TIP Fellows Join National Seminars at Yale Summer Institute July 15, 2025 – Posted in: Uncategorized

Five Fellows from the Teachers Institute of Philadelphia (TIP) are currently in New Haven, Connecticut, participating in the Yale National Summer Institute. These dedicated educators are taking part in an intensive seminar experience, where they are developing original units of study to bring back to their Philadelphia classrooms. The TIP National Fellows (as pictured) and their Yale seminars are:

• Marla Colondres, Swenson Arts and Technology High School: “Graphic Narratives as Teaching Tools,” led by Marta Figlerowicz, Associate Professor of Comparative Literature
• Katherine Steiner, Academy at Palumbo: “Art, Design & Biology,” led by Timothy Barringer, Paul Mellon Professor in the History of Art
• Alima McKnight,  Richmond School: “Graphic Narratives as Teaching Tools,” led by Marta Figlerowicz, Associate Professor of Comparative Literature
• Anna Herman, The U School: “Teaching With and Through Maps,” led by Ayesha Ramachandran, Professor of Comparative Literature
• Danina Garcia, Vaux Big Picture High School: “Infectious Respiratory Diseases,” led by Jordan Peccia, Thomas E. Golden Jr. Professor of Environmental Engineering

These five educators are representing the School District of Philadelphia in a prestigious professional development program that brings together exemplary teachers from across the country including participants from Chicago, San Jose, Richmond, the Navajo Nation’s tribal lands of Northern Arizona, and others.  The Delaware and New Haven Teachers Institutes are also present, creating a rich environment for shared learning and cross-regional collaboration.

As part of the Institute’s programming, participants also attend lectures by Yale faculty. On July 9th, Professor Marta Figlerowicz presented Graphic Narratives as Teaching Tools.  On July 10th, Professor Jordan Peccia delivered a lecture on Infectious Respiratory Disease. Beyond the seminar rooms, TIP Fellows and leaders engaged with faculty and directors from teachersinstitutes nationwide, discussing best practices for launching, leading, and sustaining Institutes in their respective cities. Representing TIP in these strategic conversations were Director Edward Epstein and University of Pennsylvania Professors Carol Muller and Deven Patel.

In November all five Fellows, also active members of TIP’s Teachers Advisory Council, will return to New Haven for Yale’s Annual Conference to present their completed curriculum units. That event will bring together National Fellows, university faculty, and school administrators from across the U.S. to celebrate the power of teacher-led curriculum development.