Five exceptional students are beginning their college journeys with support from the American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA), which has awarded them the 2026 Diann Woodard S
Some students have lost their mother, while others live apart from her due to divorce, incarceration, military deployment, or other complex circumstances.
“Party does not matter when we’re talking about education. We grow Democrats, we grow Republicans, we grow Independents — but most importantly, we’re growing critical thinkers with empathy and voice.
Educators are the backbone of every community, but their ability to inspire students and transform schools depends on one essential ingredient: positive leadership. That was the message best-selling author and global leadership consultant Jon Gordon delivered during the opening keynote of the convention.
