Leadership Summit Reflection

Last month, over 100 school and district leaders gathered in New Orleans for NTN’s Leadership Summit 2025. Centered around the theme “Leading with Purpose: Shaping Spaces for Agency and Equity,” this event provided a retreat-like atmosphere that allowed attendees to thoughtfully reflect on their current realities and explore how they could design more equitable and agency-driven spaces for students and staff.

It was inspiring to witness the curiosity and engagement of all the participants, especially given that they took time out of their demanding schedules to attend. The opening keynote by NTN CEO, Jim May, provided a framework that empowered participants to continue their design work beyond the Summit, focusing on fostering deeper learning of those in our care. Throughout the event, impactful readings, tools, and deep dive sessions focused on evaluating and activating learner agency, shifting the focus from compliance to ownership. Leaders were encouraged to think about how they could make small yet meaningful changes in their everyday practices to dramatically improve the experience for those they lead.

The learning at Leadership Summit was not just theoretical but deeply practical. Attendees were equipped with actionable tools and frameworks, such as the “Compliance to Agency” continuum, which they could immediately use to inform their leadership by design. The Summit also encouraged participants to challenge their current thinking and approach to school design, with the understanding that real change requires intentionality, collaboration, and risk-taking. The sense of community and collaboration at the summit fostered a dynamic environment for sharing ideas and creating new connections, which will undoubtedly be carried forward into their professional practices.

We are so grateful for the attendees who made Leadership Summit 2025 a successful and transformative experience. The connections made, the conversations had, and the frameworks shared will have a lasting impact on all who attended. We are excited to continue this journey at the New Tech Annual Conference in Oakland, CA, from July 15-18. It’s another chance to spark new insights, engage in meaningful dialogue, and keep shaping the learning spaces of tomorrow.