January 6, 2026

As winter break concludes, January marks a natural reset—an opportunity to refocus priorities and reconnect with colleagues across the AESA network. The months ahead offer a steady cadence of meetings, learning, and leadership development to support you and your agency.

Schedule At-A-Glance

January 2026

• Jan 15 – State Association Executive Directors| 1:00–2:00 PM
• Jan 21 – Executives in Residence Meeting | 1:00–2:00 PM
• Jan 21–22 – Virtual Federal Advocacy Committee | 1:00–4:00 PM
• Jan 28 – Executive Assistant to the CEO Network* | 12:00–1:00 PM

February 2026

• Feb 2 – Academy for Women Leaders | 2:00–3:30 PM
• Feb 5 – Technology Leaders Network* | 2:00–3:00 PM
• Feb 10 – Leadership Academy Meeting | 2:00–4:00 PM
• Feb 10 – Special Education Network* | 2:00–3:30 PM
• Feb 11 – Business Officials/HR Network* | 2:00–3:30 PM
• Feb 12 – Consultants Network* | 2:00–3:30 PM
• Feb 18 – Executives in Residence | 1:00–2:00 PM
• Feb 19 – State Association Executive Directors | 1:00–2:00 PM

*If you would like to join one of our professional networks for the remainder of this academic year, please contact Ann Fiene, AESA Chief of Staff.

March continues the momentum with the Academy for Women Leaders face-to-face convening, the launch of the ESA Innovators’ Circle, and the Global Coordinator international training tour, followed by the Leadership Academy International Trip to Spain and Portugal in April. As you plan ahead, watch for Executives in Residence and Leadership Academy cohort applications opening this spring.

AND...be sure to mark your calendar for these major AESA events later in the year.

Save the Dates

Summer Leadership Conference

July 14-16, 2026 | Riverside County Office of Education | Riverside, CA
(Overnight accomodations at Mission Inn Hotel)

Advocacy in Action Conference
September 23-25, 2026 | Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill | Washington, D.C.

Annual Conference & Expo

December 2-4, 2026 | Hilton Orlando | Orlando, FL

If your organization has added staff, now is a great time to make sure they are connected to AESA.

Remember, because your ESA is an AESA member, all employees—new and current—have access to AESA’s programs, resources, professional networks, leadership development, and advocacy efforts.

To get started, each staff member simply needs to create an individual account: Member Portal Account Form

A quick reminder now helps ensure your entire team stays informed and engaged all year long.

AESA members can now post their agency’s job openings directly on AESA Job Central. This new self-service option makes it faster and easier to share open positions, expand visibility nationwide, and connect with qualified candidates across the ESA network.

To post a job opening, go to My Membership on the AESA website, where step-by-step instructions are available on the front page of the portal. If you would like to designate an HR staff member to submit postings on your agency’s behalf, please ensure they are registered AESA members so they can access the My Membership portal.

CoSN, AESA, and our national partners are recruiting the next cohort of Regional Trainers for the Building Capacity for Generative AI in K-12 Education initiative. Trainers receive specialized preparation to lead hands-on sessions using the Gen AI Maturity Tool, facilitate collaborative planning, and support districts in making informed decisions based on their unique needs.

Representation is especially encouraged from these states: 

• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Florida
• Mississippi
• Montana
• New Jersey
• North Carolina

• North Dakota
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Utah
• West Virginia
• Wyoming

• National community of practice and peer connections
• Access to shared resources and implementation models
• Opportunities to expand services and generate new revenue

If you are committed to advancing responsible, strategic use of generative AI in K–12 education, we encourage you to apply.

Photos from LAST year’s Annual Conference & Expo are now available—browse, download, and relive the highlights. Images may be downloaded and used for professional and promotional purposes, including newsletters, presentations, and agency communications. 

Launched at the Annual Conference & Expo, STEM Century: AESA Edition showcases how ESAs across the country are driving innovation, expanding access, and preparing students for the future through impactful STEM programs. Featuring real-world stories from ESAs nationwide, it highlights bold ideas, strong partnerships, and solutions that connect education to workforce and economic growth.

Created in collaboration with AESA and 21sCenturyEd, this publication is both a celebration of ESA leadership and a roadmap for what’s possible when agencies work together to serve those who serve students.

The AESA Foundation has launched the PAL (Promoting Agency Leadership) Program, offering individuals and organizations a meaningful way to invest in the future of education. A $2,000 annual sponsorship directly supports scholarships and leadership development initiatives, while PALs receive national recognition at Foundation events and in promotional materials. Join by selecting “Be a PAL” when donating or contact Tina Viletto for more information.

January 21–22, 2026 | 1:00–4:00 PM ET

Each January, AESA members convene virtually to assess federal legislative priorities and prepare for the work of a new Congress. Participants hear directly from Capitol Hill staff and national advocacy experts about emerging policy trends and the issues most likely to shape the year ahead. AESA’s legislative liaisons will also spotlight the federal topics of greatest significance to ESAs and the students they serve.

Proposed Agenda

Wednesday, January 21, 2026 | 1:00–4:00 pm ET

• Welcome
  Joan Wade, Executive Director, AESA
• Overview of Federal Education Policy Issues
  Tara Thomas, Senior Government Affairs
• What’s Happening at the U.S. Department of Education?
  An overview of recent actions and their impact on K–12 education
  Tiffany Kessler, Partner, Bruman Group
• The Next Wave of EdTech Policy
  Preparing for federal action on AI, digital safety, and emerging technologies
  Presenter TBD
• Immigration Policies and Education Access for All Students
  Presenter TBD

Thursday, January 22, 2026 | 1:00–4:00 pm ET

• Welcome
  Joan Wade, Executive Director, AESA
• Federal Policy Debrief & AESA 2026 Legislative Agenda
  Tara Thomas, Senior Government Affairs

Join education leaders from across the country for two powerful days of federal policy updates, strategic planning, and collaborative advocacy.

Congress has until January 30 to finalize funding for FY26—or pass another continuing resolution. As the House and Senate negotiate final numbers, it is crucial that legislators hear directly from educational leaders about the importance of federal education funding.

Take action today: send a message to your representatives in Congress and urge them to maintain funding for core federal programs such as Title I and IDEA. A template letter is available here to help you get started.