Real Skills for Real Life Summit
Can 'The New Basics' Prepare Students for a World That’s Constantly Changing?

The future belongs to those who can think critically and creatively, focus intently without being distracted, and channel their inner strengths. Today's “future-ready” student graduates with the knowledge and capacity to adapt, innovate, and thrive in college, career and real life.
These are "The New Basics"—essential skills grounded in cutting-edge brain science and executive function research.
For students to learn traditional academics, they need:
- Focused Attention: to pay attention and stay focused
- Working Memory: to keep information in mind so it can be used
- Cognitive Flexibility: to think flexibly in response to changing circumstances, to see things from a new perspective, and to think creatively
- Reflection: to notice challenges, step back, think about your own thinking, consider options, and pause before responding
- Self-Control: to resist distractions, temptations and impulsivity so you can persist and achieve what you want to achieve
So, how can we make executive function skills the foundational building blocks for developing "Real Skills for Real Life" in our schools? And, what does the science of learning tell us about how students best develop these skills?
Join us to engage with leading neuroscientists and educational strategists who translate brain science into transformative leadership strategies you can immediately implement in your district! Come and find out how incorporating these skills will increase student achievement; build new capacity of your team; and take your own leadership to the next level.
Speakers
-
Andrew Wise
-
Ellen Galinsky
-
Gregg Behr
-
Deborah Bergeron
-
Shari Camhi
-
Pamela Cantor
-
Stephanie Carlson
-
Nelson Cowan
-
Adele Diamond
-
Angela Duckworth
-
Damien Fair
-
Carrie Fitzgerald
-
Nathan Fox
-
Kari Gemmell
-
Kristine Gilmore
-
Isabelle Hau
-
Mary Helen Immordino-Yang
-
Jeremy Jamieson
-
Ethan Kross
-
Deborah Leong
-
Brian Liedtke
-
John Malloy
-
Stephanie Miller
-
Matthew L. Montgomery
-
Velma McBride Murry
-
Gabriele Oettingen
-
Karen Pittman
-
Ryan Rydzewski
-
Ashley Sanchez
-
Brooke Stafford-Brizard
-
Harini Venkatesh
-
Indre Viskontas
-
Rebecca Winthrop
-
David Yeager
-
Philip Zelazo
-
Elaine Zimmerman
Sponsors
Details
October 8 to 10, 2025
Marriott Washington Metro Center, 775 12th Street NW, Washington DC, 20005
$529.00
Member Price
$779.00
Non-Member Price
Not a member? Join today.
Contact
-
Debbie Magee
Director, Leadership Network
AASA, ܲAVƵ
703-875-0716
Speaker Spotlights:
Real Skills for Real Life: Unlocking the Power of Executive Function (Webinar Recording)
Catch the recording of this dynamic webinar exploring how educators can empower students with the critical, creative, and collaborative skills they need to succeed. Learn what skills tomorrow’s world demands and discover practical strategies to activate students’ brains for lasting learning and achievement.
The Leadership Network Advantage
Premier professional learning for educational leaders at any stage of their careers.
No matter where you are in your leadership journey, AASA’s Leadership Network programs can help you grow and thrive.