AASB’s 73rd Annual Conference & Youth Leadership Institute

As the state’s largest gathering of education policymakers, this conference provides school board members with a valuable opportunity to learn from their peers, engage with education experts, and strengthen collaboration within their board-superintendent teams. Sessions are designed to equip school boards with content knowledge, practical tips, and tools to energize them, inspire change, and advance student achievement. We also have an event for your district’s student leaders – the Youth Leadership Institute, an integral part of the conference! The Youth Leadership Institute brings high school students from throughout Alaska together to build leadership skills and use their voices to become change-makers in their schools and communities. Online Registration Closes: October 22, 2026 at 4:59 pm AK This year, all conference sessions will be held at the William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center (555 W 5th Ave, Downtown Anchorage). This new location provides expanded meeting space and greater accessibility to fulfill our mission to serve Alaska’s students and communities. This year’s theme, “Coming Together for Alaska’s Students,” reflects our collective commitment to collaboration, connection, and student success. School board members, superintendents, and education advocates from across the state will gather to share ideas, learn from one another, and strengthen the governance that supports public education in Alaska. Now more than ever, we need to come together. Thursday, November 5 – Sunday, November 8, 2026 An integral part of the conference is the Youth Leadership Institute (YLI), an inspiring experience that brings high school students from around Alaska to build leadership skills alongside their school boards and learn how to be powerful advocates for their schools and communities. Boards are encouraged to bring student representatives to participate! Students will spend 4 days with peers and guest speakers from across Alaska. This year’s theme, “Coming Together for Alaska’s Students,” will empower youth to use their voices to be change-makers in their schools and communities. Engaging breakout sessions with speakers and school board members enable conversations at a level unique to Youth Leadership Institute. Shine at Alaska’s largest gathering of education leaders with an Annual Conference Sponsorship, or go further with the PLUS Add-On for year-round visibility at all of AASB’s statewide events. Learn how to get started here. If you have any questions, contact our marketing team! Are you presenting at AASB’s Annual Conference? Click here for presenter-specific information. Brookings Institution, Georgetown University We are thrilled to have Rebecca Winthrop, a globally recognized leader in education and a Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution and Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University, joining us for this year’s conference! Her work focuses on ensuring all young people—especially the most marginalized—develop the skills they need to thrive in work, life, and as engaged citizens. She leads innovative research on transforming education systems, including the role of families, communities, and emerging technologies in accelerating student agency, engagement, and learning. Winthrop currently leads the Brookings Global Task Force on AI in Education and has co-authored a book on student engagement, The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better. A trusted adviser to governments, schools, parent networks, international institutions, foundations, and companies, her expertise has informed efforts at the United Nations, the White House, State, and school district leaders, and Fortune 500 firms. Prior to Brookings, she spent 15 years working on education for displaced and conflict-affected communities, including as head of education for the International Rescue Committee. Winthrop holds a Ph.D. from Columbia University Teachers College. Alaska State Writer Laureate T’set Kwei yóo x̱at duwasáakw. Vera Starbard áyá ax̱ saayí. Dleit ḵáa x̱’éináx̱ Vera Marlene Bedard yóo x̱at duwasáakw. Leeneidi naax̱ x̱at sitee. T’akdeintaan yádi. Wooshkeetaan dachx̱án. Dena’ina dachx̱án. Takjik’ ḵwáan áwé uháan. Shaan Seetxʼ yéi x̱at ḵoowdiztee. Xʼáatʼ Tʼáakx’ ḵux̱aa.óo. Vera Starbard, T’set Kwei, is a Tlingit Raven of the Leeneidi (Dog Salmon clan) after her mother, and a Child of T’akdeintaan. Her paternal grandfather is of the Wooshkeetaan Clan, and her maternal grandfather is Dena’ina Athabascan. Vera’s ancestors are from the village of Tuxecan on Prince of Wales Island, she was born in Shaan Seet (Craig,) and she’s lived in many communities throughout Alaska. Vera was appointed to be the Alaska State Writer Laureate in 2024. She is a four-time Emmy-nominee as a writer and story editor for the PBS Kids children’s program “Molly of Denali.” Vera was previously Playwright-in-Residence at Perseverance Theatre through the A