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Summer Academy

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.  

Register Here

Learn More

Learn More

Learn More

Participants in the PJI Summer Academy will:

  • Employ pedagogical tools and theoretical frameworks to create peaceful, safe, trauma-sensitive and inclusive spaces.
  • 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.

2024 Summer Academy Video

Testimonials

"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
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PJI Summer Academy Format

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: 

  • Expert facilitation from a diverse team of PJI facilitators and educators.
  • Access to PJI created activities and curriculum. 
  • Printed and online resources and materials, including four foundational texts. 
  • Use of active and experiential learning including mindfulness, reflective practice, and scholarship of the self and shelf.

2025 Summer Academy Schedule

The 2025 Summer Academy will take place at the Orlando Garden Club.

Session I: June 9 – 13, 2025

Session I:
June 9 – 13, 2025

Session II: June 23 – 27, 2025

Session II:
June 23 – 27, 2025

Register Here

Professional Development Certification

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.

Further Learning

Once participants have completed the PJI Summer Academy, participants will be provided with: PJI Academy Alumni support and mentorship PJI practices and tools to use in your classroom Further offerings of Development Days and retreats after the summer experience to dive deeper into resilience, self-care, and equity topics.

Who Should Attend This Program? 

The PJI Summer Academy welcomes a diverse range of professionals, including educators, community organizers, social workers and leaders dedicated to fostering resilient learning environments and community well-being. This intensive week-long program is tailored for individuals from various sectors, including community organizations, early learning, K-12 education, colleges, universities and government agencies. If you have questions about whether this program is right for you, contact Lianna McGowan at lianna@peacejusticeinstitute.org. 

Schools and organizations are encouraged to send groups of three or more participants to the Summer Academy. In their small group, participants will have time to plan strategies to bring the learnings back to the school or organization to create lasting cultural impact. 

Contact Information

Please email Lianna McGowan, director, at lianna@peacejusticeinstitute.org

Email Lianna

Summer Academy Impact

Graduates
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Schools,
Higher Education Institutions,
and Organizations
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Public K-12 

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

Liberty High School

Markham Woods Middle School

Millennium Middle School

Neptune Middle School 

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

Private K-12

Bishop Moore Catholic High School

Good Shepherd Catholic School

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

Higher Education

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

Community and Faith Based Organizations

Agape Perfecting Praise & Worship Center

City of Groveland

Horizons Childcare & Learning Center

Ibrahim & Maryam Youth

Parramore Kidz Zone & Holden Heights

Peace’s of the World

Rosen Preschool

Shalom Orlando

The First Academy

Unity on the Space Coast

Government and Social Service Agencies

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 Public Schools: Mental Health Services

Parramore Education & Innovation District

United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida

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Photography: Willie J. Allen Jr. 

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