APS Rising Educator Summit 2026

True innovation happens when we break down silos and design together. This track is designed for school teams eager to deepen collaboration, enrich student experiences, and unite their communities. Discover how to build a resilient, spirited adult team culture that fuels collective efficacy. Then, learn how to use shared interdisciplinary themes to elevate student voices across subjects, redesign beloved school traditions into rich academic milestones, and launch public exhibitions that proudly celebrate student work with families and community partners. Join us to transform how your school learns, collaborates, and celebrates together. Join us in La Sala (lower West Side) 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.

Building Team Community and Spirit: This session supports teams in intentionally building community and spirit—laying the groundwork for collaboration that sustains both adults and students. Participants explore how team culture is shaped through shared purpose, rituals, and everyday interactions, and how a strong sense of belonging fuels resilience, innovation, and collective efficacy. Amber Day, Chelsea O’Connell, Andrea Roman

Interdisciplinary Exhibition That Engages the Whole Community: This session guides teams through the process of designing interdisciplinary exhibitions that celebrate student learning and invite broader community participation. Participants consider logistical planning, role clarity, and strategies for engaging families and partners while centering authentic student work and voice. Amber Day, Megan Arling, Maria Tafoya-Trotter, Christina Chacon

Tradition Meets Redesign: How Interdisciplinary Learning Enhances Beloved School Experiences: Rather than replacing cherished traditions, this session invites teams to see them as anchors for redesign. Participants explore how interdisciplinary learning, co‑teaching, and student choice can deepen the impact of events like Greek Night or 5th‑grade transition experiences—making them more meaningful, inclusive, and academically rich. Amber Day, Bill Barnes, Terresa Roybal, Lisa Aragon, Susan Savage, Julieana Reed

VOICES: Designing Learning Through Shared Themes Across Disciplines: This session focuses on designing learning around powerful, resonant themes that span disciplines and elevate student voice. Teams explore how shared inquiry questions and themes can unify curriculum, deepen relevance, and create space for authentic student expression through products and performances. Amber Day, Annette Youngren