School may be out for the summer, but the principals attending next week’s National Leaders Conference will be hard at work. From July 18-20, NAESP and state affiliate leaders from across the country will be gathering in Washington, D.C., to attend the annual event, which brings principals together to meet with lawmakers and champion the “Power of the Principal.”

Over the course of the National Leaders Conference, principals will meet with congressional representatives to call for reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and policies that strengthen the capacity of educators.

Attendees will attend a breakfast with lawmakers Rep. John Kline (R.-MN), Rep. Tim Bishop (D-NY), Rep. Richard Hanna (R-NY), and Senator Jack Reed (D-RI). The membership awards luncheon will feature an incredible line-up of officials from the Department of Education—Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education, and Deborah S. Delisle, Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education—in addition to new NAESP President Mark Terry.

Noted leadership strategist Jeff De Cagna will present a keynote entitled “Connecting Opportunity with Responsibility: The Challenge of Future-Focused Stewardship.” International coach and speaker, Mike Staver, will deliver a keynote entitled “Leadership Isn’t for Cowards.” Principals will also partner with school administrators in a joint briefing with the American Association of School Administrators.

To keep up with the latest updates from Capitol Hill, follow NAESP on Twitter, and check The Principals’ Office blog for dispatches from attendees.

For state leaders who have not registered for the conference and want to attend, registration will be available on site. Click here for more information.