DL Crossover Session: Building Ecosystems of Mattering in Schools

Note: This is a Crossover Workshop that is featured at Deeper Learning. Attendees from both conferences can attend this session, so there will be a mix of participants from Deeper Learning and from Summit. What does it take for every student to feel they truly matter? In this interactive session, inspired by the Odyssey Leadership Academy model, participants will engage in hands-on activities, reflective dialogue, and collaborative design to explore how belonging drives deeper learning. Together we’ll practice strategies for centering student voice, amplifying agency, and embedding equity into everyday learning. Through playful community-building and guided reflection, participants will experience the practices that foster mattering—connection, visibility, and care. By the end, you’ll leave with practical tools to cultivate classrooms and schools where belonging is not a byproduct, but the foundation of flourishing.This session is for teachers, school leaders, and district teams seeking concrete, equity-centered strategies to create joyful, inclusive ecosystems of learning where every student is seen, valued, and essential. About Deeper Learning 2026: At Deeper Learning 2026 (DL26), a global community of educators, visionaries, and change-makers unites to reimagine what's possible in education. The Deeper Learning Conference features immersive and transformative learning experiences that inspire participants to design and lead with purpose, creativity, and joy. In 2026, we're bringing together the powerful Deeper Learning and Improvement communities through select crossover sessions, culminating in a joint closing keynote. You are invited to dive deeper and make new connections at Summit 2026. Check out our Summit and DL26 comparison to learn more.