For many educators, summer provides an opportunity to pause and reflect on the school year and invites them to reimagine what next year might bring. NJEA’s IMPACT Conference will provide an opportunity for educators to engage with various topics and themes in ways that spark joy and creativity. Following a keynote address from Prof. Temple Grandin, world-renowned neurodiversity pioneer, select from a variety of breakout sessions on topics such as technology, arts integration, diversity, teacher leadership, healing-centered practices, and more, designed to renew your passion for education. Plus, enjoy book giveaways and prizes throughout the day. 

ARRIVE EARLY on conference day to be among the first 25 participants to attend a private book signing with Temple Grandin! Doors open at 7:30 a.m. 

Conference Schedule

7:30 – 9 a.m. | Registration, Breakfast, Exhibits

7:45 – 8:45 a.m. | Wellness Activities

9 – 10:15 a.m. | Keynote

10:20 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. | Morning Breakout

12:20 – 1:50 p.m. | Lunch, Wellness, Exhibits

1:50 – 3:50 p.m. | Afternoon Breakout

3:50 – 4 p.m. | Prize Giveaway

Keynote: Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin is a professor of animal science at Colorado State University. When she was two and a half years old, she had no speech and all the symptoms of severe autism. Early intensive speech therapy enabled her to speak by age four. Her mother always encouraged her interest in art and urged her to draw many different things. Good teachers and mentors were essential for Temple’s success. Her high school science teacher challenged her with interesting projects where she had to figure out how to make things work. When studying in school became a pathway to becoming a scientist, she was motivated to study. 

An HBO movie titled Temple Grandin was made about her life, and Temple was inducted into The National Women’s Hall of Fame and The Academy of Arts and Sciences. Facilities she has designed handle over half the cattle in the U.S. Some of her most important books are New York Times Bestseller “Animals in Translation,” “Thinking in Pictures,” “The Autistic Brain,” and “The Way I See It.” Riding horses and caring for them helped her get through difficult teenage years when she was bullied and teased. 

Free books for participants courtesy of BookSmiles

NJEA & BookSmiles: Banned on the Run 

BookSmiles will distribute thousands of free books at the conference, including many titles found on banned books lists. Every attendee can leave the conference with multiple books for their classroom libraries. 

COST: $95 for NJEA members
Refund deadline: July 8, 2026 

Registration fee includes program, breakfast and lunch.  

The conference provides up to five hours of professional learning credit.

Register

Registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Only registered participants may attend.  No on-site registration. Registration deadline: July 8, 2026.

Purchase order registrations are not available online and must be placed with the conference registrar, Krista Orellana, at korellana@njea.org. Questions?  Email pdevents@njea.org 

If you have a special physical, communication, dietary, or other related need which may require assistance or accommodations to permit or facilitate your attendance/participation in the conference please contact Krista Orellana, at korellana@njea.org.