Fall Conference

Co-sponsored by the Progressive Education Network of New York (PENNY) and the Art of Teaching Program at Sarah Lawrence College

Fall Conference 2026 

mid November, 2026

New York City, NY

Get introduced or reconnected to descriptive processes that allow us to look deeply at the words and work of children and youth in order to strengthen our capacity to teach and learn alongside them.

Many educators work in contexts where we face pressure to view our students through a deficit lens. This is often amplified when families’ race, language, immigration status, educational attainment, etc. are offered as a justification for why learners struggle in our schools.

Engage in reflective recollections, close reading, and descriptive reviews of children and their work to create a counter-narrative, one in which the strengths of youth, families, and teachers are made visible, which supports us in building authentic, mutual relationships.

Highlights from Fall Conferences 

2025

"Being able to slow down and discuss a child in depth."

"I really enjoyed the review of a space because it was so helpful it making me think about making my space (my classroom) more meaningful for students and myself and my co-teacher."

"Learning from other people’s perspectives from teachers to administrators."

"As a preservice teacher, being in community with so many very experienced teachers, some whose work I’ve studied in my program! The intergenerational yet democratic and welcoming space."

"Description allows us to delay judgement, and in doing so honor the observed."

"Profound conversations."

"Making connections! I met and heard from so many wonderful people that I may not otherwise have met."

2024

"The replenishment I got from engaging and revisiting this work."

"I loved hearing a descriptive review from a parent and a descriptive review in Spanish."

"Having a chance to stop and reflect and talk about our work was invaluable"

"I loved both sessions I attended. I loved learning about the Descriptive Inquiry to drill deeply for understanding. I appreciated learning from others in my group."

"I appreciated the space to think deeply about my daughter and 'other people's kids' in ways that counter the narratives that persist in education."

"Being able to connect with leaders from many different backgrounds where we all shared the same values."

"Having another high school science teacher present helped me reconsider some content I’d like to revisit."