Fall 2025 Virtual State Leaders Institute

Join AACTE for the Fall Virtual State Leaders Institute, a gathering designed for leaders of state organizations to stay current on policy developments and strengthen association leadership.

Connect with colleagues from across the country to share plans, activities, and resources, while drawing on the expertise of both national experts and fellow state leaders.

This year’s program will feature a keynote speaker and multiple tracks focused on effective advocacy, current policy issues, and practical strategies for leading and managing a state association.

View Agenda

Plenary: Artificial Intelligence in Educator Preparation

Punya Mishra, Ph.D.
Director & Professor
Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation
Arizona State University

Punya Mishra (punyamishra.com) is Director of Innovative Learning Futures at Arizona State University’s Learning Engineering Institute and Professor in the Mary Lou Fulton College of Teaching & Learning Innovation. A TED-Ed educator and AERA Fellow he is internationally recognized for his work in educational technology, creativity, and design-based educational innovation. He has received over $11 million in grants, published over 200 articles, and edited 5 books. With over 72,000 citations of his work, he ranks in the top 2% of scientists worldwide (#91 in social science), and is ranked #62 (#11 in psychology) amongst scholars influencing educational policy. He previously served as Associate Dean of Scholarship & Innovation and director of doctoral programs (at MLFTC) and directed the award-winning MA in Educational Technology program at Michigan State University. He serves on ASU’s Leadership Academy steering committee, AACTE’s Technology and Innovation Committee, and as editor-in-residence for the Journal of Teacher Education. He is an award-winning instructor, engaging public speaker, podcaster, and accomplished visual artist.

AI: Implementing AI in Ed Prep: Opportunities and Examples from the Field

Leticia De Leon, Ed.D.
Professor
Department of Teaching and Learning
College of Education and P-16 Integration
University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley

Dr. Leticia Deleon is a professor and researcher specializing in digital pedagogy, immersive learning, and ethical AI integration in teacher education. Her recent scholarship includes peer-reviewed publications on AI in education, empathy in virtual environments, and heuristic evaluation for online learning design. She has presented nationally and internationally, earning awards such as the AACTE Best Practice Award and AECT’s Richard B. Lewis Memorial Award with two other collaborators. She is also the Faculty Champion for Digital Pedagogy in the College of Education and P-16 Integration, and in this role, various other research and service projects are under development, including research in AI and educator preparation programs, and professional development targeting AI.  Her research and leadership in the Empowered Educator Program, developed as part of her role as Faculty Champion reflect her expertise in advancing innovative, pedagogically focused digital integration, and learner focused engaged learning with digital tools.

Erin Mote
CEO and Founder
InnovateEDU

Erin Mote is the CEO and Founder of InnovateEDU, where she leads strategic initiatives in special education, talent development, AI, and data modernization. A skilled enterprise architect, she helped develop InnovateEDU’s flagship tools: Cortex, a personalized learning platform, and Landing Zone, a data infrastructure product. Erin also co-founded Brooklyn Laboratory Charter School and is a global leader in technology access and innovation. Her career includes leading major initiatives to expand broadband globally and advising the White House, State Department, and USAID. She previously held senior roles at Arizona State University, CHF International, and Colter Companies. Erin serves on advisory boards for SXSW EDU Launch, XPRIZE, Digital Promise, and the Barbara Bush Foundation. She is an Aspen Institute Socrates scholar and a proud University of Michigan alum.

A2: Advocacy Resources

Tiffany Tan, Ph.D.
Researcher
LPI

Tiffany S. Tan is a Researcher at the Learning Policy Institute. She conducts quantitative research on the educator workforce, with a particular focus on teacher shortages, teacher recruitment, and teacher diversity. Prior to joining LPI, Tan was a teaching assistant in an elementary school and a graduate research assistant at the University of Florida, where she analyzed large-scale national datasets and taught courses in education policy.

Tan holds a PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Florida and a BS in Early Childhood Development from the University of Central Florida.

B1: Communicating the Value of Educator Preparation

Danielle Toussaint, M.S.Ed.
Founder & CEO
Purple Haus

Danielle Kristine Toussaint is the founder of Purple Haus, a creative intelligence and strategic communications advisory firm that partners with visionary leaders advancing new frontiers in economic mobility, health, environment, education, workforce, technology and philanthropy to achieve breakthroughs in business and society.

Over her twenty-year career, she has unlocked over $250 million in corporate and philanthropic investments to organizations where she managed external affairs, communications, development, and partnership efforts. A seasoned nonprofit executive and entrepreneurial leader, she has been Chief External Affairs Officer for NewSchools Venture Fund, Communicator in Residence for Ascend at The Aspen Institute, and Managing Director of Marketing and Communications for both iMentor and KID Museum. She has also been a fractional executive at high-growth, tech-enabled workforce development and mental health social ventures.

Her book, Dare to Think Purple, shares leadership insights and inspiring stories from social entrepreneurs and impact-driven executives and her articles and speeches have been featured in outlets such as Huffington Post, Forbes.com, Business Insider, and TEDx.

She holds a B.A. in Political Science and African American Studies from Yale University and an M.S.Ed from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education.

Jacob Kirksey, Ph.D.
Associate Director & Professor
Center for Innovative Research in Change, Leadership, & Education
Texas Tech University

Jacob Kirksey is an associate professor of education policy at Texas Tech University, where he researches how education and public policy intersect to improve student outcomes and economic opportunity. His work explores student well-being in PreK–12 schools, college and career readiness, and educator labor markets. Dr. Kirksey promotes data-driven decision-making across policy systems to drive lasting improvements in education.

He has secured over $15 million in external funding and published extensively on absenteeism, special education, teacher effectiveness, and workforce trajectories. His research has been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Texas Tribune, and other major outlets. He frequently presents to the Texas Legislature and has testified before legislative committees on the teacher pipeline.

Dr. Kirksey’s latest work is available through the Center for Innovative Research in Change, Leadership, and Education’s open-access repository. Follow him on LinkedIn and Twitter/X for updates.

B2: Session for New State Association Leaders
Karen Escalante, Ed.D.
Associate Professor
California State University-San Bernadino
Western Region Representative, ACSR

Karen Escalante, Ed.D., is an Associate Professor in the Watson College of Education at CSU San Bernardino. She teaches courses grounded in social justice and humanizing pedagogy. She currently serves as President of the California Council on Teacher Education (CCTE) and is a member of the Government Relations and Advocacy Committee for AACTE. Her research centers on Culturally Sustaining Teaching, teaching performance assessments, mentoring, and fostering a sense of belonging among educators. Deeply engaged in political advocacy, Dr. Escalante is committed to cultivating inclusive educational communities and advancing the professionalism of teacher education.

Meghan Salyers, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean
Bismarck State College
Midwest Region Representative, ACSR