Closing Mainstage

Reflect and celebrate at the Closing Mainstage for ISTELive and ASCD Annual Conference 26! Focusing on the theme of “Elevate Reflection,” this session examines how reflection on creative work — both the extraordinary and the everyday — helps students set goals and unlock their authentic expression.

Pixar Art Director, Character Designer, and Animator Deanna Marsigliese shares how educators can unlock creative potential and fuel innovation in their students. Through reflections on her career at Pixar, including work on "Inside Out," "Soul," "Luca," and "Inside Out 2," Marsigliese reveals the creative habits and practices that fuel her work, demonstrating how educators can create environments where students embrace intuition, seek unexpected connections, and find inspiration in familiar surroundings. She shares stories from key moments in her journey to illustrate how they shaped her creative process, inspiring educators to provide students with opportunities to learn from feedback, reflect on their growth, and develop authentic creative expression.