Summer Institute for Authentic Learning and Leadership: Full Schedule

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1:25pm EDT

Authentic Learning as an “Achievement Culture” Cure

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:25pm - 2:20pm EDT

We are in the midst of a youth mental health crisis that is reaching a critical stage. Many of our students experience anxiety and depression; some describe living in a constant state of stress. Teen anxiety and depression levels are particularly high in affluent communities where students feel extreme pressure to achieve. In this session, we will examine the problem with input from a student, a neuropsychologist, and a school leader who looked at his school's data and made changes to radically improve student mental health. We will also have conversation about engaging our communities in confronting this crisis, with an emphasis on how we can utilize authentic learning as a tool in our commitment to student and staff wellness.

Speakers

Steve Shapiro

Co-Founder, Our Family Culture

Steve Shapiro is a veteran school reimaginer, with over 30 years of K-12 classroom teaching experience, 15 concurrent years as a high school humanities program director, and four years as a district leader of experiential learning. In response to the unsettling state of youth mental... Read More →

Nancy Shapiro

Co-Founder, Our Family Culture

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:25pm - 2:20pm EDT
W1401

Breakout Presentation

3:35pm EDT

It's All About Culture

Wednesday July 15, 2026 3:35pm - 4:30pm EDT

W1401

Authentic learning requires much more than passive compliance. So how do we help students develop the mindsets and habits that will support authentic learning success? We must focus on the single force that provides the context of all human experience: CULTURE. In this interactive session, Steve will help you identify the specific student qualities that lead to effective authentic learning experiences and will present a strategy to build powerful cultures that bring those qualities to life in your classroom. Participants will learn strategies they can apply in all learning spaces- from the home, to the classroom, to the school at large. This is a session that will stay with you and impact all aspects of your life.

Speakers

Steve Shapiro

Co-Founder, Our Family Culture

Nancy Shapiro

Co-Founder, Our Family Culture

Wednesday July 15, 2026 3:35pm - 4:30pm EDT
W1401

Breakout Presentation

Summer Institute for Authentic Learning and Leadership

1:25pm EDT

Steve Shapiro

Nancy Shapiro

3:35pm EDT

Steve Shapiro

Nancy Shapiro

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