2026 Event Overview

9:30-10:00AM

10:00-11:15AM

Breakfast & Networking

Welcome & Theme Framing

Opening Panel

What’s Working in North Carolina Right Now

Overview:
This opening panel sets the tone for the Summit by naming the quiet but powerful strategies already making an impact across North Carolina. Panelists representing policy, district leadership, educator preparation, classroom practice, and student voice will ground the conversation in real examples of what is working now—and what can be replicated across contexts.

Panelists:

• Geoff Coltrane, Senior Director of Government Affairs and Strategy, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

• James Ford, Executive Director, Center for Racial Equity in Education

• Valerie Bridges, Former Superintendent, Edgecombe County

• Rachel Candaso, 2025 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year

• Faith Freeman, Director of Alternative Licensure Pathways and Spartan Education Scholars, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

• Joia Ubia, Senior, Orange High School

Moderator:

• Keiyonna Dubashi, Profound Ladies

11:15-11:30PM

Transition to Breakout Sessions

Participants transition to breakout rooms.

11:30-12:30

Breakout Session Block 1

Participants select one of the following sessions.

• Growing Our Own: The FATE Program Model for Developing and Supporting American Indian Educators

• From Stabilization to Acceleration: Designing Induction Systems That Meet Beginning Teachers Where They Are

• The Second-Career Pipeline: Building a No-Debt Licensure Pathway for Community-Based Talent

• Strengthening the Rural Educator Pipeline: Residency and Community Schools as Strategies for Diversity

12:30-1:30

Information About Speakers & Breakouts