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Student Focused Teacher Led Conference

The SFTL conference, held annually in early fall, is a professional learning opportunity for any educator, regardless of education role or educational environment. Our engaging keynote speakers and variety of breakout sessions, led by current and former teachers, will provide practical, usable knowledge and strategies to put students at the center of your work, whether in the classroom, support services, building administration, central office, or anything in between.

We welcome all public, private and nontraditional educators, including from homeschool or microschool.

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SFTL 2026

Oct. 9, 2026,

Winthrop Rockefeller Institute*
1 Rockefeller Dr, Morrilton, AR

*Overnight accommodations available on site for conference guests only in the President’s Lodge for $159/night. To reserve, please contact the Institute front desk at (501) 727-5435.

$40 per person before Sept. 1, $50 after

Pre-service aspiring educators can attend for free

Breakfast and lunch included with registration

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Sponsors

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Conference Details

“I would encourage you, if you work somewhere in the realm of children or students, check it out because you’re going to find something new and interesting.”

– Elise Stine-Dolinar, 2023

Agenda

7:30 AM

Registration and Breakfast

8:30 AM - 8:40 AM

Opening Remarks

8:40 AM - 9:40 AM

General #1

9:45 AM - 10:45 AM

Breakout Block #1

10:50 AM - 11:50 AM

Breakout Block #2

11:55 AM -12:30 PM

Lunch Served

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Lunch Keynote

1:40 PM - 2:40 PM

Breakout Block #3

2:40 PM - 2:50 PM

Networking Break

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

General #2

4:00 PM - 4:15 PM

Closing Remarks
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Featured Speakers

Check back for more information!

Learn More

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Breakout Sessions

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Learn More

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Full Schedule

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What Attendees Say

“The reason why I continue to come is that I think it’s the only conference of its kind that is really focused around how we are supporting students and putting students at the center of our work.”

– Kanesha Adams, repeat attendee

“It just gives all of us an opportunity to collaborate, learn, and come together, and I wouldn’t have missed it for anything!”

– Rebecca Newby, 2024

Each year we ask participants how we did. Last year, their responses included:
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92%

Overall Satisfaction
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96%

Approval of Presentations
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100%

Found Sessions Immediately Useful
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100%

Will Consider Returning
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Breakout Sessions

We invite current and former classroom teachers to present breakout sessions, so that our conference is, as the name states, led by teachers. These educators share strategies on a variety of topics, always with students at the center. We always provide a wide range of topics to meet the wide range of educators in attendance.
*The breakout sessions shown above are from previous conferences. Check back regularly for updates on our 2026 session lineup.

Recent Sessions

  • Redefining a District: JNPSD
  • Educator Resiliency
  • De-escalation Curve
  • Individualized Learning at Scale
  • Project-based Learning
  • Nature-based Learning
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Academic Integrity and AI
  • Creating Curious Classrooms
  • The Four-Day Week
  • Trauma-Informed Response
  • Distress Tolerance
  • Student-Focused CTE
  • Community Partnerships
  • Microschooling in America
  • Educational Transformation: Marvell-Elaine

Recent Presenters

  • Arkansas A.W.A.R.E.
  • The EAST Initiative
  • Jacksonville North Pulaski School District
  • Virtual Arkansas
  • AFMC
  • The Learning Blade
  • Hamilton House Homeschool Co-op
  • Zuni Learning Tree
  • Marvell-Elaine School District
  • Beau McCastlain, ATOY 2024
  • National Microschooling Center
  • UAMS TRIS Program
  • Exalt Academy Charter School

Watch More Highlights

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