On July 11, 2025, more than 4,000 elementary, middle, and high school principals and assistant principals from across the United States convened at the Seattle Convention Center for the three-day UNITED: The National Conference on School Leadership. This flagship event, co-hosted by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), marks a pivotal moment for educational leaders eager to address pressing challenges in school leadership, equity, mental health, and the responsible integration of emerging technologies.
UNITED 2025 builds upon a tradition of professional collaboration and collective goal-setting. As noted on official NAESP and NASSP platforms, this year’s conference emphasizes not just instruction but also the cultivation of resilient school communities and inclusive school cultures. With over 200 workshops, keynotes, and breakout sessions, the conference aims to address the evolving needs of school leaders and the communities they serve.
UNITED’s keynote roster reflects a deliberate focus on inspirational storytelling and leadership frameworks grounded in equity and innovation. Highlights include Daymond John, the entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” investor renowned for founding FUBU—offering strategic growth lessons and entrepreneurial mindsets for school innovation; Dr. Gholdy Muhammad, author of Cultivating Genius, who advocates for culturally and historically responsive literacy that highlights Black excellence, urgent in reframing modern curriculums; and John C. Maxwell, the prolific leadership coach and author whose teachings on influence, team-building, and character-driven leadership continue to resonate around the world.
Attendees reported being especially inspired by Dr. Muhammad’s emphasis on equity-driven instruction and Maxwell’s insights into developing authentic communication pathways within school systems. These keynote addresses set a tone of shared accountability and hope for meaningful reform.
The conference agenda is segmented into a range of thematic strands designed to meet today’s school leadership needs head-on. These include leadership capacity and instructional excellence, student voice and agency, school climate and culture, and ethical technology integration. These sessions are curated to address current school pressures, such as post-pandemic recovery, staff burnout, and the increasing demand for mental health resources—echoing NASSP’s framework that schools must balance academic demand with emotional and relational support.
According to organizers, one of the strongest draws of UNITED is the opportunity for leaders to connect across districts, regions, and school types—from rural assistant principals to urban high school heads. Whether discussing district safety protocols or community literacy programs, participants underscore the emotional and professional impact of collaborating with peers who truly understand the demands of school leadership. As one past attendee captured: “You’ll walk away recharged and reconnected to your purpose,” highlighting the conference’s dual focus on strategy and self-care.
A core goal of UNITED is equipping school leaders with “tools you can use right away.” Sessions include templates for trauma-informed teaching, action plans for equity committees, mental health screening protocols, and frameworks for integrating AI responsibly in classrooms. NAESP stresses that participants should leave with actionable strategies to drive impact at the building and district levels.
To promote participation, the conference offers continuing education (clock hours) credit. For example, attendees in Alabama can earn up to 18 clock hours, which can be applied toward their 2025–26 certification requirements. Session attendance logs ensure structured professional growth and learning accountability.
At a time when schools across the country face intense debates on curriculum, staff shortages, student mental health, and restorative justice, UNITED 2025 provides a much-needed space for school leaders to pause, recalibrate, and strategize. The conference reinforces that leadership is not solitary—it thrives on networked support rooted in robust professional learning communities.
Historical context shows that NASSP and NAESP have been cornerstones of U.S. educational leadership since the early 20th century (NASSP since 1916), guiding principals through sweeping reforms and leadership paradigms. UNITED embodies this legacy by equipping the next generation of leaders to navigate current and future disruptions.
As the conference proceeds through its final day on July 13, many participants are expected to commit to follow-up action plans involving district-level check-ins to implement trauma-informed and equity frameworks, cross-school mentorship circles to support new principals and APs, and pilot AI oversight committees to shape ethical use in instruction.
UNITED signals more than a gathering—it marks the beginning of national-level momentum. As NAESP and NASSP report, attendees are positioned to return home better equipped, more connected, and increasingly empowered to elevate student outcomes and foster inclusive learning cultures.
The UNITED 2025 Conference in Seattle stands as a powerful affirmation of collective action and purposeful leadership. By blending actionable strategy, peer support, inspirational stories, and professional learning credits, it offers a holistic toolkit for school leaders navigating an era of change. As these principals and their teams return to their districts, they carry with them not just knowledge—but a renewed commitment to equity, connectivity, and purpose-driven leadership.
