PART 1: SXSW EDU 2026: Notes From a Week of Ideas, Connection, and Curiosity

Mar 19

SXSW EDU has always been one of my favorite conferences of the year, and this one reminded me why. Even with the convention center demolished and sessions scattered across downtown hotels, the energy was unmistakable— ideas sparking everywhere, conversations unfolding in hallways and elevators, and a sense of possibility that will stick with me for a long time. The physical footprint required more intention (and more stamina), but the spirit of the conference was as alive as ever.

What grounded me most were the people: reconnecting with colleagues, finally meeting online collaborators in person, and mentoring brilliant change-making women toward their next step on their path.. As someone who leans introverted, being “on” all day can take real energy, but the organized social events—the DOLS meetup, LeveragED gathering, Network EDU, and the SXSW EDU Movers & Shakers reception—made it easy to come out of my shell. Added to this were the side conversations, quick taco breaks, and excellent crepe lunch, and some shenanigans at Zanzibar. The people I met, the people I reconnected with, the people who continue to mentor me—they made the week feel expansive and welcoming.

I was also drawn to sessions that blended creativity, design, and humanity in unexpected ways. Some pushed my thinking; others simply delighted me. A few cracked something open. Each of the sessions I attended offered something different; a new lens, a new strategy, a new question to carry home. It was a treat to be able to see such a variety of session types and tracks this time.

There were a LOT of AI sessions this year—so many that the content began to repeat. My hope is that AI becomes woven into every topic rather than standing alone as its own silo. I think the most interesting conversations weren’t “about AI,” but about what AI makes possible and what it makes less human. Where the line is. Determining whether the line is shifty or solid. How we can prepare our learners for an unknown future.

Even with all the inspiration, this year came with its own logistical quirks. With sessions spread across so many hotels, choosing where to be was harder than ever, and it simply wasn’t possible to attend some of the top items on my list. I appreciated the new in‑app registration option for high‑volume events, though a few predictions missed the mark and left me in long lines waiting for someone to leave because of the strict one‑in, one‑out policy. I also noticed fewer new voices on the program and far more mentor sessions and meet‑ups than in past years—likely a reflection of the available spaces in the hotel venues. I originally wrote this article with full session descriptions, speaker lists, and reflections on each, but ultimately stepped back from the play‑by‑play to focus instead on what I carried home from the collective experience. Part 2 is about that shift—the deeper clarity this week gave me about my own path, my work, and the voice I’m learning to trust. Come back next week to read more!

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