Planning your 2025 calendar? Education conferences are one of the best ways for educators to recharge, connect, and bring fresh strategies back to their schools. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for practical tools or big-picture inspiration, because there’s always a conference out there for you.  

In this guide, we’ve rounded up 10 top education events across the U.S. and beyond. They are sorted by focus area to help you find the ones worth attending (or bookmarking for next year).

Main Takeaways

  • Education conferences are one of the best ways for K-12 educators to recharge and grow. 
  • In 2025, educators can choose from events focused on EdTech, instructional leadership, early learning, and education policy. This guide organizes top events by category to help you find the ones most relevant to your role.
  • Most conferences offer in-person or hybrid formats, with pricing that ranges from affordable one-day passes to multi-day national events. The earlier you register, the more you typically save.
  • Big names like SXSW EDU, ISTELive, and Get Your Teach On are returning in 2025, along with research-heavy events like AERA and ICERI. You’ll find inspiration, innovation, and practical strategies no matter where you go.

Sched makes it easy to organize and run conferences, workshops, and PD days. If you’re hosting an event this year, explore how Sched can help you keep everything organized and running smoothly.

5 Reasons to Attend Education Conferences in 2025

1. Personalize your professional development

Conferences let you choose sessions aligned with your role, goals, and interests, ranging from AI in education to inclusive instruction. You’re in control of what you learn and how fast you grow.

2. Connect with peers who get it

Step out of your school bubble and meet educators from across the country (or globe). These events are prime opportunities to build real relationships, swap strategies, and leave with new contacts you can lean on all year.

3. Learn what’s working right now

From neuroscience-backed teaching tools to real-world case studies, education conferences bring fresh, proven ideas you can bring back to your school and start using immediately.

4. Spark new energy and inspiration

Maybe you gather inspiration from a powerful keynote or an unexpected conversation over coffee, but one thing is true across the board: the best education events remind you why you do this work, and help you return with renewed momentum.

5. Stay ahead of the curve

Education is evolving really fast. Conferences help you stay current on emerging policies, instructional trends, and technologies so you can lead with confidence in your classroom or district.

EdTech & Innovation Conferences

1. SXSW EDU Conference and Festival

  • Location: Austin, Texas
  • Date: March 3-6, 2025 *(March 9-12, 2026 in Austin, TX) 
  • Audience: K-12 educators and innovators in edtech and learning design
  • Cost: $595-$795 
  • Format: In-person + on-demand recordings

A dynamic hub for bold ideas on education, tech-enhanced learning, equity, and creativity. Expect hands-on sessions, networking opportunities with innovators, and the ability to this year’s keynote and featured sessions on demand.

2. ASCD Annual and ISTELive 25 Co-Location

  • Location: San Antonio, Texas
  • Dates: June 29-July 2, 2025
  • Audience: School leaders, curriculum directors, tech coaches
  • Cost: $895 Regular Pricing and $795 Member Discount
  • Format: In-person

It’s the world’s premier EdTech event, a powerhouse combination of instructional leadership strategies and cutting-edge edtech. You’ll dive into AI integration, leadership frameworks, and workshops from both associations.

3. EDUCAUSE Annual Conference (Higher Education Tech)

  • Location: Nashville, Tennessee 
  • Dates: October 27-30, 2025 (Online: November 12-13, 2025)
  • Audience: IT leaders, edtech coordinators, district tech directors
  • Cost: $809 on Early Bird Discount for EDUCAUSE members and $1,184 for nommembers. *Early bird discount is valid through August 12, 2025. Prices for single-day registrations vary by day and membership. 
  • Format: Hybrid (in‑person + virtual)

While focused on post-secondary institutions, this event dives deep into infrastructure, accessibility, and tech integrations applicable to K-12 leaders.

Instructional Leadership & Professional Development

4. Model Schools Conference 2025

  • Location: National Harbor, Maryland
  • Dates: June 22-25, 2025 *(June 28 – July 1st, 2026 in Orlando, FL) 
  • Audience: District leaders, principals, leadership teams
  • Cost: $1195 up until June 2025 per individual
  • Format: In-person

Hosted by the Center for Model Schools (HMH), this event brings together forward-thinking district leaders, principals, and educators who are focused on transforming schools through innovative leadership and evidence-based practices. Sessions feature real success stories from districts nationwide.

5. Get Your Teach On (GYTO) Fest 2025

  • Location: Dallas, Texas
  • Dates: June 29 – July 2, 2025 *(January 17-19, 2026 in Las Vegas, NV) 
  • Audience: Classroom teachers (K–8)
  • Cost: Ranging from $99 for a virtual experience to $639 for a 4-day all-access pass
  • Format: In-person

This high-energy conference is designed for K-8 educators looking to transform their classroom practice and student engagement. Sessions focus on real-talk teaching strategies, motivation, and practical tools to help you reignite your passion and level up your instruction.

6. Fall Learning & The Brain Conference 

  • Location: Boston, Massachusetts
  • Dates: November 14-16, 2025 (Also available online via Zoom) 
  • Audience: Teachers, school psychologists, learning support staff
  • Cost: Not available 
  • Format: Hybrid

In the Learning & Brain Conference, you’ll gain neuroscience-based strategies for equitable, engaging classrooms. The conference covers topics such as executive functions, social-emotional learning, and more.

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Early Childhood Education

7. NAEYC Annual Conference & Expo

  • Location: Orlando, Florida
  • Dates: November 19-22, 2025
  • Audience: Early childhood educators, directors, policy advocates
  • Cost: TBD (2024 fees ranged from $150-$455) 
  • Format: In-person + selected virtual sessions

This is the largest early learning event in the U.S., packed with sessions on advocacy, play, and family engagement. It’s a must-attend for anyone supporting young learners during their most critical years of development.

Research & Policy Events

8. AERA Annual Meeting

  • Location: Denver, Colorado
  • Dates: April 23-27, 2025 *(April 8-12, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA)
  • Audience: Researchers, advanced practitioners, district leaders
  • Cost: Member ~$250 and Non‑Member ~$400
  • Format: In-person

It’s the largest K–12 research conference worldwide. This year’s theme, “Research, Remedy, and Repair”, centered on how evidence-based inquiry can address systemic inequities, inform policy, and strengthen educational practice. Attendees can expect hundreds of sessions covering topics like culturally responsive teaching, assessment reform, literacy interventions, and the future of teacher preparation. It’s an essential event for anyone shaping the future of education through equity and research-driven strategies.

9. ICERI 2025

  • Location: Seville, Spain
  • Dates: November 10-12, 2025
  • Audience: International education researchers and innovators
  • Cost: €550 for in-person early registration and  €270 for virtual early registration
  • Format: In-person (hybrid track TBD)

One of Europe’s leading academic conferences, ICERI (International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation) brings together educators, researchers, technologists, and policy-makers from over 80 countries. The conference places a strong emphasis on cross-cultural collaboration and global education challenges. As an attendee, you can present your own research, explore peer-reviewed findings, and connect with international experts who are shaping education systems worldwide.

10. Innovative Schools Summit

  • Locations: Nashville, Tennessee and San Antonio, Texas
  • Dates: Nov 14-18 (Nashville), Dec 3-6 (San Antonio), 2025
  • Audience: District and school leaders, SEL specialists
  • Cost: $695-$850
  • Format: In-person

This multi-city event brings together educators and leaders focused on improving student outcomes through evidence-based practices in behavior management, trauma-informed teaching, school safety, SEL, and staff wellness. Each summit includes multiple topic-specific tracks and nationally recognized speakers. 

How to Make the Most of Education Conferences

Set your intention early

Are you looking to discover new tools? Spark new ideas for your school or district? Build your network? Know exactly what you’re hoping to walk away with.

Plan your time like a pro

Get your hands on the agenda ahead of time. Highlight key sessions, make space for breaks, and prioritize what matters most to you.

Use the right event management tools

If you’re organizing a conference or PD day yourself, consider using a platform like Sched. It makes it easy to manage schedules, speaker details, and real-time updates all in one place for attendees to access on any device.

Reflect and share the learning with your peers

Don’t keep it to yourself. Take notes and collect resources. Then schedule time to debrief with your team and bring those takeaways back to your school community. 

Hosting Your Own Event This Year? Sched Is The Best Planning Partner. 

Sched helps K-12 schools and districts plan events that feel organized, accessible, and truly memorable. You can use Sched to plan all kinds of events. The platform lets you directly manage schedules, speaker info, session feedback, and generate event reports without any tech background. 

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FAQs

What are the best education conferences for K-12 teachers in 2025?

Some of the most valuable education conferences for K-12 teachers in 2025 include SXSW EDU, Get Your Teach On (GYTO) Fest, ISTELive 25, and the Model Schools Conference. These events offer hands-on teaching strategies and inspiration for classroom practice and leadership.

Why should I attend an education conference in 2025? 

National and international education conferences give you access to diverse perspectives, cutting-edge ideas, and broader professional networks. They also let you customize your learning path, attend specialized tracks, and get exposed to innovations you may not see locally.

What’s the best way to plan my time at an education conference?

The best way to plan your time at an education conference is to download the agenda in advance, bookmark high-priority sessions, and leave space for networking and breaks. If the event uses a platform like Sched, you can create a personalized schedule, check speaker bios, and get real-time updates on your phone.

Is Sched a good option for managing school events or conferences?

Yes. Sched is built for schools and districts that need a simple way to manage professional development days, training events, conferences, and all kinds of events. It helps you organize sessions, share schedules, collect feedback, and deliver a meaningful event experience.