2025 Genius Hour Academy

Day 1: Passion, Plan, Pitch

Discover. Design. Share.
Learn how to spark curiosity in your students - and yourself. You'll explore your own passions, map out a project plan, and pitch your idea in a supportive, collaborative environment.

✅ Learn to teach: passion discovery, student planning, and pitching
✅ Experience it yourself through guided activities and peer feedback
✅ Connect and unwind at the evening Networking & Exploration event

Day 2: Project, Product, Presentation

Build. Create. Inspire.
Take what you’ve started and bring it to life. You'll explore how to support student project work and guide them toward meaningful products and powerful presentations — all while building tools for your own classroom and project.

✅ Dive into classroom-ready strategies for project-based learning
✅ Create your own Genius Hour toolkit
✅ Showcase your work in an energizing educator celebration

Hotel Suggestion

A block of rooms has been reserved at the nearest Marriott hotel for Genius Hour Academy attendees. The special group rate is $124 per night plus tax, available for the nights of July 10–12, 2025.

Important Details:

• Reservation Deadline: To secure the group rate, please book your room by June 4, 2025.

• Cancellation Policy: If you need to cancel your reservation, please do so before June 6, 2025, to avoid any charges.

• Booking Link: The booking link and additional hotel information will be provided upon registration for the Academy.

Please note that hotel accommodations are not included in the registration fee and must be booked separately.

If you have any questions or need assistance with your reservation, please let me know.

Academy Venue

I'm excited to host the Genius Hour Academy at Education Service Center Region 12, a premier professional learning facility dedicated to empowering educators across Central Texas.

Address:
2101 W. Loop 340
Waco, TX 76712

Phone: (254) 297-1212

ESC Region 12 serves 77 school districts and 9 charter schools across 12 counties, offering innovative training, expert support, and collaborative spaces designed for impactful educator development.  

Please Note:
Due to ongoing highway construction near the center, it's a good idea to  allow extra travel time.

For more information about ESC Region 12, visit their official website:
esc12.net

Additional Hotels and Local Suggestions

Other Hotels:
Homewood Suites by Hilton
Hilton Garden Inn Waco
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Towneplace Suites by Marriott

If you are looking for somewhere boutique-ish or would like to stay in downtown Waco, check out the following:

Hotel 1928
Pivovar Hotel
Hotel Herringbone

Restaurants:
Saltgrass Steakhouse
Chuy’s
Fish City Grill
Walk - On’s
PF Chang’s
Los Cucos
Don Carlos
Logan’s Roadhouse

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Andi McNair

As the founder of the Genius Hour Academy, I’m passionate about reimagining what learning can look like when students are empowered to follow their curiosity. With over 25 years in education as a teacher, gifted classroom teacher, and gifted specialist, I’ve seen firsthand how transformational student-driven learning can created real change, not just for kids, but for educators, too.

The idea for the Genius Hour Academy was born from a simple belief: every learner, adult or child, deserves the chance to pursue work that matters to them. This experience was designed to not only equip educators with the tools to launch Genius Hour in their classrooms, but to reignite their own passion and purpose along the way. I'm honored to lead this journey and help educators create the kind of classrooms where curiosity thrives and creativity takes the lead.