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The PJI Summer Academy is a week-long intensive program designed to develop educators, professionals and leaders who support learning environments and community resilience, including community organizations, early learning, K-12, colleges and universities. This immersive cohort-based program supports professionals in reflecting on their lives and current practices with an eye to deepening equity in their hearts, minds, and community. Based on the latest neuroscience and data-informed practices, participants will explore topics such as resilience, reflective practice, trauma responsive practices, empathy, bias, mindfulness, and missing histories while also building relationships and community with others. Connect back with your love for your vocation and share your experience and expertise with others as you move beyond compliance to connection with yourself, others and your community.
Thank you to our 2025 funders.
Participants in the PJI Summer Academy will:
“The PJI Summer Academy was a transformative experience that deepened my passion for education and community. I gained valuable tools in resilience, trauma-responsive practices, and equity, while connecting with a diverse group of professionals. It truly helped me foster empathy and connection in my work and beyond.”
Social Worker at Millennium Middle School
This is what professional development should be. In my thirty years as a professional, the PJI Summer Academy stands out for its focus on deep reflection, neuroscience-based practices, and building authentic connections.”
Executive Director at a Nonprofit Organization
“PJI has given my colleagues and me a great many valuable tools and resources that I am confident will change the culture within each classroom, the school, and the surrounding community. This will have a far-reaching, long-lasting, potentially lifesaving impact.”
Teacher at Orange County Academy
“In these five days, I finally understood what the best version of myself could look like, and I’ve been set on that path. It has been transformative. It is life-changing.”
Teacher at Park Maitland
“I am more empowered and knowledgeable. I see my purpose as helping students understand that relationships are the key to building a more just and equitable world.”
Professor at Valencia College
This is one of the most impactful workshops I have ever attended, both professionally and personally. I loved the cohort and the wonderful presenters!”
Social Worker, Child Protective Services
“I am a better human and educator as a result of this week and all of the facilitators. It may sound like hyperbole when I say this week has transformed me, but it isn’t. I can’t wait to implement what I learned in my classes and in my personal life.”
Summer 2023 Participant
“I am more empowered and knowledgeable. I see my purpose as helping students understand that relationships are the key to building a more just and equitable world.”
Summer 2022 Participant
“I believe I have an obligation to try and bring my whole self to my work and in doing so strive to be an agent of positive change and advocate for peace and justice.”
Summer 2022 Participant
“This is one of the most impactful workshops I have ever attended, both professionally ad personally. I loved the cohort and the wonderful presenters!”
Summer 2023 Participant
“This has been transformational. Please continue to offer this week-long academy. This work is so very needed and you are changing lives.”
Summer Participant 2022
“You are supporting the working of educators and community partners build safer, more hospitable spaces of all of humankind! It’s wildly dope!”
Summer Participant 2023
PJI Summer Academy is a weeklong, five-day professional development program. The daily schedule is from from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and includes:
The 2026 Summer Academy will take place at the Orlando Garden Club.
Save the date! Registration launches soon.
To reserve your seat, please email lianna@peacejusticeinstitute.org.
Many school districts and professions award professional development and/or Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to participants who complete the PJI Summer Academy. Each graduate will receive a certificate and letter of professional development certification for 40 PD hours.
Graduates
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Schools, Higher Education Institutions, and Organizations
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Academic Center for Excellence (ACE)
Avalon Middle School
Boone High School
Canterbury School of Florida
Celebration High School
Dream Lake Elementary
Gateway High School
Galileo Gifted School
Hamilton Elementary School
Harmony High School
Hungerford Elementary School
Jones High School
Lake Howell High School
Lake Orienta Elementary
Liberty High School
Markham Woods Middle School
Midway Elementary
Millennia Gardens Elementary
Millennium Middle School
Neptune Middle School
New Image Youth Center, Inc
Newton North High School
Neocity Academy
Osceola High School
Orange County Academy
Orange County Academy-Bithlo
Orlando Science School
Osceola School for the Arts
Orange County Public Schools
Poinciana High School
Palm Lake Elementary School
Palmetto Elementary School
Princeton Elementary School
Professional and Technical High School (PATHS)
Robinswood Middle School
School District of Hillsborough County
Seminole County Public Schools
St. Cloud High School
Tohopekaliga High School
University High School
Weatherbee Elementary-OCPS
West Side Middle School Kanawha County Schools
Bishop Moore Catholic High School
Good Shepherd Catholic School
Intrepid College Prep
Lake Highland Preparatory School
Leaders Preparatory School
Montverde Academy
Park Maitland School
St. Margaret Mary Catholic School
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Academy
St. John’s Episcopal Parish Day School
Trinity Preparatory School
Hillsborough Community College
Fielding Graduate University
Florida State University: Center for Leadership & Social Change/PeaceJam Southeast
Johnson County Community College
Jumpstart University of Central Florida- College of Community Education & Innovation
Lehman College
Onondaga Community College
Palm Beach Atlantic University
Pima Community College
Polk State College
Rollins College
Stetson University
University of Central Florida
University of Central Florida – Public Safety & Police, Victim Services Unit
Valencia College
Agape Perfecting Praise & Worship Center
CareerSource Central Florida City of Groveland Equality Florida Goldsboro Front Porch Council Inc Goodwill Industries of Central Florida Hands of Hope America Howard Phillips Center for Children & Families
Horizons Childcare & Learning Center
Ibrahim & Maryam Youth
Parramore Kidz Zone & Holden Heights
Peace’s of the World
Rosen Preschool
Shalom Orlando
The First Academy
The Foundation for Seminole County Public School UCF – Hannibal Square Heritage Center
Unity on the Space Coast
YouthBuild Global
City of Orlando – Callahan Neighborhood Center
Children’s Home Society
Eckerd Connects
Early Learning Coalition
Florida Department of Health in Seminole County
Harbor House of Central Florida
Orange Blossom Pediatrics
Orange County Corrections
Orange County Public Schools: Mental Health Services
SCPS Consequence Unit
Seminole County Sheriff’s Office
Parramore Education & Innovation District
United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida
University Behavioral Center
Please email Lianna McGowan, director, at lianna@
