At BRAINATION, we have always believed that education is a transformative journey, not a destination. But as any educator knows, even the most rewarding journeys can be exhausting. Between the daily pressures of testing, administrative requirements, and the emotional labor of supporting our students, it is easy for our “joy meters” to run low.

That is why on March 21, we are opening the doors of Anne Frank Inspire Academy to teachers from across the San Antonio area for a special event: Reignite Joy: A Teacher’s Summit.

Why Joy Matters Now

We didn’t enter this profession to manage compliance or check off boxes. We became teachers to inspire, to connect, and to witness the moment a student truly “belongs.” However, when we lose our own sense of joy, it becomes harder to cultivate that same joy in our students.

This summit isn’t about adding more to your plate; it’s about making what’s already on your plate feel lighter and more meaningful. As guest speaker Shari Murphy, CEO of Quantum Learning, often says, it’s about becoming “more intentional with who we are and what we do.” When we understand the neuroscience of how our students learn — and how we thrive — we move from feeling overwhelmed to feeling empowered.

Moving from Activities to Experiences

One of the core themes of this summit is shifting our perspective on classroom design. We are thrilled to welcome Jeffrey Scott Miller, who has spent a decade helping educators build positive environments. Jeffrey challenges us to “upgrade from simple activities to anchoring experiences.”

When we design experiences rather than just assigning tasks, we create a classroom culture where curiosity is the default. This is echoed by Dr. Jon Mundorf, whose work in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) emphasizes “teaching that starts with strengths.” Jon’s approach reminds us that every student has a voice; our job is to provide the flexible environment that allows that voice to be heard.

A Day for You

This summit is our gift to the San Antonio teaching community. It is 100% free, and yes, we are providing a great lunch. But more importantly, we are providing a space for you to:

• Pause and Reflect: Step away from the “grind” and remember your why.
• Gather Tools: Walk away with concrete strategies (like the “5 Questions We Should Ask All Learners”) that you can use on Monday morning.
• Connect: Meet fellow innovators who believe, as we do, that every student deserves to find joy and be great.

Join Us on March 21

The “transformative journey” of education is one we are on together. Whether you are a first-year teacher or a twenty-year veteran, I invite you to join us at Anne Frank Inspire Academy. Let’s spend a day refocusing on what matters most: the joy of learning.

Learn more and register for the Reignite Joy Summit here.

Justin Johnston is the Superintendent of BRAINATION’s Inspire Academies and is currently completing his doctorate at the University of Houston.