SXSW EDU 2025 Advisory Board Recommends: Sessions on K-12 Education, Student Innovation, and More

With so many exciting and informational sessions at SXSW EDU 2025, it can be hard to narrow down which ones to attend. To help, we reached out to the 2025 Advisory Board — many of which have been attending the event for several years — and asked them to give us the inside scoop about the sessions on their radar and what they’re looking for in a session.

With focuses on K-12 education, student innovation, social-emotional learning, and more, Advisory Board members chose inspiring sessions that tackle these topics and offer lasting solutions.

Find your next favorite session based on these Advisory Board recommendations.

Ashish Chettimada

Founder & CEO, ReAlign

What tracks are you interested in?

Community Initiatives | Future of Tech | Global Initiatives | Health & Wellbeing | Leadership for Tomorrow | Startups & Investment

What’s a session you’re excited to attend and why?

Quantum in the Classroom: Preparing Tomorrow's Innovators - Introducing emerging technologies like quantum computing to high school students could be crucial in helping prepare us for the future. I am looking forward to learning more about integrating cutting-edge technology into education, ensuring that students are well-equipped to lead in a rapidly evolving world.

What are you looking for in the sessions you choose to attend and why?

I am looking for sessions that inspire innovation while fostering collaboration. I want to attend sessions that offer me a new perspective and encourage me to explore topics I haven't yet encountered. Finally, I want to attend sessions where the audience can interact with the speakers and learn through engaging discussions and collaborative exchanges.

Clee Upchurch

COO, lead4ward

What tracks are you interested in?

Accessibility & Inclusion | Leadership for Tomorrow | Teaching & Learning | Work Reimagined

What’s a session you’re excited to attend and why?

AI & Edu: Sharing Real Classroom Successes & Challenges - I'm excited to attend this session to gain valuable insights from other educators about their real-world experiences with AI in the classroom. I'm eager to explore both the successes and challenges they've seen and walk away with innovative, yet practical strategies that I can share with other educators to enhance student engagement and learning.

What are you looking for in the sessions you choose to attend and why?

I’m looking for sessions that challenge and expand my thinking about how we approach education – especially K-12 education – on a national scale. I’m eager to explore ideas that push boundaries and inspire transformative change. I’m drawn to sessions that offer fresh, non-traditional perspectives on educational leadership and instruction. I’m particularly excited to step outside my comfort zone and uncover innovative ideas that I can bring back to enhance my work in education. At SXSW EDU, I look forward to sessions that introduce bold, innovative ways of thinking about education. I value hearing from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences to broaden my perspective and add new strategies to my educational toolbox.

Eric Nentrup

Writer & Filmmaker, Stoked for Learning

What tracks are you interested in?

Arts & Storytelling | Future of Tech | Global Initiatives | Leadership for Tomorrow | Teaching & Learning | Equity & Justice | Accessibility & Inclusion | Community Initiatives

What’s a session you’re excited to attend and why?

Three Innovators Discuss Books, Media, & Entrepreneurship - I am excited for analog experiences in education, and books are the original killer app. I expect it to be refreshing to hear how these educators continue to champion the once (and likely future) medium for today's students AND teachers.

What are you looking for in the sessions you choose to attend and why?

Aside from catching up with friends and making new friends, I'm looking forward to getting a current pulse-check on the field and am tuning into those that address the most important "what" with the most elegant "how." Essentially, I am eager to see excellent examples of practice that include technology vs. the other way around. Having been at the forefront of the GenAI boom impacting the field, I am curious how experts are prioritizing solutions to solve our most urgent needs. To that end, I'm looking for sessions that aren't generally innovative, but demonstrate the art of teaching with the science of learning to equip underserved students with the ability to thrive in all ways. Likewise, as a storyteller, I would love to connect with amazing educators and solution providers to hear how they're approaching such problems and amplify their work for the betterment of the entire field.

Erin Mote

CEO, InnovateEDU

What tracks are you interested in?

Future of Tech | Policy & Advocacy | Leadership for Tomorrow | Work Reimagined | Teaching & Learning

What’s a session you’re excited to attend and why?

A Windy City Breakthrough: Data to Drive Youth Progress - Field-based examples that use data to bridge policy and practice are right up my alley and I am excited to hear from folks on the ground who have pushed innovation and grounded it in practice.

What are you looking for in the sessions you choose to attend and why?

I'm particularly drawn to sessions that explore unfamiliar territory, offering a chance to expand my knowledge base and broaden my horizons. I'm truly excited to attend SXSW EDU eager to challenge my existing perspectives and delve into new ideas and knowledge. It's easy to choose what you know so I challenge attendees to choose something different.

Michael Crawford

Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, America Succeeds

What tracks are you interested in?

Teaching & Learning | Community Initiatives | Future of Tech | Health & Wellbeing

What’s a session you’re excited to attend and why?

Become a Culture Architect: Wellbeing & Well-Doing at Work - I love that this workshop offers a fresh perspective on creating cultures that prioritize both well-being and productivity. I’m particularly interested in the actionable tools for fostering belonging and curiosity in tech-enabled environments, given tech’s ongoing proliferation in all aspects of our lives.

What are you looking for in the sessions you choose to attend and why?

I’m looking for sessions that explore unconventional ideas at the intersection of education, workforce development, and human-centered design. I’m particularly drawn to topics that challenge status quo approaches and offer practical, forward-thinking strategies to prepare students and professionals for the future. These sessions provide inspiration and actionable insights that align with my work in durable skills and human flourishing.

Ted Kalomiris

Partnerships Manager, The Positivity Project

What tracks are you interested in?

Equity & Justice | Global Initiatives | Health & Wellbeing | Teaching & Learning | Startups & Investment | Accessibility & Inclusion

What’s a session you’re excited to attend and why?

Promoting SEL Acceptance to Parents & the Wider Community - My current work in implementing character education and SEL curriculum often runs up against parental oversight that can be difficult to navigate.

What are you looking for in the sessions you choose to attend and why?

I'm looking for ideas to take back to my employer, The Positivity Project. I am also looking to meet educators and discuss some of the most important initiatives they are working on.

Join Your Community in March

Join us for SXSW EDU 2025 from March 3-6 in Austin, Texas. Don’t forget to Register and book your hotel early, and subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know of any event information leading up to the event.

Photo by Will Blake