We stopped acting like glorified accountants managing a decline and started acting like strategists hunting for value.

The finalists for the 2026 award are Demetrus Liggins, Roosevelt Nivens, Heather Perry and Sonja Santelises.

Date &amp; Time: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 2 p.m. ET <br><br> In this 30-minute Ed Talk, participants will explore how inquiry-based learning (IBL) experiences grounded in the design process through engineering and maker-style enrichment encourages persistence, collaboration, and productive struggle. The presentation will also examine why after-school time is uniquely positioned to support this work.

The conference, which begins Jan. 11 in Orlando, offers education leaders and their teams new insights on harnessing AI, expanding project-based learning and practicing self-care.