Featured Panel — Children First: Looking Back, Looking Ahead
Some of New York City's leading education reform advocates served on a panel that critically assessed Children First reforms and discussed which components are likely to remain in the coming years. These panelists considered what is needed in terms of leadership and advocacy to either continue these reforms or amend them under a new administrative environment.

Engaging and Investing Parents and Communities
In this panel, alumni heard from teacher, school, and community leaders who have made it a priority to consistently collaborate with the many adults involved in their students' lives. They discussed specific strategies and techniques to involve this group of adults and explain how shared ownership has led to high student achievement.

Choosing Teaching as a Career
Sustaining and developing oneself as a teacher can be challenging, but it is critical in order to remain inspired and committed to teaching. In this panel, four alumni teachers shared how they have sustained and developed themselves in their work, and how they continue to remain challenged by, and committed to, teaching.

Pathways to School Leadership
This panel session showcased alumni who have assumed their principalships through a variety of partner programs and pathways. Session participants were able to explore the different avenues available to becoming a school leader and discover which pathway is best for them.

Using Politics and Government as a Force for Change
Alumni across the country are working in all levels of the government to change educational policy. In this panel, alumni and other leaders discussed the numerous ways alumni can use politics as an influential lever in closing the achievement gap.

Investing in the Whole Child: Student Health, Wellness, and Academic Support
In an era of increased focus on academic achievement in reading, language arts, and math, many educators and children’s advocates are concerned that we are losing sight of the mental, physical, and social well-being of our students. Health experts and community leaders explored schools and communities that prioritize health and social services.

The Future of Teacher Preparation and Certification
What can be done to prepare a potential teacher for the classroom? Over the past decade, there have been significant changes to the landscape of teacher certification. This session opened up a provocative discussion on teacher preparation and the future of certification programs.

Community Organizing: What We All Can Do to Make a Difference
In this session, community organizing leaders in New York City shared inspiring stories and gave concrete examples of the many ways in which neighborhood residents can take action to change their communities and highlighted the resources that will help them do so.

Big Ideas, Big Impact: The Power of Social Entrepreneurship
Participants were able to explore the ins and outs of social entrepreneurship through alumni who have launched organizations committed to social change. Panelists addressed the motivation and preparation needed to get started and touched on the skills necessary for new ventures.

Making it All Work: Parents Who Balance Their Personal and Professional Life
Many working parents find it extremely challenging to dedicate the time and energy necessary for a successful family environment. The result of these conflicting pressures is often a looming question: Is it possible to sustain a successful career and be a successful parent? Alumni joined a conversation between three families who are navigating alignment of their personal and professional balance.

Teach For All: Helping Address Educational Inequity Across the Globe
In September 2007, Teach For America announced the launch of Teach For All, a new organization that supports entrepreneurs across the world who are developing grassroots efforts to execute the Teach For America model locally. In this presentation, participants learned how the Teach For America model is being adapted to address the vast educational disparities that exist internationally.

Featured Panel — Power of Words: The Role of Media in Informing our Public Consciousness
As we embark on a new and controversial era in education reform, how does the media inform the public and shape mainstream thinking and debate? What role do alumni have in ensuring these issues are addressed and debated in all forms of media? Alumni joined panelists for a provocative discussion about the powerful and ever-changing role of the media and the potential impact of the press to expose the achievement gap and push education reform.

The Changing Principalship: The Benefits and Challenges of Leading Already Established Schools and Staffs
From assuming leadership at an existing district or charter school to opening up a new school that has retained some of its former staff members, more and more of our alumni school leaders are taking the helm at schools and with staffs that are already established. This session explored the unique challenges and benefits involved in entering an existing school and/or working with an existing staff as an administrator charged with high expectations for student achievement.

Creating a School Culture of High Achievement and High Expectations: Struggles, Successes and Strategies
How do teachers and school leaders establish and sustain a culture of high achievement and high expectations among their students and staff? Seasoned educators, successful new teachers, secondary school leaders, and leading educational researchers investigated innovative strategies to build and maintain a culture of accountability in diverse school settings.

Understanding Community Boards and Using Them to Advance Your Career in Policy, Politics, and Advocacy
While many people have heard of community boards, most people only have a vague idea of what they do. This session introduced alumni to the world of New York City's community boards and articulated how board involvement is a rewarding and compelling first step into local politics and a possible gateway to future political endeavors.

Evaluating New York City's Public Schools
Panelists discussed how current accountability reforms have affected their work at all levels of the education sector as well as their visions for the future of accountability in New York City.

Managing High-Performing Organizations
Panelists examined the key factors and major challenges in managing highly successful organizations that are viewed as great places to work. Alumni joined representatives from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, and heard these effective managers discuss their lessons learned and best practices.

Teaching As Leadership: Leveraging Teach For America's New Virtual Teacher Support Tools in Your Work
Over the past several years, Teach For America has made great strides in evolving its teacher development and support model. This workshop served as an opportunity for all educators to get hands-on practice learning about and leveraging our many new tools. Participants left the session knowing how to best use these tools in their own day-to-day work the following week.

Pathways to Policy Leadership
This discussion and networking opportunity highlighted alumni who are advisors to elected officials, leaders in public agencies, and key staffers in policy-related organizations. Participants left the discussion with resources for further reflection and planning.

A Look at the Charter School Movement in NYC and Beyond
This school year, New York City is home to 78 charter schools, many of which rank among the city’s highest performing schools, and this past school year, 30 percent of these charter schools were run by Teach For America alumni. Alumni joined the policy-makers, leaders, teachers, and students of the charter movement to learn more about these schools.

Making an Impact as a Nonprofit Board Member
Alumni looking to make a real change in the nonprofit world outside of your everyday work learned how to find opportunities to serve on the board of a nonprofit, select the right fit, and maximize their contributions as a board member.

The State of Teach For America
Participants joined an open conversation with Teach For America’s national and regional leaders to learn more about the organization's evolution and growth, from past struggles to lessons learned. This Q&A forum answered questions, from changes in teacher training and improving student achievement, to developing long-term stewards and leaders.