WHERE
Salt Lake City, Utah, in Little America Hotel
WHEN
Oct. 8-10, 2026
WHO
K-12 educators and school leaders
RATES
Stay tuned for a link including a discounted conference rate
Presented by the News Literacy Project
National News Literacy Conference
Educate. Empower. Engage.
Featured keynote speakers
Abby Phillip
Anchor and Senior Political Correspondent, CNN
Abby Phillip is the anchor of NewsNight with Abby Phillip on CNN. She previously was CNN’s senior political correspondent and anchor of Inside Politics Sunday. She joined the network in 2017 to cover President Donald Trump’s first administration and served as a White House Correspondent through 2019. In January 2020, she moderated CNN’s Democratic presidential debate in Iowa. She also anchored special coverage of Election Night in America surrounding the 2020 election. In January 2021, she anchored CNN Special Report: Kamala Harris: Making History about the Harris’ barrier-breaking career and the childhood experiences that helped shape her.
Phillip previously worked at The Washington Post, ABC News and Politico. Throughout her career she has covered multiple presidents, campaign finance, lobbying and several presidential campaigns. Phillip was named to the Time 100 Next list in 2021 and was the recipient of the National Urban League’s Women of Power award. She is a member of the News Literacy Project’s board of directors.
Phillip was raised in Bowie, Maryland, and is a graduate of Harvard University with a degree in government. When not on television, she spends time with her husband, daughter and their pup, Booker T.
Sharon McMahon
"America’s Government Teacher"
Sharon McMahon, #1 New York Times bestselling author, educator, and host of the chart-topping podcast “Here’s Where It Gets Interesting,” Sharon McMahon is redefining how we communicate by turning confusion into clarity, inspiring change, and teaching others how to take action by doing the next needed thing.
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. Her knack for breaking down complex topics with clarity, humor, and a steadfast commitment to facts has attracted a community of over one and a half a million followers—affectionately called the “Governerds.”
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, has been celebrated as one of 2024’s top reads by Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and Goodreads, highlighting the unsung heroes who shaped America.
Beyond education, Sharon leads philanthropic initiatives that have raised over $11 million to address critical needs, from medical debt relief to disaster recovery. She inspires audiences with a message of hope: history shows us that even small actions can create powerful change.
Learn more at SharonMcMahon.com or follow her @SharonSaySo.
John Arthur
2021 Utah Teacher of the Year
John Arthur, a sixth-grade teacher at Meadowlark Elementary 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.
Days
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The benefits
What can you expect from the National News Literacy Conference?
Presented by the News Literacy Project, the nation’s leader in K-12 news literacy education, the inaugural National News Literacy Conference will bring together educators and school leaders from across the U.S. for three days of professional development, networking and inspiration. Join us to hear from leading experts and gain new perspectives on news literacy education.