Frequently Asked Questions
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General Information
What is Literacy Unbound?
Literacy Unbound is an innovative program from the Center for Professional Education of Teachers that brings teachers and students together to explore literature through creative collaboration. Instead of traditional reading and writing methods, participants engage with texts by incorporating arts like drama, movement, and multimedia.
By blending arts and literature, Literacy Unbound encourages both educators and students to think critically and creatively, fostering a deeper connection to the material and to each other.
By blending arts and literature, Literacy Unbound encourages both educators and students to think critically and creatively, fostering a deeper connection to the material and to each other.
What makes this institute unique?
The Literacy Unbound Summer Institute is unique because it blends literature, arts, and collaboration in a way that breaks traditional classroom boundaries. Instead of just analyzing a book through discussion and essays, participants engage creatively — using drama, movement, visual arts, and multimedia to bring a text to life.
At the institute, teachers and students collaborate as equals in the hands-on creative process, as they build a live performance inspired by this year's text. This immersive approach helps educators rethink how to make literature more engaging for their own students, and helps students find new ways to access literature and demonstrate their knowledge.
At the institute, teachers and students collaborate as equals in the hands-on creative process, as they build a live performance inspired by this year's text. This immersive approach helps educators rethink how to make literature more engaging for their own students, and helps students find new ways to access literature and demonstrate their knowledge.
What can I expect to gain from participating?
Teachers will gain innovative instructional strategies, hands-on experience blending literature and the arts, and a deeper understanding of how to engage students creatively. They'll also collaborate with educators and students, expanding their professional network while developing a fresh, dynamic approach to teaching literature.
Students will tap into their creativity, connect deeply with literature, and gain valuable critical thinking and reflective reading skills. They'll collaborate with teachers, students, and artists, expanding their understanding of the text through arts-integrated methods like drama and movement. The experience will enhance their communication skills and help them think outside the box, making it a memorable and impactful learning opportunity.
Students will tap into their creativity, connect deeply with literature, and gain valuable critical thinking and reflective reading skills. They'll collaborate with teachers, students, and artists, expanding their understanding of the text through arts-integrated methods like drama and movement. The experience will enhance their communication skills and help them think outside the box, making it a memorable and impactful learning opportunity.
When and where will the Summer Institute take place?
The Literacy Unbound Summer Institute will take place at Teachers College, Columbia University in New York, NY. The 2025 Institute will run from July 7 - 11, 2025.
Teachers College is located at:
525 West 120th Street
New York, NY 10027
Teachers College is located at:
525 West 120th Street
New York, NY 10027
Is this an in-person or virtual event?
The Summer Institute and the live performance are in-person events. Participants will be asked to participate virtually only in the form of a pre-institute orientation in mid-June.
What are the daily start and end times?
Players will gather at Teachers College, Columbia University starting at 9am for each day of the institute.
On most days, players can expect the day to wrap up at 4pm; however, on the night of the performance, players will be expected to participate until approximately 9pm. Dinner will be provided on this evening.
On most days, players can expect the day to wrap up at 4pm; however, on the night of the performance, players will be expected to participate until approximately 9pm. Dinner will be provided on this evening.
Do I need prior experience with theater or performance to attend?
Not at all!
Application process
Who should apply for the Summer Institute?
We welcome creative, open-minded K-12 educators who are eager to collaborate with students; ready to explore innovative approaches to teaching; and interested in designing arts-integrated, project-based units for their classroom.
For our student cohort, we encourage applications from students who will be in grades 9-12 in the fall of 2025, and who demonstrate a curiosity for literature, the desire to grow as a creator, and the ability to bring an open mind and collaborative spirit to our unique creative process.
For our student cohort, we encourage applications from students who will be in grades 9-12 in the fall of 2025, and who demonstrate a curiosity for literature, the desire to grow as a creator, and the ability to bring an open mind and collaborative spirit to our unique creative process.
Do I need prior experience with theater or performance to apply?
Not at all! You also don't need to be familiar with this year's text — reading it is part of the institute.
Can I preview the application questions?
Is there an application fee?
There is no fee to apply; you will only be asked for payment if you are selected to be a part of the institute.
When is the application deadline?
All applications must be received by 11:59pm EST on March 28, 2025.
When will I find out if I've been accepted?
We will be reaching out to those who have been accepted by April 11, 2025.
How many participants are accepted each year?
On average, we accept a total of 36 participants — 18 students and 18 teachers — to take part in an institute.
Can teachers CTLE credits for their participation?
Yes! We are able to offer 30 CTLE credits for NYS educators who are selected to be a part of this year's institute. If you're interested in receiving CTLE credits for your participation, please indicate this on your application. We will provide more information about the process if you are selected to be a part of this year's cohort.
Logistics
What is the best way to get to the institute location?
Participants can travel by car or public transportation to arrive at the institute each day.
For public transportation, you can utilize the 116th St. / Columbia University and 125th St. / Broadway stations for the 1 train, or the 125th St. / St. Nicholas Ave. station for the A,B,C,D trains. You can also use the following buses to reach Teachers College: M4, M104, M60-SBS, M11.
If traveling by car, you can use 525 West 120th Street New York, NY 10027 as your destintation. Limited street parking is available in the surrounding area, and t
For public transportation, you can utilize the 116th St. / Columbia University and 125th St. / Broadway stations for the 1 train, or the 125th St. / St. Nicholas Ave. station for the A,B,C,D trains. You can also use the following buses to reach Teachers College: M4, M104, M60-SBS, M11.
If traveling by car, you can use 525 West 120th Street New York, NY 10027 as your destintation. Limited street parking is available in the surrounding area, and t
Is housing provided for participants?
We don’t provide housing, but we would be happy to connect you with resources to locate housing, if you are selected for this year's institute. We can make recommendations based upon the arrangements participants have made in the past.
Are meals provided during the institute?
We will provide select meals during the institute:
- Lunch on Monday, July 7
- Dinner on Thursday, July 10
- Lunch on Friday, July 11
How much time should I plan to commit to the institute?
Prior to the start of the institute, you will choose your own schedule. During this time, you'll be expected to read this year's text and respond to our Invitations to Create, which will elicit your creative skills related to hotspots within the text. Players typically take two hours per day, on average, to complete their reading and creations.
During the institute week, players will commit to meeting in person daily, at Teachers College.
During the institute week, players will commit to meeting in person daily, at Teachers College.
When does my participation begin?
You'll begin independently reading and creating in mid-June. During this period, you’ll focus on exploring this year’s text and responding to our Invitations to Create, which will prompt you to reflect on and engage with the text, jumpstarting your creative process. You'll complete this part of the process on your own timeline.
Your in-person participation begins on July 7, 2025.
Your in-person participation begins on July 7, 2025.
When and where does the performance take place?
This year's performance will take place at Teachers College, Columbia University in New York, NY, from 7-8:30pm on July 10.
Fees and Financial Aid
How much does the institute cost?
Teachers selected for this year's institute will be required to pay a $200 USD registration fee in order to participate. This fee will be due by April 18 at 11:59pm EST.
Students selected for this year's institute will be required to pay a $100 USD registration fee in order to participate. This fee will be due by April 18 at 11:59pm EST.
Failure to pay this fee in a timely manner will result in your spot being given away to another applicant.
Students selected for this year's institute will be required to pay a $100 USD registration fee in order to participate. This fee will be due by April 18 at 11:59pm EST.
Failure to pay this fee in a timely manner will result in your spot being given away to another applicant.
What does the program fee include?
Your program fee covers the cost of necessary materials for participation (including this year's book!) as well as access to professional Teaching Artists, campus technology & resources, and more.
When is payment due?
Payment is due by 11:59pm EST on April 18, 2025. Failure to pay this fee in a timely manner will result in your spot being given away to another applicant.
What payment methods are accepted?
If you are paying on behalf of yourself or your child, you will be asked to make your payment via credit card.
If your school is funding your participation, we can work with them on other payment methods — have them reach out to us at [email protected].
If your school is funding your participation, we can work with them on other payment methods — have them reach out to us at [email protected].
Are scholarships available?
We will have a limited number of needs-based student scholarships available for students, which would help cover the registration fee.
You'll be able to indicate your interest in a scholarship on your application. This information will not be shared with our selection team, and will not impact our decision regarding your application.
You'll be able to indicate your interest in a scholarship on your application. This information will not be shared with our selection team, and will not impact our decision regarding your application.
When will I know if I've received a scholarship?
You will hear about your acceptance to the institute and your scholarship status simultaneously — by April 11, 2025.
Additional support
Who can I contact with questions?
Please reach out to us at [email protected], or give us a call at (212) 678-3161.
Will I receive confirmation when my application is submitted?
Yes — you'll receive an email confirmation that will include a copy of everything you submitted. It will be sent to the email address used in your application.
