Top Education Conferences for K-12 Educators in 2026
Whether you’re looking to sharpen your teaching skills, explore cutting-edge educational technology, or connect with fellow educators across the country, 2026 offers an impressive lineup of professional development opportunities. From intimate workshops to massive conventions, these conferences cater to every role in K-12 education—from classroom teachers to administrators, from special education specialists to technology coordinators.
We’ve curated this comprehensive guide to help you plan your professional development calendar for the year ahead. Mark your calendars, book your travel, and get ready to be inspired!
Winter & Early Spring Conferences
Summit on RTI at Work
February 16-18, 2026 | Austin, TX
Kick off the conference season at Solution Tree’s flagship Response to Intervention event at the Hilton Austin. This summit delivers research-based strategies for implementing Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and intervention frameworks that actually work in real classrooms. The hotel booking deadline is January 23, so don’t wait to register.
Registration | Conference Details
PLC at Work Summit
February 24-26, 2026 | Phoenix, AZ
If your school is implementing or strengthening Professional Learning Communities, this Phoenix gathering is essential. Designed for educators committed to the PLC at Work framework, you’ll leave with practical strategies for collaborative teaching and learning that you can implement immediately. Hotel deadline: January 24.
Registration | Conference Details
SXSW EDU Conference & Festival
March 9-12, 2026 | Austin, TX
Where education meets innovation and culture. SXSW EDU isn’t your typical education conference—it’s an experience. With 300+ sessions, 15+ films, competitions, and 120+ networking opportunities, plus the expanded Crossover Day with the main SXSW Conference, you’ll be immersed in forward-thinking ideas that push the boundaries of what’s possible in education.
Registration | Conference Details
APBS Conference
March 11-13, 2026 | Minneapolis, MN
The Association for Positive Behavior Support brings its community to the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis with the theme “United in Impact: Strengthening the PBS Community for a Better Tomorrow.” This conference focuses on positive behavior support across school, family, and community settings—essential knowledge for creating truly supportive learning environments.
Registration | Conference Details
CEC Convention & Expo
March 11-14, 2026 | Salt Lake City, UT
The world’s largest gathering of special education professionals returns to the Salt Palace Convention Center. With 300+ sessions covering everything from research-based strategies to practical classroom tips, this is the premier event for anyone supporting learners with disabilities or gifted and talented students.
Registration | Conference Details
Spring Conferences
AI in EDU Summit
April 6, 2026 | Waltham, MA
A single day that could transform how you think about artificial intelligence in the classroom. Held at Bentley University, this intimate, hands-on workshop (with purposefully limited attendance) tackles the big questions: AI policy, student AI use, ethics, and practical tools you can actually use with your K-12 students. Hotel deadline: March 12.
Registration | Conference Details
NSBA Annual Conference
April 10-12, 2026 | San Antonio, TX
School board members, superintendents, and policy advocates converge on San Antonio’s Henry B. González Convention Center for the National School Boards Association’s flagship event. If you’re involved in educational policy or governance, this is where the conversations that shape K-12 education happen. Early bird deadline was January 16, but registration remains open.
Registration | Conference Details
ASU+GSV Summit
April 12-15, 2026 | San Diego, CA
Forbes calls it “the Davos of Education,” and with 7,000+ global EdTech leaders in attendance, that’s not hyperbole. The Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego hosts this powerhouse gathering of educators, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers. Whether you’re interested in K-12 or higher ed sessions, you’ll leave with insights into where education is heading.
Registration | Conference Details
CoSN Annual Conference
April 13-15, 2026 | Chicago, IL
For K-12 EdTech leaders, this is your conference. The Consortium for School Networking gathers at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk to tackle the issues that keep technology directors up at night: cybersecurity, student data privacy, and generative AI implementation. Registration is open now.
Registration | Conference Details
NSTA National Conference on Science Education
April 15-18, 2026 | Anaheim, CA
Science teachers, this one’s for you. With the theme “Growing Together: Collective Insights for Lifelong Learning,” this National Science Teaching Association conference features keynotes by YouTube sensation Mark Rober and educator Erin Stafford. Expect sessions covering everything from hands-on classroom practice to assessment strategies, AI integration, and teacher well-being.
Registration | Conference Details
Summer Conferences
NCSA (National Conference on Student Assessment)
June 22-24, 2026 | Austin, TX
Assessment practitioners, mark your calendars. The Council of Chief State School Officers hosts this premier forum at the JW Marriott Austin with the theme “Connecting the Dots: Building Coherent Systems.” If your work involves federal and state assessment policies, this is where you’ll find the most current thinking and policy discussions. Registration opens Spring 2026.
Registration | Conference Details
ISTELive 26 + ASCD Annual Conference
June 28-July 1, 2026 | Orlando, FL
This is the big one. The merger of ISTE (the world’s premier EdTech conference) and ASCD’s instructional leadership content creates an unprecedented professional development opportunity at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center. One registration gets you access to both conferences, with virtual options available for those who can’t make it in person.
Registration | Conference Details
NASRO National School Safety Conference
June 29-July 3, 2026 | Reno, NV
The 36th annual National Association of School Resource Officers conference brings school safety professionals to the Peppermill Reno Resort for 30+ training sessions. School resource officers and safety stakeholders will find essential professional development here. Registration opens Spring 2026.
Registration | Conference Details
NAESP National School Leaders Conference
July 13-15, 2026 | Orlando, FL
Principals and assistant principals, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is calling. The newly rebranded National Association of Elementary School Principals conference now serves PreK-12 school leaders with focused leadership development and invaluable networking opportunities. Registration opens Spring 2026.
Registration | Conference Details
National School Safety Conference & Exposition
July 20-24, 2026 | Orlando, FL
Recognized as the largest comprehensive school safety conference in the nation, this 22nd annual event at the Omni ChampionsGate Resort features nearly 50 breakout sessions. Pre-conference threat assessment training begins July 19. Registration opens Spring/early Summer 2026.
Registration | Conference Details
Fall Conferences
ASBO International Annual Conference
October 14-17, 2026 | Pittsburgh, PA
School business officials—more than 1,000 of your colleagues will gather in Pittsburgh for sessions on finance, operations, and technology trends. If you manage the business side of education, this American School Business Officials conference is where you’ll find the resources and connections you need. Registration typically opens after June 1.
National PBIS Leadership Forum
Week of October 19, 2026 | Location TBA
This U.S. Department of Education technical assistance event supports leadership teams working to strengthen prevention-based Multi-Tiered Systems of Support for behavioral needs. If your school is implementing or refining PBIS, this forum provides the guidance and support your team needs. Registration opens Summer/Fall 2026.
NCTM Annual Meeting & Exposition
October 28-31, 2026 | Denver, CO
Mathematics educators at all levels come together for the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics flagship event. From elementary through high school, you’ll find research, best practices, and innovative approaches to math instruction that will energize your teaching. Registration opens Spring 2026.
Registration | Conference Details
NAGC Annual Convention
November 5-8, 2026 | Milwaukee, WI
The National Association for Gifted Children makes its first trip to Milwaukee’s Baird Center, and they’re expecting big numbers: 2,200+ in-person attendees and 4,000+ virtual participants. If you work with gifted and talented students, you’ll find your community here. Registration opens Summer 2026.
NCTE Annual Convention
November 19-22, 2026 | Philadelphia, PA
The 116th National Council of Teachers of English convention arrives in Philadelphia with the theme “Imagine. Innovate. Inspire.” With presentations by 250+ authors and sessions spanning preK through graduate level, English language arts educators will find inspiration for every grade level. Registration opens Summer 2026, with early bird rates typically ending mid-October.
ACTFL Annual Convention
November 20-22, 2026 | San Antonio, TX
World language educators, this is your most comprehensive professional development opportunity of the year. The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages brings together teachers of all languages and levels to San Antonio’s Henry B. González Convention Center. Registration opens Spring 2026.
NCSS Annual Conference
December 4-6, 2026 | Chicago, IL
The 106th National Council for the Social Studies conference celebrates social studies education across history, civics, geography, and economics. Social studies teachers will gather at the Hyatt Regency Chicago to explore innovative approaches to helping students understand their world. Registration opens Summer 2026.
Learning Forward Annual Conference
December 6-9, 2026 | Dallas, TX
Close out the year in Dallas at the only conference focused exclusively on professional learning implementation and measurement. With the theme “Unite for Learning,” this gathering brings together educators committed to making professional development actually work. Registration opens Summer 2026.
Planning Your Conference Year
With conferences spanning from February through December, the key to maximizing your professional development is planning ahead. Consider these tips:
- Register early when possible—many conferences offer significant early bird discounts
- Check with your district about professional development funding and approval processes
- Plan for hotel bookings as soon as conference locations are announced, especially for popular destinations
- Consider virtual options when available, particularly for conferences that offer hybrid attendance
- Connect with colleagues who might want to attend the same conferences—sharing rooms and rides makes conferences more affordable and more enjoyable
Ready to make the most of your conference experience? Check out our guide on How to Get the Most Out of Education Conferences for strategies on networking, session selection, and bringing valuable insights back to your school.
Which conferences are on your radar for 2026? Whether you’re focusing on your subject area, exploring new technologies, or developing your leadership skills, there’s a conference waiting to spark your next great idea!
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