EdPrepLab at AACTE 2026

Connected to Lead: Innovation and Impact

The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) Annual Meeting will be held February 20–22, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. We are excited that members from several EdPrepLab institutions will be presenting over the course of the convention. See below for a list of session titles, presenters, dates, and times.

Learn more about the annual meeting here.

EdPrepLab-affiliated institutions are indicated with:

Increasing Retention Rates for Underrepresented Students in Counselor Education: A Conceptual Model

February 19, 2026 | 10:40 am | Conference room: Salon D/E (3rd floor Marriott)

Participants:

• Ta'lia Gordon, University of South Carolina
• Kerwin Johnson, University of South Carolina
• D’Arion Johnston, University of South Carolina
• Jaz Hasty, University of South Carolina
• Tyler Santiago, University of South Carolina

Generative AI in Teacher Preparation

February 20, 2026 | 10:15 am

Participants:

• Punya Mishra, Arizona State University

Evaluating The Impact and Effectiveness of Grow-Your-Own: A Five-Year Longitudinal Analysis

February 20, 2026 | 12:30 pm

Participants:

• David Cihak, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Amelia Brown, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Emerging Research on Scalability and Sustainability in California and Texas Teacher Residencies

February 20, 2026 | 3:15 pm

Participants:

• Susan K. Patrick, Learning Policy Institute
• Steve Wojcikiewicz, Learning Policy Institute
• Cathy Yun, Learning Policy Institute

Small-Group Roundtable Dialogue About Advocacy Efforts for Multilingualism and Language Preservation in Teacher Preparation Programs

February 20, 2026 | 3:15 pm

Participants:

• Judith R. Cruzado-Guerrero, Towson University

Innovative Models for Strengthening Educator Preparation: State Initiatives to Meet Local Needs

February 21, 2026 | 10:15 am

Participants:

• David Cihak, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Amelia Brown, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Understanding Preservice Teachers’ Knowledge and Motivations in Multilingual Learner Education

February 21, 2026 | 12:30 pm

Participants:

• Ashley Burton, Towson University

Strengthening Clinical Placements Through Data-Informed Partnerships

February 21, 2026 | 1:30 pm

Participants:

• Diana Lys, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
• Corey Bray, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
• Joanne Brosh, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
• Margaret Donnelly, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Centering Families and Community in Educator Preparation Programs

February 21, 2026 | 1:30 pm

Participants:

• Jennifer Olson, University of Chicago, Illinois
• Rebekah Stathakis, Northwestern University
• Kavita Kapadia Matsko, Northwestern University
• Adrian Jung, California State University, Fullerton
• Shabina Kavimandan, Kansas State University
• Rachael Smith, Georgia Southern University