How can educators create a joyful, inclusive and equitable learning environment while focusing on the changes needed to transform education? TC’s Reimagining Education Summer Institute (RESI) returns to Teachers College virtually this summer with world-renowned faculty.
This year’s theme, “Cultivating Equity, Joy, and Change: Reshaping the Future of Learning Together,” highlights the importance of fostering inclusive education and joyful learning environments while underscoring the importance of teacher wellbeing.
“The need that RESI fills for educators across the country cannot be overstated, especially in this exceedingly divisive and contentious sociopolitical context, and we are excited for the incredible work and resource RESI will become for racial equity in education for the entire nation,” shares TC's Ezekiel Dixon-Román, Director of the Edmund W. Gordon Institute for Urban and Minority Education.
“We want to focus on the climate and wellbeing of teachers this year,” shares Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz, Professor of English Education at Teachers College and 2025 RESI keynote speaker. “RESI is a space where educators can feel seen, heard, and valued—a place to share experiences, find healing, embrace joy, and leave with practical strategies to transform their teaching.”
RESI 2025 speakers include: Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz, Professor of English Education; Christopher Emdin, Professor of Science Education, Maxine Greene Chair for Distinguished Contributions to Education.; Felicia Mensah, Professor of Science and Education, Chair - Department of Mathematics, Science and Technology; Science Education Program Director; Mark Gooden, Christian Johnson Endeavor Professor of Education Leadership; Limarys Caraballo, Associate Professor of English Education; and Rachel Talbert, lecturer in Early Childhood Education. (Photos: TC Archives)
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Hosted by TC’s Edmund W. Gordon Institute for Advanced Study, educators can look forward to opportunities to grow and engage with one another. The robust, two-day lineup includes community dialogues, workshops centered around equitable pedagogy, wellness support and more.
Notably, this year’s event takes place entirely online, allowing educators across the globe to attend. “Teachers can join from the comfort of their own homes alongside a community of like-minded thinkers who want to make change in education,” Sealey-Ruiz notes, “and live out their purpose of serving others.”
Participants will explore how race and ethnicity are centered in teaching and learning, and how to design racially and culturally diverse pedagogy. Among the many topics to be covered throughout RESI are racial and cultural literacy, culturally responsive and sustaining education and how implicit biases affect leadership and teaching in diverse schools. The event also features numerous presenters and speakers, including TC’s Christopher Emdin, Jonathan Collins, Mark Gooden, Limarys Caraballo, Rachel Talbert and more.
We want RESI to serve as a reminder to educators that joyful teaching and learning are still possible despite challenges...RESI is more than just a conference; it's a commitment to service.
“In a system that often fails to support educators and students, it’s natural to wonder, ‘Where is the joy?’” says Sealey-Ruiz. “We want RESI to serve as a reminder to educators that joyful teaching and learning are still possible despite challenges. It is courageous to talk about joy during times of chaos.”
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Upon the event's conclusion, educators will walk away with critical insight on how to design racially and culturally diverse pedagogy and a Certificate of Participation (Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or Clock Hours). Licensed educators in New York State are also eligible for a Continuing Teacher Leader Education (CTLE) certificate.
“We cannot think about RESI without thinking about where it's happening and what it's connected to: Teachers College is the central place where much of this social justice and equity work is unfolding,” concludes Sealey-Ruiz. “RESI is more than just a conference; it's a commitment to service. We are dedicated to supporting teachers around the globe as they strive to create meaningful change.”