Sessions of 2026 Midwinter Leadership Conference: Diane Sorden
Sorden, Diane
Early Childhood Education Educator
Flagstaff Unified School District, No. 1
With more than 35 years of experience in education, Diane Sorden has dedicated her career to helping students grow not only academically, but as confident, capable individuals. Over the decades, Diane has served as a coach, teacher, counselor, and administrator—roles that have shaped a deeply holistic understanding of how students learn, thrive, and discover their strengths. Diane believes that education is most powerful when students are active participants in their own learning. This philosophy has guided her work in classrooms and her student advocacy as a school counselor and a leader. She has consistently championed programs that foster curiosity, independence, and real-world problem-solving.
Sessions:
Create Impact, Teach STEM
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Prescott Resort & Conference Center
Our session will showcase a practical, scalable approach to preparing and energizing students for future careers. This fun and hands-on learning includes peer mentorship and community engagement. The program started by the Arizona Educational Foundation allows us to immerse our teens in dynamic science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) labs that encourage curiosity, deeper thinking and greater understanding of scientific principles. Once high school students build foundational skills, they transition into mentor and leadership roles - teaching and aiding younger learners through school and community outreach. This mentorship deepens the understanding for all ages, and it fosters confidence. Through participation, students have connected to local business and industry, and they have applied their problem-solving and innovation skills to authentic challenges. These experiences have exposed students to real-world career pathways, promoted workforce readiness and strengthened career preparation. Attendees will gain practical tools to implement this model in their own rural schools through CTE programs, including examples of engaging STEM labs, mentorship structures and strategies for building meaningful experiences for all learners. The session will highlight success stories and student outcomes that demonstrate the transformative power of student-led STEM teaching and learning.
