The First ECET²

In 2012, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation brought together nearly 200 educators and teacher leaders for the first national ECET² convening in Scottsdale, Arizona. After that event, energized teachers began organizing regional convenings to inform and inspire teachers in their own communities, develop their leadership potential, and hone their craft.

ECET² Evolves

National ECET² Convenings: ECET² was born out of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s desire to empower teachers in their professional growth and development. The first national ECET2 was held in 2012. Since then, there have been five additional national ECET² convenings.
Regional ECET² Convenings: Beginning in 2013, energized teachers brought ECET² to their states and communities by hosting regional ECET² events. To date, teachers have organized more than 250 regional convenings in 41 states.
School-level ECET² Convenings: In 2017, teachers who had participated in regional events began bringing the ECET² experience back to their districts and schools. Regional convening planners have provided direct funding to teachers to help them bring ECET² home.

ECET² Across the Country

Through 2019, ECET² has empowered more than 35,000 teachers through 6 national convenings and more than 250 regional convenings in 41 states.

What's Next?

Since 2012, ECET² has empowered thousands of teachers to elevate their voices and improve their practice, resulting in better classroom experiences for hundreds of thousands of students across the country.

But teachers continue to face innumerable challenges, so the need for ECET² will remain as strong as ever.

ECET² can continue to empower teachers nationwide at the regional and local levels by equipping them with the resources, tools, connections, and motivation they need to grow as educators and teacher leaders.