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The U.S. Department of Education continues its commitment to support the work of PK-12 educators by hosting two Teach to Lead Summits each year. These summits convene teams of PK-12 educators and their partners from across the country to engage in focused planning and thought partnership around innovative ideas to improve the educator experience and elevate the education profession. Each Teach to Lead team must include at least one practicing classroom teacher.

The Summer 2025 Teach to Lead Summit has been postponed, but we are in the process of finalizing dates for a fall convening in Texas.  To receive updated information on the Fall 2025 Teach to Lead Summit as soon as it is available, please contact us at eed-ta@aemcorp.com.

Interested in applying for a future event? Submit an application form. 

What is Teach To Lead?

Teach To Lead (TTL) began as a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Education, ASCD, and TeachPlus, and envisions a world where teachers are valued as experts in instruction and leaders in informing, developing, and implementing policy and practice to steer systematic improvements to benefit student learning.

Teach To Lead Summits provide teams with collaborative planning time, skills development, and professional consultation to develop and refine innovative projects that can make a positive impact for educators and students in their schools, communities, districts, and states. For more information, please contact us at EED-TA@aemcorp.com.

Teach to Lead Summits are three-day convenings to help spotlight and advance groundbreaking work that is happening in states, districts, and schools across the country, focused on the summit theme. During the summit, teams of educators think deeply about a problem of practice – an idea for how to improve learning in their school, district, or state context – and work as a team to plan solutions. Teams engage in facilitated activities designed to clearly define a problem of practice and identify specific root causes to more effectively plan strategies and activities that, when implemented, will lead to positive outcomes for students, staff, and schools. Over the course of the three days, teams are challenged by small-group facilitators (critical friends) and peer teams through a series of activities and consultancies to fully conceive a theory of change that can be operationalized through a logic model. Teams also participate in a mini workshop focused on strategic communications to inform formal presentations that occur on day 3 during the highly anticipated Gallery Walk.

  • Development and refinement of a theory of change that addresses a challenge within a school, district, region, or state
  • Support of a dedicated “critical friend” to facilitate thinking and advance project work
  • Relationship-building with the U.S. Department of Education, education partners, and innovative peers
  • Learning experiences related to strategic communications and implementation planning
  • Free registration and two nights (Friday and Saturday) of free on-site lodging for up to five team members

 Testimonials

Our work speaks through the words of those we've helped.

"The Teach to Lead Summit offered our team a supportive environment, valuable tools, and effective protocols for refining our logic model. Ongoing questioning and feedback from our critical friend David, along with insights from other teams at the summit, significantly enhanced our project. I highly recommend that school and district participate in the Teach to Lead Summit to refine their ideas and contribute to strengthening our educational system."

Zuobin Tang, Program Manager, 
NYC Men Teach

"The Teach to Lead Summit was an amazing experience! It made me realize that everyone has a voice and when you share your passion, others will listen! As Kendra and I worked to find ways to add more LMS [library media specialist] collaboration, I realized that there is power in numbers."

Mindy Smith, 
Barbourvile Independent School District 
KEDC HERO Grant

“This Summit was a reinforcement of my knowledge of Systems Thinking and Teacher Leadership. It was quite a refreshing experience that filled up my tank!”

Dawn Gifford-Jimenez, MedTech Teacher, 
Beaufort High School

“My life changed the day I went to a Teach to Lead Summit. The goal of these gatherings is to encourage teachers to step up as leaders in their own schools and communities and effect positive change. Educators, school officials, and community members from all walks of life came together at the summit I went to brainstorm creative ways to address pressing issues in the classroom. The chance to collaborate on a project with other teachers who were enthusiastic about making a difference for their students was invaluable. Following a predetermined procedure, we were able to hone our project concept, create a workable strategy, and get ready to present our effort to possible backers. I came away from the summit with fresh perspectives and ideas that I could bring to my own classroom and school, as well as practical leadership skills like project management and cooperation. Educators who shared my enthusiasm for the subject matter formed a strong community of support and made friendships that have lasted long after the event ended. By highlighting the significance of teacher-driven innovation and equipping me with the resources and self-assurance to fight for significant educational reform, the Teach to Lead Summit ultimately made me a better leader.”

Deidre Appleby, Director, 
Beaufort County School District

"Teach to Lead was truly the most amazing experience! From volunteering at a local school in San Diego to working with other experts in the field to presenting and showcasing our passion for what we do-- everything was absolutely awesome! I am beyond grateful for this opportunity and cannot wait to continue the work we've started."

Kendra Doolin, 
Knox County Central Elementary School, 
KEDC HERO Grant teacher

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Agenda Example

*Agendas are subject to change and vary with each summit.

View Agenda Template

Frequently Asked Questions

The selection process to attend a Teach to Lead Summit is competitive. All teams will be notified if they are accepted or not.

Team members should represent the perspectives, roles, and organizational authority needed to support project implementation. These roles may include, but are not limited to, building and/or district leadership, instructional coaches, other certified staff, regional or SEA staff, paraprofessionals, aspiring educator candidates, or grant/partner organization representatives (IHEs, community partners or board members).

Typically, no more than 5 team members are allowed to attend. Additional team members may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.

Teams report leveraging Title IIA funds, American Rescue Plan funds, and grant funds to cover the costs of airfare, ground transportation, and meals.

We do not provide lunch; however, we do provide ample time for teams to break for lunch at nearby locations.

We encourage you to select team members who can make the commitment to attend the full event. We discourage teams from applying if all team members can’t make the full commitment.

A critical friend is a skilled small-group facilitator who is tasked with guiding your team through the Teach to Lead journey. Individuals are recruited from the U.S. Department of Education, Regional Comprehensive Centers, and from other educational organizations. As often as possible, teams are paired with a critical friend who has subject matter expertise on the topic the team is focused on.

All teams are expected to leave the event with a refined theory of action and logic model, a well-developed pitch, and a draft implementation plan. The culminating activity, a gallery walk, allows teams to pitch their ideas, network with peers, and gain insights into how other teams are approaching similar challenges.

The “official” dress code is business casual. Participants may still decide to wear business attire. Some teams wear items that display their organizational logo.

We will settle the bill for your lodging during the summit. Your credit card will only be charged if you are staying outside the dates covered or if you charge additional expenses to your room. In the event you can’t attend the Summit, you are responsible for canceling your reservation. If you do not cancel, you will be charged for one night accommodation.

Critical friend volunteers are matched with participating teams to provide thought partnership, subject-matter expertise, and small-group facilitation to guide and support teams throughout the event. These individuals often represent Regional Comprehensive Centers, federally-funded technical assistance centers, and other organizations that support educators.