"The Teaching, Leading and Learning Exchange"
June 11-12, 2026
The Teaching, Leading, and Learning Exchange is a two-day professional learning event for PK–12 educators and policymakers to share innovative ideas and practices aimed at improving teaching, leadership, and learning within and beyond South Carolina schools. An overview of the schedule is provided below.
On Thursday, June 11, The Exchange will begin at Pickens Elementary School in the School District of Pickens County with a focus on experiential learning. Activities will then move to The Watt Family
Innovation Center on Clemson University’s main campus for the annual Commission on Higher Education’s (CHE) Centers of Excellence Symposium.
On Friday, June 12, activities will resume at The Watt Center with the Clemson University Educational Leadership Summer Summit, which will include a welcome by the President and Executive Director of the CHE, Dr. Jeffrey Perez, and discussions with CHE Center of Excellence Directors.
After lunch, there will be presentations of school improvement and student-led research projects.
Please register for each session using this link.
Additional Details
Thursday, June 11, 2026 (in person)
- Morning Session: The first Exchange event is hosted by the School District of Pickens County (SDPC). Activities will focus on experiential learning in Finland and the SDPC. The theme is Work and Play: Changing the Experience from Finland to South Carolina.
- Afternoon Session: The second Exchange event is the annual South Carolina Commission on Higher Education’s Centers of Excellence Symposium, which will be held at The Watt Family Innovation Center on Clemson University's main campus. The theme is Fostering Excellence in Teaching, Leading, and Learning.
Friday, June 12, 2026 (hybrid)
- The third Exchange event is the Clemson University Educational Leadership Summer Summit, which will be held in person at The Watt Family Innovation Center on Clemson University's main campus and virtually via Zoom. The theme is Improving Teaching, Leading, and Learning: Innovative Efforts to Strengthen Teacher and Leader Development in South Carolina.
What to Expect
Event highlights are below - a complete schedule is a available in the full agenda.
- Opportunities to learn about experiential learning in Finland and the SDPC with visits to Pickens Elementary School, Hagood Elementary School, and the site of the new Gateway to Innovation (G2i).
- Center of Excellence Presentations, featuring Center directors and participants sharing how they promote excellence in teaching, leading, and learning across South Carolina.
- Featured Panel Session and Fireside Chats, including Center of Excellence directors discussing how their work helps to strengthen teacher and leader development in innovative ways.
- LEADERS Center of Excellence Poster Presentations, highlighting ways school and district leaders and their coaches are using improvement science to foster the conditions necessary to increase teacher retention and student learning outcomes in rural, high-poverty, and/or underperforming schools.
- Student-led Sessions, featuring presentations and panels proposed by students, including panels of alumni.
Next Steps
We ask that you help facilitate Summit planning efforts by:
- Registering: Please use this link to indicate which sessions you plan to attend.
- Reserving Lodging: For those attending The Exchange in person, there are several hotels in the area within walking distance or a short drive to Clemson University’s main campus. Group rates are available at two hotels for a short time only. The booking links are below.
We look forward to engaging with you at The Exchange. More information about logistics including parking, food, and other details will be provided prior to the event.