Why Learning Together Matters

The Conference is built on the belief that creating schools where every student thrives is not the responsibility of one group alone. It is the shared work of the entire community.

For those beginning the work - sessions provide frameworks and first steps.

For schools further along - content challenges and sharpens established practices.

For all participants - practical strategies that can be adapted for lasting change.

When schools learn together—not just side by side, but as one community—they return with more than new ideas. They return with a united vision and the skills to bring it to life.

A School Leader's Perspective

“As a proud member of the Pollyanna National Conference Advisory Committee and host of the annual Pollyanna Conference in Los Angeles since 2017, I’ve seen firsthand the tangible and lasting power of bringing diverse and open-minded voices into one room. This is why I support the Pollyanna National Conference and encourage others to join in this unique opportunity for entire school communities to come together—not just to talk, but to listen, learn, connect, and take action. 

The opportunity isn’t just meaningful for those who attend — it is essential for those of us who are striving to create schools where belonging is central to everything that we do. By engaging in honest dialogue and learning alongside each other as a cohort, we return to our schools with real strategies and a renewed commitment to building stronger, kinder communities where every voice matters.”

~ Janine Hancock Jones, Assistant Head of School for Community and Belonging and Associate Director of Admission, Harvard-Westlake School

Workshop Highlight

Shernice Lazare: Leading with Purpose: Aligning Mission and Inclusion at the Governance Level

Inclusion isn’t a standalone initiative, it’s a reflection of a school’s deepest values. This interactive workshop invites trustees and heads of school to explore how leadership decisions can authentically embody a school’s mission. Through real-world examples and focused discussion, participants will examine how governance, strategy, and culture intersect with equity and belonging. Together, we’ll identify actionable ways to ensure that inclusion is not just stated, but lived in boardrooms, classrooms, and every corner of school life.

Shernice Lazare is a Pollyanna National Conference facilitator.

What's Next?

September: Hotel rooms are available to book here.

November: Registered schools receive a Pre-Conference Planning Guide with POD directions, reflection tools, and tips—designed to center the student voice effectively in your team’s experience.

December: Schools submit final POD list.

January: Your school won’t just bring ideas back—you’ll return with a plan, a network, and renewed energy to launch meaningful change.

Because together, our voices will shape the future of schools at this first national conference of its kind. We can’t wait to see and hear every voice contributing in Minneapolis.

With anticipation,
The Pollyanna Team