National News Literacy Conference keynote speakers announced
Headliners include CNN’s Abby Phillip, ‘America’s Government Teacher’ Sharon McMahon, and former Utah Teacher of the Year John Arthur
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 22, 2025 — The News Literacy Project, the nation’s leader in K-12 news literacy education, is launching its inaugural national conference for educators with a high-profile lineup of speakers.
Audiences will hear from Abby Phillip of CNN’s Newsnight, “America’s Government Teacher” Sharon McMahon and former Utah Teacher of the Year John Arthur.
Teaching students how to navigate news and information is more critical. than ever. The National News Literacy Conference will bring together educators from across the country dedicated to ensuring the next generation can think critically, spot misinformation and engage thoughtfully with the world around them.
Taking place Oct. 8-10, 2026, in Salt Lake City, Utah, teachers will learn actionable strategies to bring news literacy into the classroom, enjoy networking with like-minded peers and find inspiration in keynote presentations.
A call for proposals and early registration will be announced soon. Sign up to be the first to receive updates.
About the speakers
Abby Phillip is the anchor of NewsNight with Abby Phillip on CNN. She joined the network in 2017 to cover President Donald Trump’s first administration and served as a White House Correspondent. In January 2020, she moderated CNN’s Democratic presidential debate in Iowa. Phillip previously reported at The Washington Post, ABC News and Politico. Throughout her career she has covered multiple presidents, campaign finance, lobbying and several presidential campaigns. She is a member of the News Literacy Project’s board of directors. She is a Harvard University graduate with a degree in government.
Sharon McMahon is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, educator and host of the chart-topping podcast Here’s Where It Gets Interesting. A former high school government and law teacher, Sharon became known as “America’s Government Teacher” during the 2020 election for her viral efforts to combat political misinformation. Sharon’s newsletter, The Preamble, is one of the largest publications on Substack, providing historical context and non-partisan insights to help readers navigate today’s political landscape. Her debut book, The Small and the Mighty, highlights the unsung heroes who shaped America. Beyond education, Sharon leads philanthropic initiatives that have raised over $11 million.
John Arthur, a sixth-grade teacher at Meadowlark Elementary School in Salt Lake City, was named the 2021 Utah Teacher of the Year for his dedication to student-led learning and civic engagement. He empowers his diverse students through storytelling, technology and project-based learning, fostering a classroom where every voice matters. Beyond teaching, Arthur advocates for equitable education and mentors fellow educators. A finalist for National Teacher of the Year, he amplifies student voices on national platforms, inspiring young learners to become leaders in their communities.
About the News Literacy Project
The News Literacy Project is a nonpartisan nonprofit building a national movement to ensure that all students are skilled in news literacy before high school graduation, giving them the knowledge and ability to participate in civic society as well-informed, critical thinkers. Founded in 2008, NLP is the country’s leading provider of news literacy education and works with educators in all 50 states. Learn more at www.newslit.org.