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School of Education
School Leadership Institute

SURN Leadership Conference

 2026 Logo - Leadership Conf.

The 28th annual SURN Leadership Conference brings together school and district leaders to look, listen, and learn as they explore persistent problems of practice. This year’s theme, Learning Leaders IMAGINE, invites leaders to look beyond the boundaries and barriers and visualize education from a different perspective.

  • Imagine schools where deep understanding of brain-based science drives improvements in school climate, instruction, and discipline.
  • Imagine schools committed to approaching conflict directly, employing useful strategies to make discourse productive.
  • Imagine districts where technology is a priority, and students, teachers, and leaders are prepared for the possibilities of an AI-driven world.
  • Imagine a strong teacher and leader candidate pool and robust retention in our schools.

Our keynote speakers, session leaders, and staff will focus on just that – helping leaders imagine schools where leaders innovate and create as they meet the changing needs of students. 

Horacio Sanchez photo

 

 

Opening Keynote: W&M SURN is excited to host Horacio Sanchez as the opening keynote speaker for this year’s conference. Horacio has been a teacher, administrator, clinician, mental health director, and consultant to the Departments of Education in North Carolina and Pennsylvania. He is the author of the best-selling book, The Education Revolution, which applies brain science to improve instruction, behavior, and school climate.  

 

 

AUDIENCE

  • K - 12 School and Central Office Leaders 

DETAILS

  • Monday & Tuesday, June 15 - 16, 2026 

  • 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Registration opens at 8:00 a.m.

  • W&M School of Education 

FEES

  • $500/individual - SURN Division Member 

  • $600/individual - General (Non-SURN Division Member) 

  • $475/each - Team (3 or more), SURN Division Member 

  • $575/each - Team (3 or more), General (Non-SURN Division Member)

Includes morning coffee, conference, lunch, & materials each day

Register here:

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Please email surn@wm.edu with any dietary needs you have prior to June 1, 2026. After this date, we are not able to accommodate dietary requests.   

SURN is unable to provide a refund for this event. If a registered individual cannot attend, a substitute can be sent in their place. Please email surn@wm.edu with this change.  

Registration will close approximately one week in advance of this event or earlier, if the event reaches capacity. We will update this webpage when registration closes. 

If you're interested in your division joining SURN, please have your Superintendent or Superintendent's designee contact Amy Colley at accolley@wm.edu.

Please email surn@wm.edu for questions about registration or this event.