Call for proposals

2025 Arizona English Teachers Association Annual Conference
September 19 and 20, 2025 | Chandler Gilbert Community College

"To Dream of a World Beyond the Present”

Practices for Restorative and Sustainable Teaching

“Hope and the capacity to dream of a world beyond the present has always been at the heart of social justice movements. Hope, in and of itself, is an important form of resistance, both political and personal, and reaffirms what is possible, and worth fighting for” (Ginwright, 2015). 

Dr. Shawn Ginwright’s call to action is both a grounding and guiding message for navigating education. In an era where 44% of K-12 teachers report feeling burned out and educational challenges continue to mount, the 2025 AETA conference theme reflects an urgent need to reimagine teaching practices. Restorative English Education offers a revitalizing approach to student learning and cultivating authentic classroom communities, and sustainable teaching methods are increasingly vital for both educator contentment and longevity in our profession. This conference aims to equip educators with practical tools and innovative strategies that position hope as resistance, support teacher well-being, and create lasting and healing change.

We invite you to reflect on the following: 

What does education look like when we dream of a world beyond the present?

In what ways can we reimagine our current teaching practices to support students' needs in their current and future lives?

What is worth fighting for in our classrooms, curricula, and beyond?

We hope you share your answers to these questions at our 2025 annual conference. We seek presentations and workshops that explore innovative approaches to English language arts education while emphasizing restorative practices and sustainable teaching methods. This year's conference specifically focuses on how we can reimagine our classrooms as spaces of healing, growth, and lasting impact.

We're particularly interested in sessions that:

  • Incorporate hands-on, experiential learning

  • Center diverse voices and experiences

  • Demonstrate practical classroom strategies

  • Engage participants in active learning

  • Bridge theory and practice

  • Foster sustainable teaching practices

  • Support teacher well-being and longevity in the profession

Submission Requirements

Title: Clear and engaging, reflecting the session's content and approach

Abstract (150 words maximum):
Your abstract should provide a concise overview of your presentation, including:

  • Main focus 

  • Expected participant takeaways

  • Connection to conference theme

Description (250 words maximum):
Your description should provide a detailed summary of your presentation, including:

  • Detailed outline of your presentation

  • Specific activities and engagement strategies

  • How you'll involve participants

  • Timeline of your session

The conference committee will score each proposal based on the following:

  • Alignment with the conference theme

  • Relevance to the field of ELA/literacy education

  • Research-based approach

  • Clear presentation of content

Session Formats:

  • Panel presentation: A session with two or more panelists (60 minutes)

  • Workshop: An experiential and interactive workshop (60 minutes)

  • Roundtable session: Multiple presenters present on topics, with attendees listening to 3 15-minute talks (presenter prepares one 15-minute presentation)

  • Committee/Organization Meeting: Specifically designated for AETA committees to conduct business meetings, discussions, or updates related to their area of focus within the organization

All sessions should aim to include active participant engagement.

Important Dates

Submissions Open: March 1, 2025

Submission Deadline: May 15, 2025

Notification of Acceptance: June 2025

Submit your proposal!

We look forward to reading your submissions.