Get up to speed on new developments in the three-million-strong teaching profession with exclusive insights from Education Week’s State of Teaching project. Find out what the latest research says about changes in teacher morale—both nationally and state-by-state—and the leadership, staffing, and scheduling changes teachers say would improve their work.
District leaders, school leaders, and higher education professionals working to prepare the next generation of teachers should attend this event to:
- See the top findings from a nationally representative survey of teachers conducted by the EdWeek Research Center
- Hear from teachers and principals reflecting on the findings, the biggest challenges they face, and the way their relationships are evolving
- Find out what levers can be pulled locally and in schools to improve morale
- Learn about downloadable resources for your teams, and much more!
First time K-12 Essentials Forum attendee? Learn more about our free virtual forums.
Event Agenda
2:00pm ET
Welcome & Introduction
We'll highlight key insights from the recent Education Week State of Teaching project.
Stephen Sawchuk is an assistant managing editor for Education Week, leading coverage of teaching, learning, and curriculum.
2:10pm ET
Interactive Session: How Do Teachers Feel About the Profession?
Join us for a briefing on the latest findings from Education Week’s annual The State of Teaching Survey results. National and state-level results on teacher morale will be shared.
Holly Kurtz is the director of the EdWeek Research Center.
2:20pm ET
Industry Perspective: The Engagement Effect
Sponsor content provided by PowerSchool.
When families are truly engaged in their child’s education, teachers feel the impact. They experience greater support, reduced stress, and a renewed sense of purpose. This session explores the powerful connection between communication and teacher morale, highlighting how aligned, intentional outreach can transform school culture. By moving beyond fragmented messages to more unified strategies, schools can build trust, increase clarity, and strengthen the educator-family partnership. Discover how small shifts in communication can lead to big boosts in teacher well-being—and create a more connected learning environment for everyone.
When families are truly engaged in their child’s education, teachers feel the impact. They experience greater support, reduced stress, and a renewed sense of purpose. This session explores the powerful connection between communication and teacher morale, highlighting how aligned, intentional outreach can transform school culture. By moving beyond fragmented messages to more unified strategies, schools can build trust, increase clarity, and strengthen the educator-family partnership. Discover how small shifts in communication can lead to big boosts in teacher well-being—and create a more connected learning environment for everyone.
Steven Anderson
Senior Solution Strategy Director,
PowerSchool
2:30pm ET
Panel Discussion: The Factors Affecting Teacher Morale
Hear current classroom teachers respond to the survey findings and share their own experiences about the things that most serve to boost—or harm—how they feel about the job.
Sarah D. Sparks covers the teaching profession and pedagogy for Education Week.
Ashlie Crosson
CCSSO 2025 National Teacher of the Year
Ashlie Crosson, the 2025 National Teacher of the Year, serves as an English teacher at Pennsylvania’s Mifflin County High School, where she aims to prepare her students to navigate the complexities of our global society. Crosson believes in building a strong curriculum that develops communication skills, empowers students to solve problems and expands their worldview. Crosson teaches Advanced Placement language and composition, English 10 and Survival Stories, an elective that approaches global humanitarian crises from a youth perspective. She also advises the journalism program, which publishes the school newspaper and district magazine.
Kathleen Monegan
Math Teacher,
San Ysidro High School, CA
Kathleen Monegan is a 20-year veteran math resource teacher at San Ysidro High School in the Sweetwater, Calif. school district. She teaches Integrated 1 Math and AP Calculus.
3:15pm ET
Industry Perspective: Elevating Teachers: A Framework for Support, Retention, and Impact
Sponsor content provided by Elevate K-12.
What does it take to sustain excellent teaching in today’s education landscape? In this session, we’ll break down Elevate K-12’s full-cycle approach to teacher quality and share practical strategies districts can apply across onboarding, coaching, and development. Backed by teacher insights and real-world results, this session offers clear, actionable takeaways to help school systems attract and retain great teachers for the long term.
What does it take to sustain excellent teaching in today’s education landscape? In this session, we’ll break down Elevate K-12’s full-cycle approach to teacher quality and share practical strategies districts can apply across onboarding, coaching, and development. Backed by teacher insights and real-world results, this session offers clear, actionable takeaways to help school systems attract and retain great teachers for the long term.
Lindsay Donikian
SVP of Teacher Community,
Elevate K-12
Lindsay Donikian is the Senior Vice President of Teacher Community at Elevate K-12, where she leads the strategy to attract, support, and retain a national network of certified teachers. With two decades of leadership across marketing, growth, and teacher engagement, she brings a data-driven and human-centered lens to what it takes to sustain excellent teaching at scale.
3:25pm ET
Panel Discussion: Teachers and Principals, Side by Side
Researchers have zoned in on the critical import of strong teacher-principal relationships to strong schools and improved student learning. Hear from a dynamic teacher-principal duo about the ups, downs, and turning points in their relationship.
Madeline Will is an assistant managing editor for Education Week, leading coverage of school leadership and general education trends.
Terita Walker
Principal,
East High School, Denver, CO.
Michelle Topf
High School Teacher,
East High School, Denver, CO.
Tony Cattani
Principal,
Lenape High School, Medford County, NJ.
Christina Colangelo
Mathematics Teacher,
Lenape High School, Medford County, NJ.
3:55pm ET
Industry Perspective: The Wellness Imperative: Reimagining Support for Today’s Educators
Sponsor content provided by Emergenetics.
Educator well-being affects everything from retention to school culture. In this Q&A, you will learn how a Director of Wellness at a Colorado school district has transformed research insights into a meaningful wellness framework in her district. Discover how she and her district constructed a three-part model and how school leaders can apply it in their buildings. Expect inspiration, insights and the powerful reminder that well-being isn’t one person’s job—it’s everyone’s responsibility.
Educator well-being affects everything from retention to school culture. In this Q&A, you will learn how a Director of Wellness at a Colorado school district has transformed research insights into a meaningful wellness framework in her district. Discover how she and her district constructed a three-part model and how school leaders can apply it in their buildings. Expect inspiration, insights and the powerful reminder that well-being isn’t one person’s job—it’s everyone’s responsibility.
Debbie Brown
Director of Research,
Emergenetics
Dr. Debbie Brown is the Director of Research at Emergenetics International. Prior to joining Emergenetics, Debbie served in education for 34 years as a classroom teacher, principal and building administrator. She is responsible for creating the research and development procedures and techniques to assess the positive impact of Emergenetics in schools and workplaces across the globe. Debbie earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Bloomburg University of Pennsylvania and her master of arts in supervision and administration from the University of Phoenix. She earned her doctorate in education in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of Denver.
Melisa Sandoval
Director of Wellness,
Westminster Public Schools
Dr. Melisa Sandoval is the Director of Wellness for Westminster Public Schools, where she leads comprehensive initiatives to support staff mental health, emotional intelligence, and organizational well-being. A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC), she holds a Doctorate of Education in Professional Learning and Leadership for Educational Equity. Dr. Sandoval is certified in multiple leading emotional intelligence frameworks and facilitates the Emotionally Effective Leadership program through Multi-Health Systems. She is also a certified trainer in ASIST, PersonBrain Neurotransactional Framework, and Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid.
4:05pm ET
Interactive Session: What Do YOU Want to Learn from The State of Teaching?
Tell Education Week’s editorial team what questions you have about our coverage of teaching, or what you’d like to learn from next year’s project. You’ll have an exclusive opportunity to interact with EdWeek’s top reporters and editors in this open-ended session.
Stephen Sawchuk is an assistant managing editor for Education Week, leading coverage of teaching, learning, and curriculum.
Holly Kurtz is the director of the EdWeek Research Center.
Sarah D. Sparks covers the teaching profession and pedagogy for Education Week.
Caitlynn Peetz is a reporter for Education Week who covers school district leadership and management.
4:15pm ET
Closing Thoughts and Takeaways
Hear the big takeaways from the forum.
Stephen Sawchuk is an assistant managing editor for Education Week, leading coverage of teaching, learning, and curriculum.
Education Week’s The State of Teaching project is supported in part by grants from the following philanthropic partners: The Charles Butt Foundation, The Joyce Foundation, and the Walton Family Foundation. Our coverage of teachers and the teaching profession is also made possible by general operating support from: Carnegie Corporation of New York, Gates Foundation, The Nellie Mae Education Foundation, and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.