A man who has worked with federal and state officials to implement student-centered learning has been hired by the Newton School District to speak to teachers and administrators next August, before the start of the new school year. Thomas C. Murray has been selected to be the back-to-school speaker for Wednesday, August 19, 2026. Murray is scheduled to talk to teachers and administrators about creating a culture where both students and staff can thrive, and creating powerful first impressions during the first week of school, and giving students something to run back to school for each day. 

Murray is the Director of Innovation for Future Ready Schools®, a project of the Alliance for Excellent Education in Washington D.C. He’s worked to implement student-centered learning with the U.S. Congress, the White House, the U.S. Department of Education, state departments of education, corporations, and school districts across the country. The Newton School District is paying him $9,500 for his August Keynote speech.