Social Impact Educator Gathering 2025

November 14-15, 2025 at Grinnell College, outside Des Moines, Iowa

Join us for a revitalizing network gathering of social impact and systems educators! 

If you are an educator—or someone working at the intersections of systems, sustainability, social impact, or civic action—this gathering is for you. We are living in complex times, and educators who understand complexity and systems change are needed more than ever. And when our work is needed more than ever, we need each other more than ever. 

Over two days, we’ll engage with each other both informally and in interactive sessions designed to spark fresh thinking, deepen connections, and explore new models and tools for systems and impact education. You’ll connect with global colleagues, share your own experiences, and learn together in a welcoming, informal environment. 

These times need you, and we need each other.

Join us:

  • If you want to meet other educators

    – Build your contacts among peers and connect with colleagues who share your passion for systems, sustainability, social impact, and civic action.

  • If you want to learn new skills

    – Incorporate systems thinking tools and pedagogies into your work in practical, impactful ways. 

  • If you want to bring your questions

    – Share your learning in service of raising our collective ability to contribute to positive change in our roles as educators and beyond. 

  • If you want to build a meaningful network

    – Join a growing community of practice that will continue to support, collaborate, and grow together well beyond this gathering. 

What to Expect:

  • Workshops and peer-led discussions that spark new ideas and deepen your systems understanding.

  • Opportunities to connect with like-minded educators and strengthen a supportive global network.

  • Time to recharge, reflect, and enjoy being together in a distinctive rural community.

Schedule Highlights:

  • November 13th:

    Travel Day

    Arrival: Grinnell College will coordinate a number of free shuttles from the Des Moines International Airport 

    Evening: Optional informal dinner gathering for those who arrive in time. 

  • November 14th:

    Official gathering kicks-off!

    A full day of workshops, a social justice tour focused on our host community of Grinnell, a gallery walk where we are introduced to each other’s works, chances for reflection, and  fully catered lunch and dinner gatherings. 

  • November 15th:

    Workshops, peer mentoring, and collaboration sessions

    Today there will be more chances to gather all together, and in small groups, for pre-planned workshops as well as open space sessions for whatever has emerged from yesterday’s gatherings. There will also be some time for a walk (or outdoor chat) with newly acquainted peers (and perhaps some old friends) as well as other surprises, so bring your most curious self! Lunch and dinner will once again be provided. 

  • November 16th:

    Departures

    Some may choose to fly out Saturday evening, but for those flying out Sunday, you may share in some final collaborative conversations over breakfast. Grinnell College will also provide a number of free shuttles to the airport—where you may have even more time to brainstorm co-creative endeavors. 

The exact schedule is being determined but expect the possibility of days that might include:

  • An optional morning meditation
  • Interactive workshops to not only learn about how others teach systems work, but to experience it yourself in fun and interactive ways
  • Opportunities to share your needs and offers and connect in small groups to find ways to support and cross-pollinate our work
  • Breakout groups on a range of topics of interest drawn from attendees post-sign-up requests perhaps including things like: bringing indigenous wisdom and practices into the classroom, embedding systems thinking in your department as not only an educational offering but an internal practice, the inner work of systems change, etc.
  • Workshops on the “how” of this work: practical tools, tips, and tactics that might be useful to include in your own future work
  • A “sharing” room – a place for you to bring printed material, posters, or other information about what YOU do or are offering, with a scheduled “gallery walk” time where we can explore the work of the group

Cost

Grinnell College is covering the vast majority of the costs, so the registration fee is only $50 per person.

The fee covers: group airport transfers from Des Moines airport on November 13th and back on November 16th, dinner on the 13th, lunch & dinner on the 14th & 15th, and one month of free membership to a social impact educator community, which you’ll learn more about at the event.

Participants are asked to cover their own travel and accommodation costs. An invoice for the $50 will be emailed to you once you have registered.

Accommodation

Accommodation options coming soon.

Once you register, accommodation information will be sent to you. We will reserve a block of rooms, some within close walking distance of campus with overflow at other local hotels that include a free shuttle service to our campus venue. The accommodation at these local venues starts at around $100+ per night.

For those who would like to attend but need financial support, please reach out as we would hate for that to be a barrier to joining. If needed, we will waive the registration fee and work to try to find a host family for your stay.

Register Now

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