In 2022, co-founders and directors Tricia Ebarvia (top-R) and Dr. Sonja Cherry-Paul (Top, Middle) host an author panel on the topic of Writing on Race and Identity. The panel also included authors New York Times best-selling author Frederick Joseph (Patriarchy Blues, Better Than We Found It, The Black Friend), Newbery Award-winning author Amina Luqman-Dawson (Freewater), and was facilitated by Gloria Edim, editor and founder of Well Read Black Girl (and special guest appearance by Jason Reynolds!). At IREL-Boston, our author panel included Raul the Third, Dr. Kimberly N. Parker, Lisa Stringfellow, and Autumn Allen (Bottom)

The Institute for Racial Equity in Literacy (IREL) is a professional development experience for all educators interested in examining the intersections of literacy and racial equity. Since its founding in 2019, IREL has impacted hundreds of educators across the country and world. Join co-directors Dr. Sonja Cherry-Paul and Tricia Ebarvia along with educators from across the country as we gather in 2024 in Boston, MA, at Boston University in the winter, and Washington, D.C. this summer at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library. Special thanks to our partners, The Center for Educating Critically and the D.C. Public Library Foundation, whose support helps to make IREL possible.

IREL is offered in two 3-day sessions, providing greater flexibility and accessibility for our participants. Please join us for both (or one) sessions!

Boston Winter Session: Reading Toward Freedom (K-12)

• January 4, 5, 6 – Boston University (Center for Educating Critically)

Summer Session 1: Writing Toward Freedom (3-12)

• July 7, 8, 9 – Washington, D.C. (MLK Memorial Library)

Summer Session 2: Reading Toward Freedom (K-12)

• July 11, 12, 13 – Washington, D.C. (MLK Memorial Library)

In addition to high quality professional development, IREL also focuses on building community and connections with other educators through joyful learning. And what’s more joyful than playing rock-paper-scissors with a roomful of the friends you’ve made all week!

FAQs

(TOP) Hands-on learning in small groups makes the IREL experience personal and engaging. (BOTTOM) Participants explore the special exhibits throughout the MLK, Jr. Memorial Library.

Who should attend IREL? 

While IREL is focused primarily on literacy, all educators are welcome as antiracist work spans all disciplines and subject areas. Humanities teachers will find IREL especially useful. In the past, participants included K-12 classroom teachers, instructional coaches, administrators, district leaders, teacher educators, authors, and equity teams. In the past, previous participants have found it especially valuable to attend IREL with other educators from their schools.

We are also proud to have also many IREL alumni return for multiple summer sessions; indeed, each one is unique, and this year’s new offerings present exciting opportunities to engage deeper into our instructional practices as teachers of reading and writing. Whether you are new or a returning IREL participant, we can’t wait to work with and learn alongside you!

What is a typical IREL experience like?

We believe it’s our community that makes IREL the special experience it is. Over the years, more than 600 educators have participated in IREL either in-person or online.

During IREL, participants will not only enjoy whole group learning with Sonja and Tricia, but also have a more personal experience through small group learning. Participants will be placed in smaller cohorts, led by one of our IREL facilitators. Each facilitator has extensive classroom experience and helps their cohort members process their learning and build community together. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn from other cohort facilitators in special topic workshops. Finally, racial affinity spaces will be available to meet participants’ different needs.

In addition to the hands-on learning, participants will also have opportunities to explore the D.C. area with its rich offerings of museums and history. A special author panel is always a highlight! (NOTE: The 2024 IREL Author Panel will take place on the day between the two sessions, on Wednesday, July 10. Participants from both sessions are invited to attend!)

How will this institute meet the needs of educators of color?

As a Black woman (Sonja) and Asian American woman (Tricia), we understand what it is like when professional development experiences do not differentiate for the particular needs or honor the voices and experiences of educators of color. Throughout the week, we have built in opportunities for participants to gather in racial affinity group spaces as one opportunity to provide a space for educators of color to reflect and engage in learning.

Do I have to attend both sessions?

While we would love for participants to attend both, we know how busy and how precious summer days can be. This year’s format offers participants two different opportunities, each 3-days in length. Come for one or both!

How much does each session cost?

Equity and access are the foundation of this institute, and with that in mind, our goal is to keep registration costs as affordable as possible for educators while also ensuring that our team of facilitators is also compensated for their time and talent. Costs for each session will be available soon.

How can I register?

Registration is available on our website once available. Space will be limited. Consider bringing a group from your school/district!

I have more questions. Who can I contact?

Please email Sonja and Tricia directly at SonjaAndTricia@theirel.org.

What previous participants have to say

If you can only go to one professional development opportunity this year go to IREL. It was life changing. Having the chance to work together and have hard conversations with educators from all parts of the country is a gift. Not only will you leave with a greater understanding of race and racial identity but you will get amazing resources and practical teaching strategies for teaching literacy. The facilitators are joyful, outstanding educators and excellent communicators. I learned how to start the hard conversations and how to be leader in creating change. I can’t wait to go back.

Catherine L.

I was overall very impressed with this experience and in particular found Tricia and Sonja to be excellent facilitators – so knowledgeable, open, kind, but direct.

Middle School Teacher

This institute provided me with the opportunity to interrogate my practices, beliefs and ideologies and how they show you in my spaces and relationships with staff and students.

Cathline T.

My facilitator was amazing. I am so thankful for her guidance and the way she kept us accountable for the work and was honest about her own journey. She shared so much of her work with colleagues and children with us which was so generous, especially when she is grieving. Thank you for creating this community. Overall all the presenters and facilitators were so generous with their time and resources.

3rd Grade Teacher