Designing for Belonging: A Human-Centered Approach to Curriculum and Culture
December 8-10, 2025 in person at our learning site in Brooklyn, NY.
What small shifts can you make to create curriculum and school culture where every student feels seen, heard, and valued?
The Designing for Belonging Institute is a hands-on, three-day experience designed for school teams—whether newly formed or well-established—who are ready to build classrooms rooted in belonging, representation, and inclusive practice. Through classroom observation, collaborative discussion, and practical planning time, teams explore how to:
Build a shared mindset around anti-bias teaching and cultures of belonging
Observe model lessons and real classroom moments that center identity and voice
Design and refine curriculum using the lenses of representation, critical literacy, and social action
Make small, meaningful shifts in practice that lead to more just and inclusive learning environments
You’ll leave with an actionable plan and a shared school-wide goal that can inform PD, curriculum design, and instructional strategies right away.
Watch more reflections from past years here.
Notes regarding registration:
Must register with teams of 3-5 educators from the same school site.
We strongly recommend that each team includes a school leader to ensure the work can be sustained and supported across the school community.
Institute+Coaching packages are available on the registration page. This option offers attendance to the Institute accompanied with follow up Coaching that allows for more catered focus and process planning based on the goal that your team set at the Institute. That package will include 5 coaching calls that center on moving your school site closer to your goal and creating longer term goals to move your school and classrooms to be more equitable spaces for all children.