Eastern State invites and encourages teachers of all disciplines, locations, and grade levels (K-12) to apply for one of two 2025 Summer Teacher Institute sessions. This year's sessions will take place June 23 through 27 and August 4 through 8.
This program is a great fit for you if you…
- are interested in developing classroom materials about the history and present-day impact of incarceration.
- thrive in collaborative, creative environments and hope to develop working relationships with fellow, like-minded teachers.
- believe in the power of education as a tool to inspire a more just future.
- want to equip yourself with the resources necessary to convene complex conversations about the justice system, its impact, and how we, as citizens, can contribute to positive, systemic change.
This five-day professional development opportunity includes field trips, guest speakers, and research opportunities plus space and time to develop classroom materials, which will then be shared with a broad network of educators. While a 2025 schedule is still being developed, past experiences have included workshops and presentations from Eastern State staff and teacher advisors, discussions with leaders in the field including justice-impacted people, and a tour of an active prison.
Participating teachers will receive a $700 stipend, Act 48 credit (if teaching in Pennsylvania), and a virtual or in-person field trip to Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site for their class during the 2025-2026 school year. Participating teachers commit to attending the entire Summer Teacher Institute and all field trips, implementing the project they develop in the 2025-2026 school year and sharing their materials with Eastern State, teaching one professional development workshop for classroom teachers during the 2025-2026 school year, and bringing their students on a virtual or in-person field trip to Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site in the 2025-2026 school year.
While this opportunity is rooted in social studies content, we encourage teachers of all disciplines, locations, and grade levels to apply. The content at Eastern State is flexible and relevant to English, math, science and art classes.
Apply Now:
June 23 – 27, 2025 — Apply Here
August 4 – 8, 2025 — Apply Here
The deadline for applications is March 31, 2025.
Questions? Contact Ryan Serrano-Hall, Education Manager at [email protected].
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