We believe that schools should be places where children are taught that their voices matter in creating change.
Educational Institutes
Our Educational Institutes are for educators and school leaders ready to shift school culture through intentional, human-centered, anti-bias practices. To make this learning accessible, we offer two formats: a 3-day in-person experience at our Learning Site and a 1-day virtual institute you can join from anywhere.
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Hear what makes our Institutes powerful—from the voices of participants and the team behind the work.
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Roots ConnectED Educational Institutes are designed for educators and school leaders who are ready to shift school culture and curriculum through justice-centered, inclusive practices that foster belonging. These immersive learning experiences—offered in both 3-day in-person and 1-day virtual formats—support participants in reimagining what’s possible for their school communities.
Whether you're learning alongside your team in classrooms at our Learning Site or joining virtually from anywhere, our Institutes blend reflection, real-world examples, and practical planning. Participants walk away with shared mindsets, actionable tools, and concrete next steps to bring more human-centered teaching and leadership into everyday practice.
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We believe that to create human centered educational spaces, intentional choices should be woven throughout the day and throughout the curriculum; not isolated to one class in one hour of one day or confined to one month of learning. We believe that schools should be places where children see themselves in curriculum; are taught to think critically, examine and address biases regularly, and learn that their voices matter in creating change. Most importantly, we believe that teachers and school leaders have the power to create these spaces, and our Educational Institutes were created to support folks in this process.
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Spend one day reimagining what’s possible—and return with tools to transform every day of teaching.
In this dynamic one-day institute, participants will explore the Roots ConnectED Anti-Bias Education Framework and learn how to make intentional shifts in school culture and curriculum that create more inclusive, identity-affirming learning environments.
Designed for educators, school leaders, instructional coaches, and advocates for change, this experience offers:
Concrete tools to build a culture of belonging and connection
Practical strategies for justice-centered planning and instruction
Real examples of what inclusive, student-centered learning looks like in practice
Time to reflect and plan for school and classroom shifts that matter
Whether you're just beginning or already leading this work, you'll leave with actionable next steps—and a renewed commitment to creating schools where every student belongs.
Learn more and register here.
* inclusive of a 1 hour lunch break and multiple breaks included throughout the day. Full agenda will be sent upon registration.
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This Institute takes place December 7-9th, 2026 in person, at our learning site in Brooklyn, NY.
What does inclusive teaching look like when it’s part of everyday practice—not just a goal?
The Inclusive by Design Institute is a three-day, hands-on experience for school teams ready to design classrooms that offer meaningful access, agency, flexibility, and connection for all learners. Grounded in Universal Design for Learning (UDL), the institute focuses on inclusive planning and instructional design as a foundation for deeper student belonging. It addresses how to support all students in becoming engaged, interdependent learners who are empowered with a deeper understanding of how learning spaces can be designed and accessed.f
Designed for teams of 3–5 educators and school leaders, the experience includes:
Live classroom visits to see inclusive practices and instruction in action
Collaborative sessions that explore the core principles of UDL and inclusive design
Practical planning time to apply inclusive tools and approaches to your own curriculum
Team coaching to support sustainable, school-wide shifts
You'll leave with strategies you can implement immediately—and a clear, shared plan to foster more inclusive and affirming learning environments for every student.
Learn more and register here. -
This Institute takes place December 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.
Further details, general agenda, and registration may be found here.
Sign up for our newsletter to be notified of registration opening.
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If a registered participant cannot attend the institute for any reason, they have the option to make a substitution. This can be arranged by contacting the registrar and providing details for the replacement attendee from the same school, institute, or organization.
If the registered participant is unable to attend and cannot transfer their spot to another person within the same school, institute, or organization, the following refund policies will be applied:
Cancellations made more than 60 days before the event will be eligible for an 80% refund of the registration fees.
Cancellations made less than 60 but more than 30 days before the event will qualify for a 50% refund of the registration fees.
Cancellations made less than 30 days before the event will not be refundable.
All refunds will be processed through the original payment method, Eventbrite, and credited back to the credit card used for the initial registration purchase.
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Accommodations
Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel, lodging, and evening meals (breakfast and lunch included). Explore the list of conveniently located hotels near Community Roots Charter School below. We recommend booking accommodations early, especially during peak travel seasons in NYC.
Address: 85 Flatbush Ave Ext, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: (718) 329-9537
Address: 300 Schermerhorn St. Brooklyn, NY 11217
Phone: (718) 624-2211
Address: 46 Nevins St., Brooklyn, NY 11217
Phone: (718) 552-3800
125 Flatbush Ave Ext, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: (718) 875-8800
Transportation
All attendees must arrange their own transportation to and from the Institute location:
Community Roots Charter School Address: 51 St. Edwards Street, 3rd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11205
Transportation Options:
Subway: The closest stations are the G train at Fulton Street, A, C at the Lafayette Avenue Station, or 2, 3, 4, and 5 at the Nevins Street Station.
Walking: The listed hotels are within a 10-minute walk to Community Roots Charter School.
Parking is limited near the school. If driving, allocate ample time for parking. Taxis, Uber, Lyft, and car-sharing with fellow participants are viable options.
Accessibility and Inclusion Resources
RootsConnectED prioritizes an accessible environment. Unfortunately, our location lacks wheelchair accessibility. Gender-neutral bathrooms are provided. For specific assistance, including sign language interpretation, contact Kevwe Abamwa at programs@rootsconnected.org. For ADA-compliant accommodations, communicate directly with your hotel.
🏫 In-Person Educational Institutes
These immersive, small-group experiences are designed for teams of 3–5 from a single school site. Participants learn not only through facilitation, but by stepping inside real classrooms and seeing what this work looks like in action.
What makes them unique?
Live Classroom Observation: See community-building and inclusive curriculum in real time.
Educator Dialogue: Hear directly from teachers about how they plan, adapt, and build toward belonging.
Team Planning Time: Collaborate with your team to take what you’ve seen and turn it into action.
Embodied Learning: The institute itself models the very practices and frameworks we teach.
💻 Virtual Educational Institutes
For individuals or small teams looking for a meaningful, accessible way to deepen their practice, our 1-day virtual institutes offer a powerful, high-impact learning experience from anywhere.
What to expect:
Interactive Sessions: Engage in facilitated learning grounded in anti-bias, inclusive practices
Practical Tools: Explore frameworks you can immediately apply to your planning, teaching, and team conversations
Real-World Examples: Examples from the field that demonstrate what shifts to curriculum and culture can look like in real and tangible ways.
Shared Reflection: Connect with educators across the country who are committed to creating more human-centered schools
Tangible Takeaways: Leave with next steps you can bring directly into your classroom or school community
Whether you’re just beginning or looking to deepen the work, this one-day institute offers an energizing space to learn, reflect, and plan.
