Call for Proposals
 
Consider sharing your expertise and insight through an Education Session
at the 2026 Winter Institute & Lobby Day.
 
 
2026 Winter Institute & Lobby Day
Advancing Innovation: Empowering Transformation for Leading & Learning
March 1-3, 2026
Albany Capital Center
Albany, NY  
 
We invite you to engage attendees in conversations by delivering a one-hour session to help education leaders expand pathways for students that supports learning, innovation, and transformation. We suggest reading the Education Session Guidelines tab for specific details about your proposal submission. Key dates and deadlines are below.
 
Proposals require learning objectives for attendees. There are a limited number of sessions available and proposals will be vetted by The Council's Conference Committee members. Proposal submissions are due by Friday, December 5, 2025 by 4 p.m.
 
Priority selection is given to members and partners of NYSCOSS.
 
  • If you are not a member, please contact Merissa McKasty, Associate Director for Membership, at merissa@nyscoss.org or by calling 518.694.4877 to join NYSCOSS.

  • Strategic Partners (companies, businesses, and organizations) may also participate and must have selected this option as part of their 2025-26 contracted benefits. If your company/organization did not choose this option initially and your proposal is selected for inclusion, your contract will be amended.
 
If you have questions regarding your partner contract, please contact Deidre Hungerford, Associate Director for Business Development, by calling 518.694.4885 or deidre@nyscoss.org.
 
If you have questions about the proposal process, site access, or your submission, please contact Kessa Cooper, Administrative Assistant and Programs Coordinator, at kessa@nyscoss.org or by calling 518.694-4782.

All presenters must be registered as an Winter Institute attendee.
 
Key Dates / Deadlines
  • November 12, 2025 - Call for Proposal opens.
  • December 5, 2025 - Call for Proposal closes.
  • December 6-23, 2025 - Conference Committee reviews and vets proposals.
  • January 16, 2026 - Notification of acceptance or rejection for Winter Institute & Lobby Day.
  • February 13, 2026 - Deadline for Memo of Understanding from presenters due for Winter Institute & Lobby Day
  • February 13, 2026 - Deadline for presenters to upload and submit slides and handouts for mobile app and presentation room for Winter Institute & Lobby Day.
 
Strands
 
 Please submit a proposal focused on one of these six content areas:
 
  • Strand 1 - Visionary Leadership for Systemic Transformation / Focus: Equipping superintendents to lead with a future-ready mindset, drive system-wide innovation, and create agile strategic plans.
  • Strand 2 - Innovative Learning Models & Instructional Leadership / Focus: Redefining teaching and learning to meet the demands of the modern world. 
  • Strand 3 - Wellbeing, Culture, and Sustainable Leadership / Focus: Supporting the health, resilience, and sustainability of leadership teams. 
  • Strand 4 - Collaborative Innovation - Building Networks and Partnerships for Shared Success / Focus: The power of collaboration between schools, districts, higher education, businesses, and community organizations to innovate and solve problems together. 
  • Strand 5 - Equity, Access and Inclusive Innovation / Focus: Ensuring transformation benefits all learners, especially historically marginalized populations.
  • Strand 6 - Advocacy for Innovation / Focus: Leading change in policy and practice. This strand would focus on advocating for innovation within the broader educational policy landscape.