Spring Summit 2026

K12 Future Collaborative: Spring Summit '26

Guest Leader Scholarship Application (Please read details below before completing.)

This spring, join K12 District Administrators from across the Midwest for a three-day summit all the ways AI is infusing with education.

As the school year winds down, this summit is designed to spark new ideas and strategies you can take into your summer planning. You'll engage in expert-led sessions and dive deep in peer conversations with districts already doing innovative work in this space. Walk away with fresh approaches to explore, practical frameworks to adapt, and the insights you need to make your summer work with your team more focused and productive.

Over the three days, you can expect:

• Expert-led sessions on leadership, strategy, and systems-level thinking

• Meaningful collaboration with peers who are navigating similar challenges

• Plenty of time to connect—over good food, informal conversations, and some well-earned fun

• A space that’s energizing, practical, and grounded in the real work of district leadership

Complete Spring Summit '26 - Schedule (working draft)

We'll kick things off with our District Visit:

Experience Innovation in Action: Business INCubator Site Visit

Wheaton Warrenville South High School

Are you looking to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world entrepreneurship? Then you are invited to Wheaton Warrenville South High School for an inside look at how CUSD 200 is transforming the student experience through our Business INCubator program.

What is INCubatoredu?

This isn’t your typical business class. It is a rigorous, full-year entrepreneurship journey where students move from problem identification to a professional "Shark Tank" style pitch. Along the way, they aren't just reading about business concepts—they are working with industry experts and real entrepreneurs to validate their ideas.

What Makes our Program Special?

Our program is a proven model for student success and post-secondary readiness by offering:

• Dual Credit & Endorsements: The course offers six hours of Dual Credit and serves as the capstone for students to earn an ISBE College and Career Pathway Endorsement.

• National Recognition: Our results speak for themselves—a 2019 CUSD 200 team won the National Pitch competition, securing $15,000 in funding.

Event Highlights

• Live Pitches: Watch two student groups from WWS deliver their final business pitches.

• Student Q&A: Engage with a panel of students to hear firsthand how this program has built their resilience and professional skills.

• Stakeholder Insights: Connect with a panel of administrators, teachers, and community mentors to discuss the logistics, impact, and scaling of the program.

  
  

Learn More: INCubatoredu Experience

Friday we'll wrap up with a session led by Naperville 203 staff and students:

Innovation For Transformation - Planning & Systemizing AI Within A School System

Naperville 203 is committed to transitioning to innovative pedagogical models that personalize learning for students. Through the formation of an Innovation Think Tank committee, district leaders have designed ways to capture innovative practices directly from the classroom and foster teacher and student voice. As education faces a new era driven by technological advancements, teachers are now at the forefront of reimagining and restructuring educational approaches. Naperville will share their strategy for deepening staff capacity to effectively utilize generative AI tools for innovation, task efficiencies, enhanced student engagement, and share their multifaceted approach to advancing staff proficiency in AI from basic substitution to transformational use. They will showcase the ways they are enabling educators to design and implement AI-driven instructional strategies that significantly enhance learning experiences for all students, streamline tasks, and foster a culture of innovation for and with stakeholders. Leadership will share their strategic plan for innovative technology and their partnership with LEAP Innovations who have been an integral thought-partner in this work. 

Naperville has been able to: 

• Establish deep AI knowledge within the school system

• Apply learning & experience to create professional learning for staff 

• Formalize tool adoption protocols

• Deliver professional learning sessions developed to support new staff mentoring and preparation for district AI philosophy and implementation

• Recommend academic integrity guidelines and policy for educators and students

• Leverage student voice to inform needs and next steps

General Session Leader:

Holly Clark is a passionate educator and digital learning pioneer who has made significant contributions to the field of educational technology. With over 25 years of experience, Holly is an international speaker, bestselling author, and dedicated advocate for digital learning. She was one of the first teachers in the nation to have a 1:1 classroom and she now shares her knowledge and insights to help other teachers tap into their blended learning genius.

Holly has worked with over 150k educators on thoughtfully understanding AI and how it can help them in the classroom, but also empower student learning experiences.

Who is Eligible to Attend?

K12 Administrators who are shaping what’s next in teaching, learning, and leadership. All attendees need to meet the following criteria:

• District Leader of Academics, Instruction or Student Services reporting to the Superintendent

• District Enrollment Size of 3,000 - 40,000 Students

• District Located in the Midwest (IL, IN, IA, KA, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, & WI)

Eligible leaders will be able to attend at the following rates:

• K12 Future Collaborative Members - Free

• Guest Leader Scholarship Recipient - $200! (limited availability so apply soon!)

  • Guest Leader Scholarship Application

• Guest Leader General Registration - $550 (available until 4/10)

  • Guest Leader General Registration Form link will be available after all Scholarships are awarded. Please reach out to info@k12future.com with any questions.

    
    

Can our business sponsor the Summit?

Businesses that would like to sponsor the Summit must have a current business relationship with Midwestern districts. Sponsors of the Summit will be allowed to send participants to the event. To inquire about possibly sponsoring and learn more details, please fill out the form in the following link.

Spring Summit Sponsorship Inquiry