Breakout Session Proposals Will Open March 1

STAY TUNED FOR KEYNOTE AND FEATURED SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENTS! 

About Our Theme

TEACHING AT THE INFLECTION POINT: Designing learning for a changing world

Independent schools are at a defining moment. Rapid advances in neuroscience, evolving understandings of pedagogy, accelerating technological change, and an urgent commitment to access, equity, and inclusion are reshaping what it means to teach and learn well. This is an inflection point for our profession.

This year’s conference invites educators to examine how we design learning experiences that are responsive, research-informed, and rooted in purpose. Together, we will explore how to align what we know about how students learn with how we teach, ensuring that every learner benefits in a changing world.

We will focus on four interconnected strands:

Neuroscience → Deepening our understanding of how learning works in the brain and what that means for memory, engagement, motivation, and belonging.

Pedagogy → Evolving teaching practices to meet the needs of diverse learners and designing instruction that is inclusive, responsive, and intellectually rigorous.

Technology & AI → Examining how emerging tools shape learning environments—leveraging innovation thoughtfully so that technology supports, rather than dictates, meaningful learning.

Access, Equity & Inclusion → Ensuring that advances in research, practice, and technology expand opportunity and belonging for all students.

As we engage these strands, participants will leave with research-based insights, practical strategies, and renewed clarity about how to design learning that is both future-oriented and deeply human.

Join your NWAIS colleagues this October as we explore how to teach at this inflection point—and how to design learning that prepares students not just to navigate change, but to shape it.

Propose A Breakout Session

We invite you to help shape this year’s conference by proposing a breakout session. This is a powerful opportunity to share your expertise, innovative practices, and real-world insights with colleagues across the NWAIS community. Whether you are exploring neuroscience-informed teaching, evolving pedagogy for diverse learners, thoughtful integration of technology and AI, or advancing access, equity, and inclusion, your work can spark meaningful dialogue and practical learning. Breakout sessions are designed to be interactive, relevant, and grounded in experience—offering participants strategies they can bring back to their schools. If you are experimenting, reflecting, redesigning, or leading change at this inflection point in education, we encourage you to submit a proposal and contribute to the collective learning of our community.

Timeline

• Request For Proposals Will Open: March 2, 2026
• All Proposals Must Be Submitted By: May 1, 2026
• Applicants Will Be Notified By: June 5, 2026

Presenter Discount and Process

Reserving Space

If you are interested in facilitating a meet-up, affinity or discussion session, please contact Emily McGrath to sign-up.

Conference Overview  

8:00-8:30               Registration, Light Breakfast and Coffee

8:35-8:45               Opening Remarks

8:45-9:30               Keynote Address

9:30-10:00             Coffee Break and Book Signing

10:00-11:00           Session A: Featured Speakers and Breakout Sessions

11:00-12:00           Lunch        

12:15-1:15             Session B: Featured Speakers and Breakout Sessions 

1:30-2:30               Session C: Closing Speakers and Breakout Sessions 

Join Us In Person

Valuing our time together, we will be sunsetting our asynchronous participation options. This year join your colleagues in person to experience all that the Fall Educators Conference has to offer. 

Pricing and Registration

Stay tuned for information. General registration will open August 1, 2026.

Conference Policies  

Substitution, Cancellation and Switching Policy 

Substitutions may be made any time prior to the conference. Written cancellations received by October 2, 2026 are eligible for a refund after a $25 cancellation fee. Cancellations received after October 2, 2026 are ineligible for any refund. 

Clock Hours / STARS Credits

Attendees are eligible for 4 WA clock hours, STARS Credits, and/or in-service hours. There is no cost for professional credits. 

To remain in compliance with OSPI regulations, attendees are required to opt-in for clock hours prior to or on-site at the conference on Friday, October 9, 2026. 

Any opt-in submissions received after October 9, 2026 will be deemed ineligible. 

NWAIS May Help Cover Travel Costs

The NWAIS travel reimbursement policy is designed to reimburse candidate and accredited member schools for some travel costs. This policy applies to a school’s total travel expenses (not the cost of rooms and meals), no matter how many people the school sends to the workshop. If your school spends more than $150 dollars on travel for this event and is traveling a distance greater than 250 miles you will be reimbursed a percentage of your expenses.