Meet our Keynote Speaker

Dr. Emma Parangi

Emma Parangi is a Professional Learning Facilitator with the Educational Leadership Project and a Professional Teaching Fellow at Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland. Her PhD research centers the voices and experiences of Indigenous women leading in early childhood education, with a focus on identity, pedagogical leadership, and relationality among Māori and Pacific leaders. In her keynote address, Identity and Storying as Resistance, Emma will explore whakawhanaungatanga, the Māori concept of relationality, and the role of story in sustaining Māori knowledge systems and ways of being. Through examples from Māori practitioners in Aotearoa, New Zealand, the presentation will consider how educators and educational leaders can center cultural identity and use storytelling to resist priorities that may overlook relationships, community knowledge, and lived experience.

Moreover, Karen Ramsey is the Head Teacher at Roskill South Kindergarten in Mount Roskill, Auckland, Aotearoa, New Zealand. She has been connected to the Roskill South Kindergarten community since 1997 and has spent many years developing a rich and responsive local curriculum alongside children, teachers, and families. Her work with Learning Stories has shaped her teaching practice and continues to inspire educators in Aotearoa and beyond. In her keynote address, Te Ōhāki: Our Taonga, Karen will share the collaborative journey of creating a pou, a Māori carving that honors the people, places, stories, and values of the Roskill South Kindergarten community. Developed with children, families, teachers, community members, and local iwi, the project demonstrates how storytelling and Indigenous community partnerships can strengthen connection, cultural identity, and belonging across generations.

Together, their presentations invite us to consider how stories can honor cultural knowledge, strengthen relationships, and support communities in imagining more connected and responsive educational spaces.

Registration now open!

Virtual Attendee Registration Virtual Attendee Registration
Virtual Attendee Registration
$89.00
Limit 1 per order

Virtually join educators, leaders, researchers, and advocates for the 9th National Learning Stories Conference on October 3, 2026, hosted live at the Ventura County Office of Education in Camarillo, California.

This year's theme, Telling Our Way Forward: Learning Stories of Belonging and Resistance, explores the power of storytelling to foster belonging, honor diverse identities, and transform learning through authentic documentation and relationships.

Your conference registration includes:

  • Inspiring keynote presentations from nationally recognized speakers

  • Choice of engaging breakout workshops tailored to your interests

  • Opportunities to connect, collaborate, and learn alongside educators

  • 30-day on-demand access to conference recordings after the event

Whether you're new to Learning Stories or looking to deepen your practice, you'll leave with fresh ideas, meaningful connections, and practical strategies to bring back to your learning community.

Login instructions and access details will be emailed 24 hours before the conference begins.

Your registration helps support the mission of SALSA (Supporting the Advancement of Learning Stories in America). 100% of conference proceeds are reinvested into expanding Learning Stories resources, professional learning opportunities, and future conferences.

In Person Attendee Registration In Person Attendee Registration
In Person Attendee Registration
$129.00
Limit 1 per order

Join educators, leaders, researchers, and advocates for the 9th National Learning Stories Conference on October 3, 2026, at the Ventura County Office of Education in Camarillo, California.

This year's theme, Telling Our Way Forward: Learning Stories of Belonging and Resistance, explores the power of storytelling to foster belonging, honor diverse identities, and transform learning through authentic documentation and relationships.

Your conference registration includes:

  • Inspiring keynote presentations from nationally recognized speakers

  • Choice of engaging breakout workshops tailored to your interests

  • Opportunities to connect, collaborate, and learn alongside educators

  • Breakfast, lunch, and refreshments (in-person attendees)

  • Access to conference materials and resources

  • 30-day on-demand access to conference recordings after the event

Whether you're new to Learning Stories or looking to deepen your practice, you'll leave with fresh ideas, meaningful connections, and practical strategies to bring back to your learning community.

Your registration helps support the mission of SALSA (Supporting the Advancement of Learning Stories in America). 100% of conference proceeds are reinvested into expanding Learning Stories resources, professional learning opportunities, and future conferences.

Group Ticket Discount

Planning to purchase 5 or more tickets? SALSA is pleased to offer your team a 10% discount on qualifying ticket purchases. The discount applies to either: 5 or more in-person tickets, or 5 or more virtual tickets. Please note: In-person and virtual tickets cannot be combined to qualify for the group discount.

To request your group discount, please email info@salsa-global.org

Conference Schedule

Saturday, October 3, 2026 PST time zone

8:30-9:00am - Registration & Welcome Coffee

9:00-9:15am - Opening Remarks

9:15-10:15am - Keynote Address

10:15-10:10am - Break/Transition

10:30-11:45am - AM Workshops

11:45am-12:30pm - Lunch Break

12:30-1:45pm - PM Workshops

1:45-2:00pm - Break/Transition

2:00-2:45pm - Closing Performance

2:45-3:00pm - Closing Remarks

(schedule subject to change)

Conference Location

We are thrilled to announce we will be hosted by the Ventura County Office of Education at the Conference and Educational Services Center in Camarillo, California.

5100 Adolfo Road 
Camarillo, CA 93012

 

Virtual Conference Access

We're excited to offer Virtual Conference Access for attendees who cannot join in person. Experience the conference from wherever you are through our conference website, where keynote presentations and multiple workshop sessions will be streamed live.

Virtual attendees will have the flexibility to choose from a variety of workshops, each hosted live via Zoom, allowing you to customize your conference experience based on your interests.

Login instructions and access details will be emailed 24 hours before the conference begins.

Can’t make it - or miss a session you wanted to listen to? No problem! All registered attendees—both in-person and virtual—will receive 30 days of on-demand access to conference recordings, so you can revisit your favorite sessions or catch those you couldn't attend live.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Your registration includes access to keynote presentations, breakout workshops, conference materials, networking opportunities, and 30-day access to conference recordings after the event. In-person attendees also receive continental breakfast, lunch, and refreshments.

  • Yes! We offer a Virtual Conference Pass for those unable to attend in person. Virtual attendees can join keynote presentations and select workshop sessions live through our conference website and Zoom. Login information will be emailed 24 hours before the conference begins.

  • Yes. All registered attendees—including both in-person and virtual participants—will have access to conference recordings for 30 days following the conference.

  • Virtual attendees will receive login instructions and conference access information via email 24 hours before the conference begins.

  • No. Workshop selections will be available during the conference, allowing you to choose sessions based on your interests and availability.

  • Yes. If you are unable to attend, your registration may be transferred to another participant with at least 72 hours' notice before the conference. Please contact info@salsa-global.orgto request a transfer.

  • Conference registrations are non-refundable. If you are unable to attend, your registration may be transferred to another participant with at least 72 hours' advance notice prior to the conference.

  • Yes! Organizations registering five (5) or more in-person OR virtual attendees receive a 10% group discount. In-person and virtual registrations cannot be combined to qualify for the group discount. If your organization plans to register more than five attendees, please email info@salsa-global.orgfor a custom group discount code.

  • The conference is designed for educators, school leaders, instructional coaches, early childhood professionals, higher education faculty, community partners, researchers, and anyone interested in Learning Stories, belonging, equity, and narrative assessment.

  • We're happy to help! Please email us at info@salsa-global.org, and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.