Overview

July 27th through 29th, 2021
The 13th Annual Habla Teacher Institute was offered virtually to teachers from around the world.

When we as a global civilization together experience a shared event on an unprecedented scale, it behooves us to pause for a moment, to take stock of what we’ve lost, and perhaps even more importantly, what we’ve gained. This year was a year of tragic loss, but it also was a year of inspiring transformation. Brazilian educator Paulo Freire notes that literacy should create bridges between the “word and the world.” This year, Habla’s 13th annual teacher institute examined our lived realities, reflecting on the year that has been, and imagining the future that might be. A range of texts from poetry composed in the last year to contemporary children’s books inspired our own storytelling and art making in a groundbreaking and inspiring teacher institute.

The Habla online institute was highly interactive and participatory. Sessions were hands-on workshops utilizing a variety of digital tools and home art supplies. The event culminated in a “digital performance” on the final day, also modeling how we might bring performance and visual art-making to our online education communities and classrooms. No previous experience with any of the digital platforms we used was necessary. One-on-one coaches were available for any participant who had technical issues during the institute.