CEESA Newsletter: January 2026 Edition

CEESA Newsletter: January 2026 Edition 

Dear CEESA Community,

January has a reputation for being a clean slate, the outside world closing a year to begin a new one. In schools, it’s rarely that simple. We return carrying the warm weight of what we’ve already built: classroom routines that finally clicked, relationships that deepened, teams that learned how to move together when the weeks got busy.

But we also have all of those pending projects and learning goals that are mid-stream, with the end of the school year still months away but somehow feeling like it is far too close given what remains to be done.

And still – there is something quietly powerful about this moment. The calendar turns, the light slowly returns, and we get a chance to choose our next steps with intention. Regardless of our school Calendars, there is something that clicks as we begin to write 2026 instead of 2025 for the first few times.  It somehow instills a sense of new hope for what might be int his new calendar year.

This is also the point in the year when we remember something else: growth is shaped by others. Sometimes that’s collaboration. Sometimes it’s the quiet incentive of comparison – the friendly kind that nudges us to sharpen our practice. We notice a colleague’s approach and think, I can raise my game. We see another school’s idea and feel that familiar spark: We can do something bold, too. We share our own ideas and watch as they ignite that spark in others.  When held with respect and a true sense of collegiality this mutual challenge and support doesn’t create rivalry, it lifts us all. It doesn’t cool the community; it keeps it warm.

The creators of Stranger Things just gave the ultimate “thank you” to the woman who started it all. By giving their high school drama teacher a cameo in the final season, the Duffer Brothers reminded us that before they were world-class filmmakers, they were just two kids in a classroom who felt out of place.

She was the bridge between their doubt and their dreams. This isn’t just a cool trivia fact; it’s a testament to the arts and a tribute to the mentors who stay in the trenches. It’s proof that when a teacher invests in a student’s confidence, that impact doesn’t stay in the classroom – it echoes across the world.

That’s what CEESA is here for in January (and every month): a network that reminds you you’re not doing this alone; one where ideas travel quickly, encouragement is freely offered, and the best learning often comes from simply being in conversation with one another.

As you step into this next stretch of the year, we’re glad you’re here. Keep sharing what’s working. Keep asking what’s possible. And if your “dance card” is already full, save one space for connection – because CEESA is all of us, moving forward together.

CEESA AI Leaders Series (Launching THIS week)

AI is already shaping how students learn, how teachers plan, and how schools communicate – and everyone is being asked to respond with both confidence and care. The CEESA AI Leaders Series is designed to help you do exactly that: build practical fluency, strengthen strategic decision-making, and lead responsible implementation with clarity and calm.

Led by two expert practitioners – Tricia Friedman and Margaret McCarron – this five-part virtual series equips schools with real tools and frameworks you can use immediately in your context. Each session is 75 minutes and runs at 12:00 PM (CET).

Series schedule (12:00 CET):

CEESA AI Leaders Series:

• Jan 14, 2026 – Strategic Problem-Solving with AI: Leadership Tools for a Complex Era (Tricia Friedman)
• Feb 11, 2026 – AI, LLMs, Hallucinations-Oh My! Leading with Clarity in the Age of AI (Margaret McCarron)
• Mar 11, 2026 – Context! How to Get Curriculum Alignment Fast: From Prompt-Stuffing to Persistent Context (Margaret McCarron)
• Apr 8, 2026 – The M.U.S.H. Framework: Training Schools to Lead on AI Responsibly (Tricia Friedman)
• May 13, 2026 – Partnering with Parents on AI: Building Trust Through Clarity and Values (Tricia Friedman)

Fees & bundles:

CEESA AI Leaders Series – more information and registration here 

• Member schools: $40/session | Non-member schools: $80/session
• Bundle options: 5-session and 3-session packages with discounted pricing available

If you’re looking for a smart, grounded way to move from “AI questions” to AI readiness, this is the series to put on your 2026 dance card.

CEESA 2026 Conference Corner: Sofia Momentum

CEESA 2026 Conference | Sofia, Bulgaria | 12 – 14 March, 2026.

If there’s one professional commitment worth making early, it’s CEESA Conference registration.

Because CEESA isn’t just a calendar event – it’s the moment when the best parts of our community come alive: the conversations that reshape your thinking, the practical ideas you can bring back on Monday, and the reminder that the challenges you’re navigating are shared (and solvable) when we learn together.

This year’s theme: The Heart and Art of Teaching invites us to strengthen both sides of the work—our craft, and the human connection at the center of learning. Whether you’re a teacher, leader, counselor, specialist, or support staff member, Sofia will offer space to reflect, recharge, and return to school with fresh clarity and momentum.

Here’s why we’re encouraging you to register as soon as you can:

• Pre-conference sessions and job-alikes fill up quickly, and early registration gives you the best choice.
• Planning early makes it easier to bring a team, and the real magic happens when colleagues attend together and build shared language for implementation back at school.
• The earlier you commit, the easier it is to protect the time – so March doesn’t arrive with a “we almost…” feeling.

So consider this your nudge: secure your place, invite a colleague, and make CEESA Sofia part of your 2026 plan now. We can’t wait to welcome you there.

Exhibitor and Sponsor Registration – Your Moment to Stand Out

We are thrilled to invite exhibitors and sponsors to join us at the CEESA 2026 Conference in Sofia. This event is one of the most influential gatherings in international education across our region, bringing together school leaders, decision-makers, innovators, and educators who are actively shaping the future of learning.

By becoming an exhibitor or sponsor, you gain direct access to a committed and engaged audience – and the opportunity to showcase your products, services, and ideas to the very people who can bring them into schools. Many of our partners tell us that CEESA conferences create conversations and connections that last well beyond the event itself.

Spaces this year are limited, and they fill quickly. If your organization wants visibility, connection, and impact, this is the moment to step forward. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of a conference that values collaboration, innovation, and meaningful partnerships.

Register as an Exhibitor

Become a Sponsor

With Gratitude to Our Sponsors

We extend a warm thank-you to our CEESA VIP sponsors for their ongoing partnership and commitment to international education. Your support helps us build events that spark connection, elevate professional learning, and strengthen schools throughout our region. We are grateful for your belief in our mission and for the important role you play in bringing the CEESA 2026 Conference to life.