Staying Personal & Authentic as We Kick Off the 2026/2027 School Year!

The work we do each day is incredibly challenging. As we kick off this school year, how can we recalibrate our mindset so that we can be intentional about the work? How can we continue to create a culture where both students and staff can thrive? How can we create powerful first impressions throughout the first week of school, giving them something to run back to each day? How can we work to overcome fear and fail forward when things don't go as planned? Grounded in relationships and built upon a culture for learning, personal and authentic experiences respect the hidden stories within each individual and are learner- centered by design. Regardless of what happens outside our school walls, together we can work to create meaningful opportunities when we hyper-focus on the things that matter most. The work is hard, but our kids are worth it!

Anyone in your district can attend free of charge for this inspirational and transformational kick-off to the 2026/2027 school year.

Meet Tom!

Thomas C. Murray is a nationally recognized and highly sought-after keynote speaker known for blending clarity, authenticity, and practical insight to help leaders strengthen culture, communication, and learning design. He serves as Director of Innovation for Future Ready Schools®, a project of All4Ed based in Washington, D.C., where he works at the intersection of leadership, policy, and practice to support learner-centered transformation at scale.

Murray has testified before the United States Congress and collaborated with the U.S. Senate, the White House, the U.S. Department of Education, state departments of education, corporations, and school systems across the country. His work focuses on helping leaders move from intention to action by building trust, aligning systems, and designing experiences that actually impact people. As a keynote speaker, Tom is known for engaging, story-driven sessions that challenge thinking, spark reflection, and leave audiences with ideas they can use the next day.

An ASCD best-selling author, Murray has been recognized as one of District Administration’s Top 100 Influencers in Education (2024), EdTech Digest’s National/Global EdTech Leader of the Year (2018), Education Thought Leader of the Year (2017), NSBA’s 20 to Watch (2016), and Education Policy Person of the Year (2015) by the Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is the co-author of Learning Transformed: 8 Keys to Designing Tomorrow’s Schools, Today (ASCD) and the author of Personal & Authentic: Designing Learning Experiences that Impact a Lifetime.

Before his national work, Murray served as an elementary and middle school teacher, principal at both levels, and a district leader in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. That experience still grounds his message. Whether speaking to superintendents, principals, teachers, or organizational leaders, Tom brings credibility from the field, humility from experience, and a clear focus on what truly moves people and organizations forward.

He works with school systems and organizations across the country for keynotes, leadership retreats, opening convocations, and professional learning experiences, consistently helping audiences reconnect to purpose, strengthen culture, and lead with greater intention.

Visit his website to learn more: thomascmurray.com

Tuesday, August 11th
9:30am - 2:30pm (Lunch Provided!)

RVA Learning Center
1480 County Rd XX
Rothschild, WI 54474

Space is limited! Don’t miss this free professional development opportunity!

Questions?
Contact us for any additional information.