Bryan Goodwin

Deputy Executive Director of the McREL Institute at Region 13

About Bryan Goodwin

Bryan Goodwin serves as the Deputy Executive Director of the McREL Institute at Region 13, where guides the Institute’s research and professional learning programs. A former teacher and journalist, Mr. Goodwin has written a dozen books and more than 100 journal articles translating research into practical guidance for educators, including The New Classroom Instruction that Works (ASCD, 2022) and Building a Curious School (Corwin, 2020). He is a frequent presenter at national and international conferences and has helped schools and school systems across the nation and globe improve student outcomes. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Baylor University in Waco, Texas and a Master’s degree from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.

Keynote Address

Creating Joyful Teacher Learning from the Inside Out

Teachers love to learn—but too often, professional learning doesn’t love them back. Instead of curiosity and collaboration, they get mandates and “shoulds.”In this keynote, we’ll flip the script. You’ll learn three practical shifts to turn teacher learning into collaborative inquiry experiences that spark curiosity, tackle real challenges, and make learning joyful again.

Breakout Session

Designing brain-based professional learning

Let’s be honest—most professional development falls flat. It’s often slow, disconnected from teachers’ needs, and short on practical application, leaving little impact on classroom practice. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

When thoughtfully designed, professional learning can meaningfully improve teaching and student outcomes. The key is aligning it with how adults actually learn.

In this session, you’ll explore a six-phase learning model—proven effective for students—and discover how to apply it to teacher learning. Learn how to design experiences that are practical, engaging, and even joyful, so educators don’t just participate—they grow.