
Igniting the F.I.R.E. for Educational Change
This session introduces a bold framework for sparking educational transformation by leveraging cross-sector collaboration and amplifying student voices.
Radical Departures: Prototyping the Future of School Explore how bold ideas become new learning models through TFA’s Reinvention Lab and its Radical Departures framework. This session will showcase FutureShock, a space for testing innovative learning experiences, and share case studies on shifts in student learning. Participants will gain tools to design or support pilot programs in their own contexts.
From Interest to Impact: Board Service Meetup Ready to expand your leadership and support causes you care about? Join this networking meetup to connect with peers and experienced board members from education, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors. Get inspired, exchange ideas, and leave with practical tips to take the next step in your board service journey.
