Making Schools Work Conference Schedule

Overview

2026 Conference Schedule

Presenter talks to attendees during his 2025 session.

While our schedule is subject to change, you can get a preview of what we currently have planned by checking out our 2026 schedule below. 

Tuesday*

Time Event
8 – 8:30 a.m. Coffee for Learning Community^ Attendees
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Conference Registration Open
8:30 – 9:45 a.m. Learning Community (Pre-Conference) Opening Forum (open to all registered learning community attendees)
9:30 – 10:45 a.m. State Agency Collaborative (by invitation)
10 – 11 a.m.  Learning Community Breakout #1 
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. 
  • Learning Community Attendee Lunch (learning community registration required)
  • Pacesetter Award Recipient and State Agency Collaborative Luncheon (by invitation) 
11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m Educational Escape Room Open
12 – 1 p.m.
  • Learning Community Breakout #2 (learning community registration required)
  • Pacesetter Award Recipient Team Pictures and Rehearsal (invite only)
  • Making Schools Work Orientation (Elementary/Middle/High Schools and Technology Centers) (open to all attendees)
1:30 p.m. Conference Begins
1:30 – 3:10 p.m

General Session:

  • Welcome
  • Pacesetter Awards Recognition
  • Keynote: Kim Strobel, “The Science of Happiness”
3:10 – 5 p.m.
  • Educational Escape Room Open
  • YouScience Lab Open
3:30 – 4:30 p.m. 
  • State Meetings
  • Concurrent Breakout Sessions #1

*Locations and session information will be in the app closer to the start of the conference.

^All events listed as Learning Community require prior registration to that community to attend.

Wednesday*

Time Event
7 – 8 a.m.  Coffee
7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Conference Registration Open
8 – 9 a.m. Concurrent Breakout Sessions #2
8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.  Networking Events:
  • Educational Escape Room
  • Sponsor Sessions
  • PBL Playground
  • YouScience Certification Exams
  • Team Meetings (by reservation)
  • SREB Experience Zone: Community Hub
  • SREB Experience Zone: Leadership Exchange
  • SREB Experience Zone: Postsecondary Student Success
  • SREB Experience Zone: Share Your SREB Story
  • SREB Experience Zone: Teaching Strategies Corner
  • Ideation Station: Learning Lounge
  • Ideation Station: Meet the Author
  • Ideation Station: Pay It Forward
9:15 – 10:15 a.m. 

  • Featured Sessions: Natasha Brown and Thomas C. Murray

  • Concurrent Breakout Sessions #3
10:15 – 10:45 a.m. Break and Snacks
10:45 – 11:45 a.m. Concurrent Breakout Sessions #4 
11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Lunch
1 – 2 p.m. 
  • Featured Sessions: Lisa Bonelli and  Baruti Kafele
  • Concurrent Breakout Sessions #5 
2 – 2:30 p.m. Networking Break^
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.  Concurrent Breakout Sessions #6
2:30 – 4:30 p.m. Learning Community Featured Event and Networking Session (learning community registration required)
2:30 – 5:30 p.m. Industry Tour

*Locations and session information will be in the app closer to the start of the conference.

^Snacks are not provided during this break

Thursday*

Time Event
7 – 8 a.m.  Coffee
8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Conference Registration Open
8 – 9 a.m. Concurrent Breakout Sessions #7
8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.  Networking Events:
  • Educational Escape Room
  • Sponsor Sessions
  • PBL Playground
  • YouScience Certification Exams
  • Team Meetings (by reservation)
  • SREB Experience Zone: Community Hub
  • SREB Experience Zone: Leadership Exchange
  • SREB Experience Zone: Postsecondary Student Success
  • SREB Experience Zone: Share Your SREB Story
  • SREB Experience Zone: Teaching Strategies Corner
  • Ideation Station: Learning Lounge
  • Ideation Station: Meet the Author
  • Ideation Station: Pay It Forward
9:15 – 10:15 a.m. 

  • Featured Sessions: Tony Johnson and Betsy Wills

  • Concurrent Breakout Sessions #8
10:15 – 10:45 a.m. Break and Snacks
10:45 a.m. – 12 p.m.

General Session:

  • Keynote: John Hodge, “You Can Get in the Way: How You Can Become a Roadblock to Risk Factors” 
12 – 1 p.m. Lunch
1 – 2 p.m.
  • Featured Sessions: Marck Abraham and Nicole Cobb
  • Concurrent Breakout Sessions #9
2 – 2:30 p.m. Networking Break^
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.  Concurrent Breakout Sessions #10
2:30 – 4:30 p.m. Learning Community Featured Event and Networking Session (learning community registration required)

*Locations and session information will be in the app closer to the start of the conference.

^Snacks are not provided during this break.

Friday*

Time Event
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Coffee
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. 

Concurrent Breakout Sessions #11
8:30 – 10:30 a.m.
  • SREB Coaching Deep Dives
  • Learning Community Featured Event and Networking Session (learning community registration required)
9:45 – 10:45 a.m.  Concurrent Sessions #12
11:00 a.m.  Conference Closes

*Locations and session information will be in the app closer to the start of the conference.