December 2025 Newsletter
Dear Innovators—
As December plows forward so does a natural pause, a moment to reflect on all that this year has held and all that our community has made possible together. At LEAP Innovations, closing out the year is less about an ending and more about recognizing the momentum we’ve built, fueled by your commitment, creativity, and belief in what learning can be.
Throughout this past year, we’ve had the privilege of learning alongside educators, school leaders, partners, and innovators across the country who continue to push for learning environments that center students’ humanity, brilliance, and potential. In every conversation, session, pilot, and partnership, we’ve been reminded that meaningful change happens when people come together with courage, curiosity, and a shared purpose.
As we reflect on the past month in particular, we’re energized by the progress unfolding across our work, from deepening relationships with schools and districts, to growing national communities of practice, to expanding opportunities for educators to test and scale new ideas. These efforts culminate in an exciting milestone we’re proud to share: the launch of our National Virtual Pilot Network, with applications now officially open! This new, fully virtual model expands access for educators and solution providers nationwide to pilot innovations, learn together, and drive impact, regardless of geography. It’s a powerful step forward in our commitment to equitable, educator-centered innovation.
December is also a time when many of us reflect on how we give back. As a nonprofit organization, LEAP’s work is made possible through the generosity of partners and supporters who believe in reimagining learning alongside educators. As you consider your end-of-year giving, we invite you to support this work, helping us continue to create spaces for collaboration, invest in educator leadership, and bring promising innovations to life in classrooms that need them most.
As the year comes to a close, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to you, our community. Thank you for your trust, your partnership, and your willingness to imagine boldly. Thank you for showing up for learners every day, even amid uncertainty and change. And thank you for allowing LEAP Innovations to be part of your journey.
We look ahead to the new year with optimism and resolve, knowing that what lies ahead will be shaped by the same collective spirit that carried us through this one. Until then, we hope you find moments of rest, reflection, and renewal. Happy Holidays from our entire LEAP team and we hope you can get a break over the next few weeks.
In partnership,
Scott Frauenheim, CEO of LEAP Innovations, in collaboration with the LEAP Team
LEAP In Action:
From national forums to local classrooms, we’re continuing to lead conversations and build capacity around innovation, equity, and instructional transformation and we’re excited to carry that momentum into the new year with all of you!
Pictured above (top row): LEAP partnered with the Lake County ROE to host an AI Symposium on December 5. The event brought together school and district leaders, educators, practitioners, and members of the EDInnovators Collective. Attendees engaged in Innovation Spotlights and panel discussions, exploring how AI is shaping equitable, innovative, and student-centered learning through local case studies, district-led integration efforts, and conversations about the opportunities and challenges of AI-powered teaching and learning in Lake County, Illinois.
Pictured above (bottom row): LEAP recently brought together Pilot Network school design teams and members of our EDInnovators Collective for a powerful day of connection and collaboration. Through Match Day, Pilot Network schools are paired with edtech partners, aligned to their unique Opportunities of Practice, the real instructional and engagement challenges educators are prioritizing for their students.
Thank YOU
THANK YOU TO OUR INCREDIBLE EDINNOVATORS!
December Pilot Network Match Days are a centerpiece event designed to connect school design teams from the newly expanded Pilot Network Cohorts 9 and 10 with the 2025–2026 EDInnovators Collective, a group of 15 fast-growing education technology companies transforming personalized learning nationwide.
Match Day marks the major collaboration point between Chicago educators leading innovative transformation efforts and the Education technology organizations certified through LEAP’s alignment process. The event brings together school teams to identify partners whose tools best support their opportunities of practice—the specific instructional and student engagement priorities each team has defined through the Pilot Network design process.
“The ongoing impact of the LEAP Pilot Network and the LEAP EDInnovators Collective is incredible,” said Scott Frauenheim, CEO of LEAP Innovations. “Together, they form a powerful engine for transforming student-centered learning, one that listens to educators, elevates student voice and data, and ensures that emerging technologies are used responsibly. Our EDInnovators are deeply open to feedback and work to ensure alignment as they support design teams with integrating their resources and tools into school and district learning plans. Our LEAP team works closely with our EdInnovators and design teams to ensure resources and tools are implemented with purpose, through deep and supportive coaching. This work is not just improving instruction; it’s reshaping what is possible for learners and educators in Chicago and now, across the nation.”
💫 Read more about Match Day HERE
✨ Learn More About Our EDInnovators Collective Member Directory HERE
Announcements
BIG NEWS! Pilot Network is expanding beyond Chicagoland, launching as a fully virtual national program open to school teams across the country! Discover the program’s impact and learn how your school can get involved!
Learn more about how Pilot Network supports forward-thinking school teams in designing, piloting, and scaling innovative approaches to sustainable school improvement and student-centered learning.
The National Virtual Pilot Network is launching January – June 2026, and we’re looking for passionate design teams—leaders and teachers—ready to co-design, pilot, and scale impactful solutions for their schools.
Participating teams will:
✅ Engage in and earn credits for up to 35+ hours of professional learning
✅ Co-design and implement a plan to address a key opportunity for improvement
✅ Pilot an EdTech solution to support your school goals
✅ Collaborate in coaching sessions and team cohort sessions
✅ Join a network of innovative educators across the country
What to expect:
Virtual Monthly 2-hour cohort sessions with fellow innovators
Virtual Monthly team sessions to advance your project
Individual coaching tailored to your team’s needs
A focus on learning frameworks, design cycles, EdTech prototyping, innovation, and sustainability
Showcase & sharing opportunities to celebrate your team’s impact
Important Dates:
Application Deadline: January 19, 2026
Leader Session Kickoff: January
Cohort & Team Sessions: February – May
Pilots: March-June
Showcase Session: June
Don’t miss the chance to learn more and secure your team’s spot!
📹 Watch the Dec 11 Info Session
🌟 Pilot Network Info Handout
🔗 Pilot Network Webpage + Learn More
Are you leading systems-level change in your district? Apply for the 2026 Education Innovation Showcase!
The annual #EducationInnovationShowcase recognizes trailblazing K-12 leaders advancing meaningful innovation at the systems level. The top ten finalists will take the stage at the 2026 @ASU+GSV Summit for a shot at each category's grand prize package that include exclusive benefits from Digital Promise, Educating All Learners Alliance, TIES, Transcend, and LEAP Innovations!
🚀 Learn More and Apply by January 5th
Our partners at NGLC is opening up their next Learning Excursion to anyone and everyone across the U.S. (and beyond!). From April 9-10, 2026, experience the rigor, relevance, and relationships behind the innovative teaching and learning at Casco Bay High School in Portland, Maine. Register ASAP for discounted rates and reserve your spot before they fill up!
Check out this great opportunity: The NGLC Learning Excursion featuring Casco Bay High School in Portland, ME, April 9-10, 2026. Explore innovative high school teaching and learning and take home bold yet practical ideas to improve learning in your own school. Learn more and register!
LEAP on the Road
Catch LEAP across the country in the new year! We are excited to share that we will be at:
Future of Education Technology (FETC) | Orlando, FL | Jan 11-14
IDEACON | Schaumburg, IL | Feb 9-11
AASA National Conference on Education | Nashville, TN | Feb 12-14
📍 Drop us a line if you want to connect and be sure to save LEAP’s events in your conference schedules! We can’t wait to see you there!
Ways To Partner
Partner with us to bring innovative, personalized educational experiences to your school and to discover new opportunities with LEAP! Schedule a meeting to learn more about Pilot Network, Modern Learning Network, and AI Education Network or any of our other programming!
Join Us as a Corporate Partner
Our 2025 Sponsorship Opportunities Overview provides opportunities to connect and collaborate with our national network of innovative superintendents, school and district leaders, and teachers to transform learning. Contact Jessica Paulsen, President of Innovation & Impact, to discuss a partnership.