The National Institutes 2024 Equip Educators for Success

Sunny summer days aren't just for the pool. At The National Institutes, educators get to enjoy the pool AND professional development. Teachers from 162 districts across 35 states gathered for summer professional development in math, literacy, and world languages. In its 15th year, The National Institutes (TNI) welcomed over 900 educators for four-day events full of learning sessions, collaboration…and a little pampering! 

Let’s take a look back at our favorite moments from this year’s TNI.

LONG + LIVE + MATH 

For the first time, participants had the option to choose from three LONG + LIVE + MATH: TNI conferences, attended by over 750 math educators at resorts in San Diego, CA; Frisco, TX; and Miami Beach, FL.

TNI conference sessions emphasize attendee participation and offer collaborative learning experiences, hands-on tools, and networking opportunities.

Some of the most popular topics of the 60 hands-on breakout sessions were building thinking classrooms, fun ways to teach fractions with manipulatives, and activities that leverage the body-mind connection, like the geometry version of Dance Dance Revolution called Trans Trans Transversals. 

While the sessions, keynotes called Power Talks, and top-notch education are the standout features of LONG + LIVE + MATH, attendees return for the complete experience. After a day of learning, they can unwind with gourmet snacks, relax by the pool or beach, and explore the vibrant cities around them.

“This is the first PD I have attended in 11 years that actually models and integrates self-care for teachers,” noted Johanna Moore, a Spanish teacher from Pasadena Unified School District. “I have been tasked so many times before with taking 15 minutes of self-care and then having to write about it and create work about it. [TNI] just lets us be with ourselves with dignity and honor." 

Lead with Literacy and Language Is Limitless

Educators from across the country gathered for the final week of The National Institutes in Miami Beach, FL, for the third annual TNI conference for ELA educators. Lead with Literacy: TNI featured breakout sessions highlighting the latest trends and developments in pedagogy, offering insights and strategies specifically tailored for English Language Arts teachers. Lead with Literacy participants had the opportunity to learn about disciplinary literacy, equitable classroom practices, and authentic experiences across genres.

Simultaneously, the Language Is Limitless TNI conference provided a dedicated space for world language teachers to connect and collaborate. Language Is Limitless offered diverse breakout sessions designed to explore instructional best practices—including workshops featuring authentic texts, comprehensible input, and differentiating for heritage speakers.

Many TNI attendees appreciated the practical, ready-to-implement strategies they learned from the more than 50 breakout sessions offered by the combined conference. 

“This has been amazing. It’s actually my first year. I’m learning so many new things and talking to other educators. Every session, there is something I can take back to my school and tell the teachers about it to help every student succeed,” noted Maryam Saleh, an elementary educator from Fort Worth Independent School District in Texas.

Power Talk presenters

Each week of the 2024 TNI conferences featured two Power Talk presenters who gave informative and empowering keynote addresses. The first speaker was Amy Mayer, the founder and CEO of friEdtech, followed by Willie Spears, a life skills coach and CEO of The Willie Spears Experience. 

During her Power Talks, Amy Mayer addressed the ways in which artificial intelligence is shaping the future of education and spoke frankly about the promises and pitfalls of large language models.

“AI really is the biggest technical innovation that will happen in our lifetime, and that makes it something that we can’t fully say ‘no’ to,” she observed.

On the last day of each conference, Mr. Willie Spears’ closing keynotes reaffirmed the importance of having compassionate educators hold students to high standards. 

A former educator himself, Coach Spears gave a rousing keynote reminding educators of the unique role they play in children’s lives.

“Your words matter more,” he said. “I can tell my child to do something, but he won’t do it until his teacher says it. That’s the power of teachers; your words—they just matter more.”

TNI attendees left both Power Talks feeling energized, inspired, and renewed for the upcoming school year. 

TNI is the “best conference”

The National Institutes are an incredible professional learning experience where teachers get to grow, discover new ideas, and find inspiration. These weeks are truly unforgettable—not only because they're held in amazing locations, but also because of the energy and excitement they bring.

Whether you're a math, literacy, or language educator, or a leader at the building or district level, these events are can't-miss opportunities to recharge and gain fresh perspectives—along with a nice change of scenery!

“Best conference I've ever been to in my 30 years as an educator!” said Laurie Farr from St. Lucie Public Schools, FL, while a few fellow conference-goers learned a TikTok dance nearby. 

TNI isn’t just good PD. It’s also a really great time.

Mark your calendar for 2025

Don't miss out on the best PD events of summer 2025. Mark your calendar:

LONG + LIVE + MATH: The National Institute
TNI Central
June 23-26
Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa, San Antonio, TX

TNI West
July 14-17
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Scottsdale, AZ

TNI East
Details coming soon

Lead with Literacy: The National Institute
July 8-11
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Scottsdale, AZ

Language Is Limitless: The National Institute
July 8-11
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Scottsdale, AZ