18 best education conferences in 2025

The best teacher professional development opportunities are the ones that equip teachers with practical, best-practice strategies they can implement right away. With 2025 rolling in, new education conferences fill the shelves, requiring educators to carefully browse the offerings to find the best fit to meet their professional learning goals.

Smekens Education Solutions has collected a stack of professional development opportunities that will equip educators with transformative tools they can immediately put into practice.

Explore a learning library filled with carefully selected teaching conferences for 2025—each one filled with insights and strategies for educators. From the latest tech innovations to best practices in literacy, science, and math, our hand-picked education conferences cater to diverse teaching needs. We emphasize professional development opportunities for teachers through reputable organizations that relate to broad audiences, offer continuing education or graduate-level credits, and provide online resources or free perks.

EdTech Education Conferences

1. FETC—Future of Education Technology Conference

The Future of Education Technology Conference has assembled educators, administrators, and tech experts for over 40 years, creating a vibrant hub for exploring the future of learning. This annual event provides a platform to explore state-of-the-art advancements in education technology, equipping attendees with the latest tools and strategies to empower teaching and learning through engaging sessions, workshops, and invaluable networking opportunities.

• Dates: January 14-17, 2025
• Location: Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL
• Audience: K-12 educators, administrators, and technology experts
• Cost range: Premium $1160, Session $560
• Additional perks: Free monthly webinars as a preview of the conference

2. SITE—Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education 2025

Marking its 36th year, SITE 2025 brings together a diverse community of dedicated educators. United by a shared passion for technology’s transformative potential in education, this gathering aims to shape the future of learning through insightful collaboration and innovative exploration.

• Dates: March 17-21, 2025
• Location: University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management, Orlando, FL
• Audience: Teacher educators in ALL disciplines, computer technology coordinators, K-12 administrators, curriculum developers, future teachers
• Cost range: $225 – $685; $295 (Virtual)
• Virtual option: Yes
• Additional perks:
  • Yearlong SITE Membership
  • 40% discount for LearnTechLib subscription
  • Refreshment breaks, twice daily
  • Lunch included with all SIG (Special Interest Group) Meetings

3. ISTE—International Society for Technology in Education Live 25

With over 40 years of history, the ISTE conference, hosted by the International Society for Technology in Education, has been a cornerstone of educational technology, attracting a global audience of educators seeking to learn, connect, and revolutionize learning through tech.

New in 2025, the ASCD and ISTELive annual conferences will be co-located! This exciting collaboration offers a one-of-a-kind learning experience, bringing together leading education experts, innovative ideas for using technology to inspire curiosity, and strategies for creating more meaningful and engaging learning. Registering for either ISTELive or the ASCD Annual Conference gives you access to both conference programs, spanning cutting-edge approaches to teaching, leadership, and learning for all instructional roles!

• Dates: June 29-July 2, 2025
• Location: San Antonio, TX
• Audience: Education leaders, teachers, coaches, librarians/media specialists
• Cost range: $595 – $895; $235 – $295 (Virtual)
• Virtual option: Yes

Multifaceted Education Conferences

4. Innovative Schools Summit

Founded in 2012, Accutrain launched the Innovative Schools Summit in 2015. Now a highly regarded K-12 education conference, the ISS gathers leading minds in various locations to share cutting-edge best practices and research-based methodologies in an engaging and inspiring environment. The Innovative Schools Summit 2025 features several concurrent events that allow attendees to explore diverse topics under one registration. Each location offers a unique combination of events from the following list: At-Risk Students, Innovative Teaching Strategies, School Climate and Culture, School Discipline, Wired Differently/Trauma-Informed Schools, Social-Emotional Learning, Innovative School Leadership, Innovative Counseling Strategies, and ELL

• Dates & Location:
  • New York, NY:  February 12-15, 2025
  • Orlando, FL:  March 20-23, 2025
  • Las Vegas, NV:  July 7-11, 2025
  • Nashville, TN:  July 14-18, 2025
• Audience: School leaders, educators, mental health professionals, support staff
• Cost range: $370 – $950; $295 (Virtual)
• Virtual option: There is a main-stage-only, virtual option

5. ASCD—2025 ASCD Annual Conference

The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development boasts a distinguished history, spanning over eight decades, of helping educators reimagine and redesign learning through impactful pedagogy and meaningful technology integration. Co-located with ISTELive 25, the ASCD Annual Conference 25 aims to equip educators with practical tools and effective strategies for creating dynamic and impactful learning environments, ultimately leading to improved student outcomes.

• Dates: June 29-July 2, 2025
• Location: San Antonio, TX
• Audience: K-12 educators, administrators, instructional coaches, counselors, librarians, technology specialists, special education teachers
• Cost range: $595 – $895; $235 – $295 (Virtual)
• Virtual option: Yes

6. GYTO—Get Your Teach On Fest

Founded in 2016, Get Your Teach On offers professional development events for educators and administrators, including a national conference–Get Your Teach on Fest. Pre-K through 8th-grade educators can participate in research-based workshops dedicated to crafting rigorous and engaging lessons through grade/position-specific conference tracks, inspiring keynotes, hands-on training, a pre-game celebration, and tons of resources!

• Dates: June 29-July 2, 2025
• Location: Gaylord Texan Resort, Dallas, TX
• Audience: Pre-K through 8th grade educators (ELA, math, admin, Special Ed)
• Cost: $629
• Additional perks:
  • Kick-off celebration
  • Free swag
  • Other free teacher professional development workshops in Indiana

Literacy Education Conferences

7. LitCon—National K-8 Literacy & Reading Recovery Conference

Celebrating its 40th year, LitCon is the largest K-8 literacy conference in the US. This renowned event brings together leaders in childhood literacy to share best practices, enhance skills, and mobilize efforts to help struggling readers. Planned by volunteers from the Reading Recovery Council of North America (RRCNA), LitCon offers a high-quality professional development experience for K-8 educators. Expect exciting keynotes, featured sessions, concurrent workshops, engaging activities, a vibrant knowledge theater, and a bustling exhibit hall filled with resources. New at LitCon 2025, a Pre-K workshop will be offered, broadening the conference’s reach to support early literacy development.

• Dates: February 1-4, 2025
• Location: Hyatt Regency & Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, OH
• Audience: Pre-K, K-8 classroom teachers, literacy coaches & specialists, building
  & district administrators, Title I teachers and coordinators, interventionists
  & teachers of multilingual learners, curriculum & language arts specialists, Reading Recovery professionals
• Cost range: $535 – $810
• Additional perks:
  • Lunch on Sunday and Monday

8. Ignite to Write: The How to Teach Writing Conference–K-12 Writing Conference

Light the fire for better writing with Smekens Education Solutions! During this two-day summer event for K-12 educators, you’ll experience over 40 breakout sessions designed to spark fresh ideas and provide practical writing strategies that can be used immediately.

Whether you’re a new teacher or a seasoned pro, this education conference will get you fired up to teach writing, sharpen students’ writing practices, and elevate your writing instruction with a focus on essential writing skills. This one-of-a-kind teacher professional development will ignite success in your students, no matter what language arts program you currently use.

• Dates: June 17-18, 2025
• Location: French Lick Resort, French Lick, Indiana
• Audience: Everyone who teaches writing–K-6 general education
  teachers, literacy coaches & coordinators, 6-12 language arts
  teachers, high-ability teachers, principals & assistant principals, K-12
  curriculum directors, K-12 special education teachers, ELL teachers
• Cost: $599-$649; $379-$409 (Virtual)
• Virtual option: Smekens hosts a separate virtual conference June 26-27, 2025
• Additional perks:
  • Support from Smekens consultants
  • Lifetime access to the Ignite to Write “Secret Site”
  • Breakfast, lunch, and snacks provided
  • Fun surprises throughout each day
  • Evening entertainment
  • On-site bookstore with discounted resources

9. CompCON—Virtual K-12 Reading Comprehension Conference

• Dates: July 15-16, 2025
• Audience: Everyone who teaches comprehension–K-6 general education
  teachers, literacy coaches & coordinators, 6-12 language arts
  teachers, high-ability teachers, principals & assistant principals, K-12
  curriculum directors, K-12 special education teachers, ELL teachers
• Cost: $379-$409
• Additional perks:
  • A grade-level specific Comprehension Playbook and CompCON Kit containing everything needed for two days of fun & learning
  • Support from Smekens consultants
  • Lifetime access to the CompCON “Secret Site”

10. NCTE—NCTE 2025 Annual Convention

Drawing thousands from Pre-K to graduate levels, the NCTE Annual Convention boasts nearly 700 sessions covering everything from English and writing to reading and language studies. Its expansive exhibit hall and 250+ author presentations annually draw the national publishing community, making it a must-attend event for educators seeking knowledge, connection, and inspiration.

• Dates: November 20-23, 2025
• Location: Denver, CO
• Audience: Early childhood – graduate-level educators of English language arts and literacy
• Cost: Available when registration opens
• Additional perks:
  • Conference app
  • Online platform

Science Education Conferences

11. NSTA—National Conference on Science Education

Since 1944, NSTA has empowered generations of learners by fostering a love of science. Today, NSTA stands as the world’s leading force for excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning. The NSTA National Conference on Science Education caters to science educators worldwide and offers over 1,000 presentations, workshops, exhibits, and networking opportunities. The largest science teacher professional development workshop of 2025 focuses on fostering joy in science learning and encouraging student-centered instruction.

• Dates: March 26-29, 2025
• Location: The Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA
• Audience: K–20 teachers of science
• Cost range: $450-$550

Math Education Conferences

12. NCTM—National Council of Teachers of Mathematics 2025 Annual Meeting & Exposition

Founded in 1920, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics is the world’s leading organization for math educators. Their annual conference aims to help teachers empower students through student-centered instruction that fosters curiosity and joy in learning math. The conference will offer hundreds of sessions, workshops, and exhibits about curriculum and instruction, assessment, technology, and professional development tailored to specific grade levels.

• Dates: October 15–18, 2025
• Location: Atlanta, GA
• Audience: Mathematics teachers, administrators, math coaches, supervisors, or preservice teachers
• Cost: Available when registration opens
• Virtual option: NCTM hosts a separate virtual conference April 2-5, 2025
• Additional perks:
  • Conference app
  • Online platform

Project-Based Learning Conferences

13. PBLWorks—PBL World 2025

Join PBL World for their signature annual PD event from the nonprofit PBLWorks. The multi-day Project-Based Learning conference brings together Pre-K-12 teachers, instructional coaches, and school and district leaders who want to begin or advance their Project-Based Learning practice and connect with a community of their peers. This year’s keynote speaker is award-winning author and educator Dr. Christopher Emdin.

• Dates: June 23-26, 2025
• Location: American Canyon High School, Napa Valley, CA
• Audience: Pre-K-12 Teachers, Instructional coaches, and school and district leaders
• Cost: $1,400 (Tuesday-Thursday) Pre-Conference: $300 (Monday)

Special Education Conferences

14. CEC—2025 Convention & Expo

The Council for Exceptional Children has united educators supporting exceptional learners for over 75 years. CEC 2025 will inspire educators to advance high-quality, inclusive education through hundreds of sessions addressing curriculum innovation, technology, and strategies to meet diverse needs. Network with colleagues, learn from experts, and discover resources in the expansive exhibit hall. The featured topic area strands for CEC 2025 include: Improving Outcomes for Students Across General Education Settings and Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Special Education. This comprehensive event empowers thousands of educators to enhance exceptional education practices for students with special needs.

• Dates: March 12-15, 2025
• Location: Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD
• Audience: Special or general education teachers, district administrators, principals, or paraprofessionals
• Cost range: $409 – $719; $275 – $435 (Virtual)
• Virtual option: Yes
• Additional perks:
  • Conference app
  • Welcome celebration
  • Add-on workshops
  • CEC Hub & Tech Playground
  • Coffee & snacks in the expo hall each day

Leadership Conferences

15. AASA—National Conference on Education

The AASA, The School Superintendents Association, has a long-standing history of over 100 years. School leaders take center stage at the 2025 National Conference on Education, where the focus is on anticipating future trends and challenges in education while crafting proactive strategies to benefit both staff and students. Through expert insights, interactive sessions, and extensive resources, the conference equips superintendents with the tools and strategies they need to address diverse student needs, navigate complex challenges, and empower tomorrow’s generations.

• Dates: March 6-8, 2025
• Location: Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA
• Audience: Educational leaders
• Cost range: $795 – $1,450

16. Learning Forward—2025 Annual Conference

Building on the foundation of reimagined possibilities and evidence-based practices, the 2025 Learning Forward Annual Conference aims to “Bridge professional learning and student success.” The conference will equip school leaders with strategies to translate innovative ideas and evidence into impactful professional development experiences for their educators, fostering a culture of continuous learning within their schools. Learning Forward takes pride in ensuring attendees get the most out of the experience by offering inspiring keynotes, providing opportunities for networking, and allowing attendees to reserve sessions ahead of time.

• Dates: December 7-10, 2025
• Location: Boston, MA
• Audience: Educational leaders
• Cost: Available when registration opens
• Additional perks:
  • Conference app
  • Session handouts
  • Conference planning toolkit

Early Childhood Education Conferences

17. NAEYC Annual Conference–National Association for the Education of Young Children Annual Conference

The NAEYC Annual Conference is a comprehensive event for early childhood professionals. It features over 700 in-depth workshops and presentations on diverse topics like teaching strategies, child development, assessment, and technology in the classroom. Attendees can discover cutting-edge resources and tools in the expansive exhibit hall with over 250 exhibitors, gain insights from prominent figures in the field through keynote speeches, and build valuable connections with colleagues through networking opportunities.

• Dates: November 19-22, 2025
• Location: Orlando, FL
• Audience: Early childhood educators
• Cost: Available when registration opens
• Virtual option: No virtual conference, some sessions available virtually
• Additional perks:
  • Conference app
  • Lunch options at the Expo (additional cost)
  • Complimentary entry-level NAEYC membership for nonmembers

Social-Emotional Learning Conferences

18. Elevate Conscious Discipline: Embrace Possibilities

For over 25 years, Conscious Discipline has been equipping education professionals with tried-and-tested tools for transforming student struggles into opportunities for growth. Elevate Conscious Discipline: Teacher Conference is designed to help administrators, teachers, and mental health professionals harness their own self-regulation and compassion to bring positive, lasting change to their schools and classrooms. Alongside a dynamic team of active teachers, specialists, and administrators, attendees will develop a comprehensive and personalized plan that will help create an environment that fosters community, confidence, respect, and life-long learning.

• Dates: October 23-25, 2025
• Location: Omni Orlando Resort at Championsgate, Orlando, FL
• Audience: Pre-K through 8th grade educators (ELA, math, admin, special ed)
• Cost range: $699-$849

Live, Virtual Workshops