Connecting, Learning, and Inspiring Change at Tri-Association 2026

This year’s Tri-Association Educators Conference brought together more than 700 educators for several days of connection, inspiration, and professional learning. Held in late September and early October on the campus of Carol Morgan School in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, the 44th annual conference welcomed Search Associates (SEARCH) representatives Jennifer Imholt and Bob Imholt, who joined educators and school leaders for the event centered on the theme, “Ignite Curiosity, Empower Learning, Inspire Change.”

SEARCH was also proud to sponsor one of the conference’s three keynote speakers, Dr. Imogen Herrick, Assistant Professor of STEM Education at the University of Kansas and Founding Director of the ESTUARY Lab (Exploring STREAMS Teaching that Uplifts Agency and Relationships with Youth).

The conference opened its keynote program on Thursday with Ewan McIntosh, creator of the newsletter The Provocation, which has inspired more than 400 lessons, questions, and challenges for educators around the world. In his presentation, “The Provocation: 400 Lessons in Clarity, Creativity, and Courage,” Ewan shared stories from classrooms and leadership teams that explored what the Tri-Association program describes as “the craft of making decisions that matter, the creativity required to design learning that sticks, and the courage needed to build trust in uncertain times.”

Dr. Herrick’s keynote, “Making Learning Feel Worth It,” drew on more than 20 years of experience in education and more than a decade of K–12 classroom teaching, including her years as an international teacher in Colombia. Her research, publications, and presentations focus on helping educators and leadership teams create schools where curiosity, evidence-based reasoning, and joyful learning shape both classroom instruction and school improvement.

Trevor Muir continued the keynote program with “Make Learning Epic: Using Purpose to Inspire Deeper Learning.” Combining humorous and inspirational stories with research-based strategies, Trevor explored ways educators can ignite curiosity and empower students while creating meaningful, lasting change. He also shared practical approaches for developing authentic learning experiences that can renew teacher motivation and “foster deeper student connections,” while highlighting the profound impact educators have on their students.

SEARCH representatives Jennifer and Bob Imholt Imholt were delighted to welcome prospective and registered SEARCH schools and candidates who made their way to the vendor area. Their enthusiasm and commitment helped keep the spirit of connection alive throughout the conference.

For international educators, conferences such as Tri-Association offer valuable opportunities to learn alongside colleagues, exchange ideas, and connect with members of the wider international school community. SEARCH looks forward to next year’s event, which will be held at John F. Kennedy, the American School of Querétaro (JFK), Mexico.