EduDesign 2025-26
As you may know, EduDesign will look different this year as the EduDesign Team works towards creating a sustainable model of EduDesign for the years to come. We are excited to invite you to our Fall EduDesign Kickoff to learn more about what EduDesign will look like this year and be in community with one another.
Fall EduDesign Kickoff
Saturday, September 27th, 2025 from 9am to 1pm likely on the University of Washington Seattle Campus
This event will be split into two parts as follows. You are welcome to attend both parts, or just one.
9am - 11am: 2025-2026 EduDesign EduPod Launch
Join us to learn more about what EduDesign will look like in the coming school year! During this part of the day, we will explain the vision for this year of small, self-selected ‘EduPods’, and those interested in signing up will have a chance to plan in groups.
11:30am - 1pm: Celebrating Deborah Massachi’s legacy with EduDesign
After a short break, we will gather again to celebrate and honor Deborah’s work and legacy with EduDesign. This will be a time to connect with each other, be in community, and share about the ways Deborah has impacted us all. Lunch will be provided during this time.
RSVP
If you intend to come to one or both parts of this event, please fill out the RSVP Google Form by September 1st so we can get an accurate count of how many people we will have, for logistics and planning purposes.
We will follow up with those who have RSVP’d about the specific location. It will be in-person in the Seattle area, likely on the UW campus.
2025-2026 EduDesign EduPods
An EduPod is a small group of at least 3 teachers (but no more than 6-7) that get together around a specific shared practice, question/inquiry, and/or idea in relation to justice centered teaching. EduPods are self-organized and members decide where and how often to meet for the academic year (in-person or virtual).
- Example #1: An EduPod of 4 may decide that each of them will lead 1 session for the 4 sessions they have scheduled. For example, a teacher might say: “In my classroom, I used this activity related to Culturally Sustaining Practices. This is what worked, this is where I got stuck” and then there’s an opportunity for the EduPod to engage in conversation about that.
- Example #2: A shared inquiry question amongst a group of 3rd grade teachers. For example: “How can we invite translanguaging authentically into our classrooms?” Teachers would co-design and decide on the way they want to explore that inquiry question in the classroom, and then they all come together after some amount of time and share what worked/didn’t work.
The Fall EduDesign Kickoff (see above for more details) will be an opportunity for EduDesign alumni to brainstorm possible EduPod ideas. Whether you are interested in leading a pod or being a part of someone else’s pod, you will have a chance to discuss and fill out an application with others to create your EduPod for clock hours. Please RSVP to let us know you are interested in attending. If you are unable to attend the in-person kickoff event event, please still fill out the RSVP form and select the option to receive follow-up information about EduPods via email and we will follow up with you.
EduDesign Pods ('EduPods') FAQs
- Who can be in an EduPod?
Past EduDesign participants are invited to create and/or join an EduPod. We know some past participants may live outside of the Seattle-area, and are welcome to join an EduPod, though at least one EduPod participant must be local in order to attend our Spring Event to present on your EduPod’s work.
- Do I have to have an idea or EduPod group ready before I come to the 9/27 event?
You are welcome to have an idea or EduPod group you’re already thinking about, but if not, no worries! There will be time to think through ideas at the Fall Kickoff event. If you are not able to make it to the event but are interested in joining or starting an EduPod, keep an eye on this website, where we will post the EduPod application once it opens.
- What is the time commitment of an EduPod? How often will we meet?
This is up to your EduPod - you can decide what is most convenient or helpful for your group’s participants. You can meet virtually or in person, synchronously or asynchronously, on weekends or weekdays, for shorter or longer periods of time.
- Do I get clock hours for an EduPod?
Yes, each participant in an EduPod is eligible for up to 10 clock hours through UW ConnectEd. The EduDesign Team will support you through your EduPod’s Point Person to receive clock hours for your meetings. We will be in touch with more information about this as the year progresses.
- When are applications due?
Applications to create an EduPod will be due October 15th, 2025. You will be notified of your EduPod’s ability to be sponsored by UW by November 1st, 2025.
- Why is EduDesign changing? Will the EduDesign cohort model return?
This year, we are pausing the EduDesign cohort model to collect data about the impact EduDesign has had over the past 10 years. We hope to re-start the cohort model again for the 2026-2027 year.