2026 GAEL Winter Conference
"Mic'd Up: Giving Voice to Bold Leaders"
The Classic Center in Athens, Georgia
February 1-3, 2026
*Onsite Registration will be available*
Hotel Link
Draft Agenda
Call For Proposals
Registration options: in-person & livestream!
Member Registration is $460 | Non-Member Registration is $610
Are you ready to kickstart 2026 with inspiration and innovation? We invite you to join other Georgia educational leaders at the 2026 GAEL Winter Conference!
Keynote Speakers Include:
Kaitlin Roig-DeBallis, Sandy Hook Elementary Educator, Author & Exec. Director of Classes 4 Classes
Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, 2019 National Superintendent of the Year
Brandon Fleming, Founder of Harvard Debate Council Diversity Project
The Professional Learning Strands:
1. Driving Student Outcomes with Intentional Leadership
Learn how purposeful leadership, smart data use, and a culture of high expectations accelerate achievement. Sessions focus on strengthening teaching and learning across all content areas, aligning daily practices with improvement goals, and creating action steps that move every student forward.
2. Reclaiming Time for What Matters Most
Discover strategies to cut through inefficiencies and focus on what matters—coaching, instruction, safety, and leadership. Breakouts share tools for maximizing instructional time, streamlining operations, and balancing compliance with meaningful school improvement work.
3. Building the Bench: Growing Quality Educators and Leaders
Explore systems for attracting, developing, and retaining strong educators and leaders. Sessions highlight mentoring, career pathways, and succession planning to ensure a pipeline of talent ready to thrive.
4. Leading Forward: Innovation, Agility, and Strategic Change
Gain strategies to embrace innovation, navigate change, and sustain progress. Leaders will learn to turn bold ideas into action, leverage technology, and lead with agility while keeping student success at the center.
Registration Questions? Email Ivy Young at iyoung@gael.org
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Cancellation Policy for 2026 GAEL Winter Conference is as follows and acknowledgement is required during registration: Due to commitments to our facilities and partners, cancellations are allowed only up to January 10, 2026. Cancellations prior to January 10 are subject to a cancellation fee of $100.00. Cancellations after January 10 will incur the full fee. No-shows at the event will be charged the full fee. Cancellations must be in writing. Please email Ginny Smith at gsmith@gael.org to cancel. Payments is due by January 15, 2026. If GAEL is forced to cancel the conference because of federal or state restrictions, you will receive a credit on your account for all fees paid.