Atlantic City, Oct. 19-22 –  Thousands of senior-level school leaders, education professionals and influencers in New Jersey education will gather for quality professional development and to celebrate public education at Workshop 2026, the largest training conference for New Jersey’s public school leaders, which is jointly sponsored by the New Jersey School Boards Association, the New Jersey Association of School Administrators and the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials.

This year’s theme, “Charting the Path, Empowering Journeys,” reflects our commitment to providing state school officials with the roadmap and resources they need to lead with confidence in an evolving landscape.

This four-day experience is the largest training conference for school officials in the Garden State. Workshop will feature over 250 training and information sessions on topics of critical importance to the state’s public school districts. The sessions will focus on topics including student testing, mental health, social-emotional learning, school security, equity, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics) education, cybersecurity, labor relations, school law, sustainability, educational technology, and other topics.  

Workshop sessions offer NJSBA Board Member Academy credits toward individual certifications. Select programs offer Qualified Purchasing Agent Credits and Certified Educational Facilities Manager credits. All programs will take place at the Atlantic City Convention Center.  

Credentialed representatives of the news media are encouraged to cover Workshop 2026. Major programs of interest to the news media are scheduled for all four days.  Stop at the registration desk on the second floor to get a badge printed.  You must have a Workshop badge to enter the exhibit hall. For a full list of programs visit the Workshop 2026 website at NJSBA Workshop 2026. 

To obtain further information about Workshop 2026 and learn how to register, contact Ann Marie Smith at amsith@njsba.org, cell – 609-969-1917.

Keynote Speakers

Dr. Timothy P. Shriver will focus on how students are being taught to treat one another when they disagree and if adults are leading them in modeling that behavior?

Shriver is the co-founder and chairman of the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL), the world’s leading organization for advancing social and emotional learning (SEL) in education. He has dedicated much of his life to focusing on those factors in learning. He has also led Special Olympics International for the past 30 years, attracting six million athletes with special needs from more than 200 countries to the Special Olympics USA Games held every four years.

Shriver will offer creative and practical strategies for promoting dignity in our school boards and school districts – a vision for how we can each be a part of shaping a more hopeful and positive strategy for our children and our schools

Tuesday, Oct. 20 @ 2 p.m., Keynote Theater

Dr. Lily Laux, Commissioner for the New Jersey Department of Education – As the chief executive school officer for New Jersey, Dr. Laux will provide an overview of the current state of education in New Jersey and offer insight into its future.

Wednesday, Oct 21, 10 a.m., Keynote Theater

Legislative Panel (panelists subject to change) –  Co-hosted by the Garden State Coalition of Schools, the NJSBA Governmental Relations Department will lead a moderated discussion on various educational issues with representatives of the New Jersey State Legislature. Panelists scheduled to participate include Senator M. Teresa Ruiz (D-29), Senate Majority Leader; Senator Vin Gopal (D-11), Senate Education Committee, Chair; Assemblywoman Rosaura (“Rosy”) Bagolie (D-27), Assembly Education Committee, Vice-Chair; Assemblyman Antwan McClellan (R-1), Deputy Minority Leader.

Wednesday, Oct., 21, 1 p.m., Keynote Theater

New Jersey State Board of Education Panel – NJSBA’s Governmental Relations staff will facilitate a discussion on public education with current members of the New Jersey State Board of Education.

Tuesday, Oct., 20, 9:30 a.m., Room 304

School Law Forum – Practicing school board attorneys will share research and personal experiences in addressing the latest court decisions, administrative rulings, statutes, and codes affecting public education and school district governance. To view the full agenda, click here.

Thursday, Oct., 22, 8:30 a.m. Room 403

Best In Education Awards Ceremonies – The New Jersey School Boards Association, the New Jersey Association of School Administrators, and the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials will present awards for School Board Member of the Year, Regional Superintendents of the Year, School Business Administrator of the Year, Teacher of the Year, and more.

Tuesday, Oct., 20, 10:45 a.m., Achievement Arena

STEAM Tank Challenge – The STEAM Tank Challenge provides New Jersey public school students from all backgrounds with the opportunity to invent solutions to real-world problems like sustainability, health and safety, societal concerns, and school issues. Through hands-on collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity, students gain the skills needed to become tomorrow’s leaders and innovators. This season, the program received 618 team entries representing 108 schools across 78 school districts in all 21 counties of New Jersey. Watch the best of the best in the elementary and middle school divisions face off in the STEAM Tank Challenge Finals, live at Workshop.

Wednesday, Oct. 21, 9 a.m., Achievement Arena

Unsung Superheroes in Education Awards – This program celebrates the invaluable contributions of school district staff such as librarian/media specialist, coach/club adviser, school nurse, bus driver/aide, custodian/maintenance/building and grounds, cafeteria/food services, crossing guard, secretary/administrative assistant, paraprofessional/aide, HR professional, and technology professional. These individuals work tirelessly behind the scenes, often without recognition or thanks, to ensure that our schools run smoothly and provide a safe and nurturing environment for our students.

Tuesday, Oct., 20, 9:30 a.m., Achievement Arena

250 Training and Information Sessions – Workshop will host 250 professional development sessions, including NJSBA mandated training.  Visit the Workshop 2026 webpage at https://workshop.njsba.org/. 

For further information about Workshop 2026 and to learn how to register, contact Ann Marie Smith at amsith@njsba.org, cell – 609-969-1917.