APS Rising Educator Summit 2026

True educational impact happens when we know how to navigate the systems around us—and how to change them for the better. This track is a masterclass in professional advancement and structural strategy. Demystify your career path by getting in-person roadmap guidance from the APS Licensure team, and discover how completing your National Boards can seamlessly elevate your formative assessment practices. Simultaneously, look at institutional growth by diving deep into the tech side of student interventions with MTSS tools in Synergy, learning how to launch a Career Technical Student Organization (CTSO), and joining a collaborative, honest session to reimagine school evaluation systems so they actually reflect the true gains of your students and community. Join us in the Sky Bridge for a dynamic and interactive series of poster sessions designed to spark innovation and provide practical solutions for today’s educators. These sessions offer a unique opportunity to engage directly with experts, explore visual data, and take away actionable strategies in a concise, high-impact format.

Optimizing Student Support Systems using MTSS within Synergy: Effective student intervention requires a seamless blend of strategy and technology. This course provides a comprehensive deep dive into our Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework, focusing on practical tools like Behavior Points, Observations, Check-In/Check-Out (CICO), and MTSS Plans. Participants will leave with the ability to navigate the MTSS modules and leverage rewards systems to foster a positive school culture. Patricia Salaz, Jude Garcia and Nicole Sullo

Navigating the APS Licensure Maze: Don't navigate the path to advancement alone. Whether you’re advancing your license, navigating the alternative licensure route, or adding an endorsement, our Licensure team is here to help you skip the paperwork headaches. Get your questions answered in person and leave with a clear roadmap to your goals. Kerry Wellborn

So You Want to Start A Career Technical Student Organization!: Benefits of a Career Technical Student Organization and how it will enhance your CTE Program. Which CTSO will fit you best? Steps to start, funding support and more. Richard Faulkner

Reimagining Schools and School Evaluation: Are you tired of "data driven" this and "data driven" that being dictated to you from on high? Do you get the feeling that this supposed data does not accurately reflect the gains your students are making? You are not alone! During this collaborative session, we will critically examine our state and district evaluation system learn why certain things are necessary user ESSA while also trying to reimage what kind of evaluation might empower our students and communities. If time permits we will also discuss how to visually represent the data to reach more people in our communities. Athena Torretti

National Boards and Formative Assessment: A Match Made in Heaven?: Have you been thinking of doing your National Boards but have been hesitant because you are nervous about the video portion? I was there once too, but then I was asked to implement a new technology into my classroom and then it started to make more sense. Come hear about my own journey to National Boards and why I think everyone can benefit from going through this process. I will share some of the lessons I learned along the way about lesson planning and how to integrate Formative Assessments more seamlessly into the classroom. Sarah Schmitz