Ulster BOCES’ Names Dr. Yong Zhao Keynote Speaker for Deeper Learning New York 2025 Confer

Kingston, NY (February 12, 2025) – The Ulster Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), a leader in innovative educational services delivery, has chosen acclaimed author, scholar, and speaker Dr. Yong Zhao to deliver the keynote address at the Deeper Learning New York 2025 (DLNY25) Conference. This marks the second year Ulster BOCES will partner with Deeper Learning Global to host this transformative event, created to inspire insights into building student-centered schools that prepare learners to thrive in an ever-changing future. 

Dr. Zhao is an internationally recognized scholar in education. He has authored more than 100 articles and nearly 40 books, including Learners Without Borders (2021), What Works May Hurt (2018), and World Class Learners (2012). His work examines the intersection of globalization, technology, and personalized education. He previously held key positions at the University of Oregon, University of Melbourne, Michigan State University, and other institutions, focusing on educational innovations, global education, leadership, and technology. 

DLNY25, scheduled for July 15–16, 2025, centers on the theme “Leading for Deeper Learning.” The conference provides educators an interactive experience during which they discover new horizons in education, benefiting students and their families. Deeper Learning is an innovative approach to project-based learning that teaches the higher-order thinking skills, learning dispositions, and collaboration skills students need to succeed in modern life. It directly aligns with the New York State Education Department’s upcoming release of its “Portrait of a Graduate.”

“Deeper Learning is not just about going deeper into a subject matter,” said Dr. Zhao. “It’s about personalization, about treating each student as a unique individual with their own interests, talents, and potential. The true power of Deeper Learning lies in its ability to inspire students, to help them believe in themselves and their capacity to solve meaningful problems.”

At DLNY25, Dr. Zhao, who is currently Foundation Distinguished Professor at the University of Kansas, will share his vision for the future of education and the critical role that the Deeper Learning model must play in transforming schools and districts. Drawing from his decades of experience in education research and his work with schools and school systems around the world, Dr. Zhao consistently challenges the status quo and asks educational leaders to think differently. 

“The concept of Deeper Learning is to move beyond the industrial model of schooling that has dominated education systems for far too long,” said Dr. Jonah Schenker, superintendent of Ulster BOCES. “By embracing personalization, schools can empower students to take ownership of their learning, fostering a sense of agency and the ability to solve problems that are meaningful to them and their communities.”

To learn more and register for Deeper Learning New York 2025, visit Ulster’s DLNY25 site.

About Ulster BOCES

Ulster BOCES is guided by four North Star Commitments, which are that learners will 1) develop their unique self; 2) contribute to community; 3) develop their capacity; and 4) engage in continuous cycles of inquiry. We are proud hosts of the annual Deeper Learning New York conference (DLNY), as well as the Sustainable Futures Summit, a forward-thinking educational event promoting sustainability, environmental consciousness, and innovative solutions from students and teachers. Ulster BOCES serves the eight public school districts in Ulster County, so our programs benefit almost every student, teacher, administrator, business, and taxpayer in Ulster County. For more information, visit UlsterBOCES.org.

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