Generating Excellence in Every School: What’s New at the NIET 2026 National Conference

Each year, the NIET National Conference brings together educators from across the country who share a mission to build strong instructional practices and improve student achievement. The 2026 NIET National Conference will take place on April 1st and 2nd in New Orleans, Louisiana, and will provide a powerful learning experience that thousands of attendees consistently rate as exceptional. The conference draws over 1,500 teachers and teacher leaders, school leaders, district and state leaders, and others at the forefront of successful education reform.  

This year’s conference, with the theme of Generating Excellence in Every School, will offer hands-on, interactive training sessions that provide time for educators to collaborate and learn with NIET specialists and peers. Based on demand, we added another learning block to this year’s schedule, offering additional learning opportunities. 

Every session across five learning strands will provide educators with tools and techniques they can use right away in their classrooms, schools, and districts. Here’s a preview of this year’s conference strands. 

Strand 1: Generating Instructional Success

Generating excellence in every school requires instruction that is rigorous, purposeful, and aligned to student needs. Sessions in this strand will explore strategies to align instruction to rigorous standards, personalize learning for diverse needs, and leverage data to drive continuous improvement. Participants will be equipped to support diverse student needs by using research-based strategies and high-quality instructional materials, thereby transforming learning.

Strand 2: Generating Coaching and Support

Exceptional coaching doesn’t happen by chance; it’s intentional, strategic, and relentless in its pursuit of growth. This strand sharpens the skills of those who coach and mentor educators, offering strategies for providing feedback that advances practice. Participants will be equipped to build trust, push thinking, and align coaching to school and district priorities for maximum impact. 

Strand 3: Generating Early Career Teacher Success

The first years of teaching set the foundation for a lifelong career in education. This strand is designed to support early-career teachers—and those who mentor them—with the tools, support structures, and professional learning that drive success from the start. Participants will leave with practical approaches to equip early career teachers with the knowledge, skills, and strategies they need to thrive in the classroom. 

Strand 4: Generating School Leadership

School leaders play a pivotal role in shaping environments that foster the success and well-being of both educators and students. This strand offers strategies for school and district leaders to deepen their instructional leadership skills, enhance systems, and create conditions for lasting improvement. Participants will leave prepared to cultivate a positive school culture, empower teachers, and sustain excellence for every student.

Strand 5: Generating Teacher Leadership

Generating excellence in every school starts with teachers who lead from their classrooms and beyond. This strand equips educators with the skills, confidence, and strategies to expand their impact by supporting teaching and learning. Participants will explore the attributes of effective teacher leadership, build capacity to guide professional learning, and foster a culture where every teacher’s expertise contributes to collective success.

Bubble Sessions and Interactive Sessions

This year’s conference will also include opportunities to attend “bubble” sessions in which participants can observe fellow district and school leaders model best practices in collaborative meetings. Interactive Sessions will allow participants to learn from their peers about high-quality curriculum implementation, how state initiatives can support districts, and best practices from award-winning schools and districts.  

In addition to the many learning opportunities, the NIET National Conference also includes general sessions that spotlight stories of success and share ideas and successful practices behind student learning gains. General sessions will feature reflections from NIET Chairman and Founder Lowell Milken, NIET Chief Executive Officer Joshua Barnett, and NIET partners from across the country. During the conference, the NIET Founder’s Award will be presented to a top-performing school, and the NIET District Award of Excellence for Educator Effectiveness to a top-performing district. 

We look forward to seeing our partners in New Orleans on April 1-2, 2026. Look for updates on social media using the hashtag #NIET2026. Take a deeper look at the learning we have planned here.