12/5/2025 - 12/5/2025
Presenter: Dawn J Mahoney, CPTD
Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and Upcycle
Do you have an approach to reworking stale, lifeless, outdated, or ugly content? If so, great! But if you don’t or could use some pointers and tips, join us for Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and Upcycle. In this fast-paced web session, Dawn J Mahoney, CPTD, will take you through the ways she tackles rebuilding others’ learning content, plans, and strategies. Leave this session having spent a lively hour with peers in a similar situation to yours, as well as with a few tips and tools to use to work your magic!
To get the most out of this session, bring a course, deck, syllabus, learning plan, or equivalent, and some sticky notes, paper, pens, pencils, fun markers (whatever you like to scribble on and with) to make real work notes and decisions for how to move forward.
Dawn J Mahoney, CPTD, is a talent development professional passionate about enhancing people’s skills through improved learning content, experiences, strategy, and dialogue. (In short, SOLUTIONS) Asking better questions helps Dawn design and develop solutions that are relevant to work, aligned with business objectives, and set people up for success. After a long career as a learning professional in corporate settings, Dawn founded Learning In the White Space in 2015, her own boutique consultancy dedicated to all of the above. What help do you need? Contact us today!
www.dawnjmahoney.com
http://linkedin.com/in/dawnjmahoney
Location: Zoom Meeting
12/12/2025 - 12/12/2025
Presenter: Shannon A. Davis, Ph.D.
Beyond Words: Creating Thriving ELL Communities in K-8 Schools through Data and University Partnerships
Every state has policies to support English Language Learners (ELLs), from federal protections such as the McKinney-Vento Act to district-level policies. While these safeguards ensure basic access to education and language assistance services, they only scratch the surface of what ELL students in K-8 truly need. Thriving ELL communities require intentional, research-based practices that extend far beyond compliance.
This session invites educators to reimagine what meaningful ELL support looks like in action. Participants will explore the transformative impact of hiring educators and staff who bring personal experience as former ELLs, the importance of ongoing data collection and analysis for responsive instruction, and the benefits of leveraging partnerships with Colleges of Education to expand resources and expertise. By examining these strategies, educators will gain practical tools and fresh perspectives for creating inclusive learning environments where ELL students are empowered academically, socially, and emotionally.
Attendees will leave equipped with actionable approaches to move from “meeting requirements” to building thriving, culturally responsive school communities in which every ELL student has the opportunity to thrive.
Shannon A. Davis, Ph.D. has dedicated her career to educational leadership both in the classroom for almost 2 decades and in her subsequent administrative roles. She is currently Assistant Principal at Woodville PreK-8 School in Tallahassee, Florida. Shannon holds a Doctor of Philosophy, Educational Leadership and Counseling from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and a Florida Professional Educator’s Certificate, Elementary Education K–6, Educational Leadership K–12, School Principal K–12.
Location: Zoom Meeting
12/19/2025 - 12/19/2025
Presenter: Dr. Alexandra Salas
Digital Learning Outlook 2026
Join Dr. Alexandra Salas, USDLA's Public Policy Chair and President of Delmarva Digital Learning Association, a USDLA state chapter, for a forward-looking discussion on the Digital Learning Outlook 2025, focusing on how public policy is reshaping digital learning across K–12, higher education, and workforce sectors.
This webinar sets the stage for USDLA’s Public Policy Week in January 2026, where national experts and education leaders will convene for an in-depth conversation on the same critical issues. During this webinar, we’ll explore what’s changing in federal and state policy, from broadband and device access to AI ethics, digital literacy, data privacy, accessibility, and quality assurance, and discuss what these shifts mean for institutions, educators, and learners in the year ahead.
Attendees will gain practical insights into how policy changes influence program design, funding readiness, and institutional sustainability—and learn how to stay engaged in USDLA’s continuing public policy dialogue this January.
Location: Zoom Meeting
1/20/2026 - 1/22/2026
Join us for our 2026 Public Policy Week
For most recent session descriptions and speaker bios, please visit https://usdla.org/ppw/
Location: Zoom Meeting
6/22/2026 - 6/25/2026
2026 USDLA National Conference and Award Ceremony
Dates: June 22nd – 25th
The host location will be Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Tower
The conference promises something for everyone:
- Multiple Keynotes from Industry Leaders
- Monday Afternoon Pre-Conference Sessions
- Monday Evening Conference Kickoff Party
- 50+ Concurrent Sessions
- International Awards Luncheon Celebration
- Bill Jackson Memorial Walk/Run
- Night on the Town with Colleagues
- Public Policy Forum
- State Chapters Meeting
- Virtual Option for Select Sessions
- Optional Rock & Roll Fame Event (If Available)
Our USDLA National Conference has long been an event where we mingle, discuss technology and learn from an audience broader than our own. Nothing can replace those live in-person interactions and conference feedback has always focused on those personal relationships made with one another.
For our 39th anniversary will be focusing on tracks that are in high demand as we continue to navigate both remote and in-person learning strategies. These tracks include:
- Backstage Pass to Policy: Navigating Governance and Regulation in Distance Education
- The Headliners: Distance and Digital Leadership on the Higher Education Main stage
- Open Mic, Open Minds: Ensuring Quality, Flexibility, and Access in Online Learning
- The Digital AI Groove: Exploring Innovative Techniques and Technologies Education
- The ID Set List: Curating Best Practices in Instructional Design
- Amplify Every Voice: Ensuring Accessibility and Inclusivity in Online Education
- The K-12 Playground: Curating Best Practices in the K-12 Space
Location: Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Tower
1360 W Mall Dr
Cleveland, OH 44114
Please visit https://usdla.org/events/national-conference/ for all up to date conference details
