The PJI Teachers Academy, a week-long intensive program is designed for educators by educators. This immersive cohort-based program supports teachers in reflecting on their lives and current practices and with an eye to deepening equity in their hearts, minds, and classrooms. Based on the latest neuroscience and teaching literature, participants will explore topics such as privilege, race, gender, trauma, resilience, empathy, mindfulness, and missing histories while also building relationships and community with others. Connect back with your love for teaching and share your experience and expertise with others as you move beyond compliance to connection in your vocation and with your students. Become a champion of peace and justice.

As we navigate through our current global crisis, the PJI Academy invites all educators who are leading the way for our students and teachers to become resilient, lifelong learners to participate in the PJI Teachers Academy where we focus on creating inclusive, respectful, compassionate, and loving learning spaces that humanize all learners. Our academy model is based upon ten years of collaboration with leading scholars in the field of peace studies including Dr. Peggy McIntosh, Dr. Beverly Tatum, Dr. George Lopez, Dr. Michael Nagler, Elaine Sullivan, Emily Style, Dr. Alma Abdul-Hadi Jadallah, and Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg. The academy pairs their insights and practices with local PJI experts to create professional development opportunities for educators using a systematic inquiry-based process to build resilient communities in our schools, institutions, and families.

Our fundamental components of respect and community building prepare educators for difficult conversations related to race, privilege, and politics through methods that challenge them to unpack their own privileges and encourage them to promote justice by taking action. The academy also shows participants that the core of promoting peace and justice is starting with one’s self, a most important contribution to creating safe spaces where students are validated, affirmed, and dignified as human beings.

PJI Teachers Academy Session 1 will be hosted online via ZOOM beginning with a Prelude on Sunday evening from 7:00pm-8:30pm and then daily sessions in two 3-hour blocks between 9:00am-4:00pm. These sessions will be Synchronous (live session via Zoom with your facilitators and fellow participants). You will have access to materials on our online learning management platform Canvas.

Part of our PJI model is connecting through a shared purpose during learning sessions, coffee breaks, and lunch. We are creating authentic and supportive learning using Zoom through our experience with virtual mindfulness, music, art, and breakout rooms that have proven to be quite effective in uniting participants around our shared goals.

Program Outcomes:

• Employ pedagogical tools and theoretical frameworks to create peaceful, safe and inclusive classrooms.
• Explore identity, hidden bias, and life experiences to discover the impact these determiners have on curriculum and student engagement.
• Support authentic dialogue, transform conflict and develop positive interdependence through the use of PJI’s Principles for How We Treat Each Other: Our Practice of Respect and Community Building.

Workshop Completion Requirements:

• Attendance at the PJI Academy Prelude and all daily sessions.
• Completion of all reading assignments.
• Open-minded and respectful approach toward participants and activities.
• In-depth self-reflection and application.

FAQs

Are there scholarships available to cover the registration cost?

The Peace and Justice Institute encourages all participants to first identify potential financial resources through their institution or other avenues to cover registration costs. If not available, please fill out this application form. Eligible applicants may receive a partial discount on their registration provided we have available donors.

How can I access my session and workshop materials?

Three days prior to the beginning of the session you will receive an email with the Zoom and Canvas login information.

For any questions or inquiries regarding the PJI Academy for Teachers, who can I reach out to?

If you have any questions please email Lauri Lott, PJI Academy Coordinator at LLott1@valenciacollege.edu.