Everyone is looking forward to the 2025 AASA National Conference on Education—it’s like the Super Bowl of school leadership, but instead of touchdowns, we celebrate breakthroughs in student achievement, and instead of commercials, we get vendor swag (which, let’s be honest, is sometimes just as exciting).

This conference isn’t just about learning—it’s about connecting. As I watch people rush to sessions, save seats at keynotes, and scan name tags like they’re trying to remember if they actually know that person or just follow them on LinkedIn, I keep thinking about my favorite childhood show: Sesame Street.

A Little Nostalgia

If you grew up watching Sesame Street like I did, you probably remember Bob’s famous song: “Who Are the People in Your Neighborhood?” He taught us that the people we see every day—the baker, the postman, the librarian—are an important part of our lives. Well, if Bob were here at AASA, he’d be reminding us that the people in this neighborhood—the superintendents, principals, curriculum leaders, tech directors, and yes, even that one person always power-walking to the next session—are just as important.

And here’s the thing: Bob never just talked about the neighborhood. He stopped and met the people in it. 

If you have no idea what I’m talking about, check out the vintage Sesame Street episodes on YouTube. 

Blogging and Learning

That’s exactly what I plan to do. I’ll be blogging throughout the conference, and I hope to stop and talk with random people—maybe even you!—to find out who you are, what’s happening in your district, and what we can all learn from one another.

So before you leave this conference, take a moment to do the same. Strike up a conversation in line for coffee, chat with the person next to you in a session, or introduce yourself to someone new. Don’t leave AASA without knowing at least a few more people in your professional neighborhood.

After all…

🎶 They’re the people that you meet when you’re walking down the street… they’re the people that you meet… at AASA! 🎶

And who knows? That conversation you have in the hallway might just be the one that sparks your next big idea.

And let’s make sure that somewhere in the exhibit hall, there’s a cookie for all of us. (IYKYK, Cookie Monster.)

Jane