A Day of Shared Learning: The EdSummit at The Community for Learning

By: Carla Meyrink 
The Community for Learning    

At The Community for Learning, we believe deeply in the power of educators learning from one another. Our classroom doors are always open for peer observations, and every week during our professional development sessions, teachers share insights, strategies, and questions that spark growth across our school. We also understand the transformative energy of educational conferences—the chance to share ideas, connect with other passionate educators, and return to the classroom recharged. But for most teachers in the Dominican Republic, attending international conferences is simply out of reach. Flights, hotels, and registration fees add up quickly, making those experiences inaccessible for many.

So, we decided to bring the spirit of a conference home by creating our own EdSummit—an “unconference” designed for teachers, by teachers. Our goal was to provide an inspiring, low-cost space for professional learning, connection, and exchange. With a minimal fee of just $50 to cover food and materials, we hoped to make it accessible to as many educators as possible.What made EdSummit different was its format: the agenda was created on the spot by the participants. At the start of the day, we invited teachers to jot down questions or topics they wanted to explore on post-it notes. From those ideas, we co-created a schedule of “conversation rooms,” where educators could gather to discuss shared interests and challenges. Topics included everything from integrating SEL into the curriculum to the role of AI in the classroom, from understanding the emotional life of adolescents to building executive function skills.

We also included a series of hands-on workshops, led by teachers who wanted to share innovative practices they’ve been trying in their classrooms. These sessions focused on themes like:

• Interactive learning walls
• Empowering students through self-evaluation
• Play-based learning
• The power of deeper-thinking questions

All workshops modeled the kind of teaching we believe in—interactive, reflective, movement-based, and full of participant voice.

One of our favorite spaces was the AI Tasting Room—a hands-on hub where teachers could explore a variety of AI tools designed to spark deeper thinking in students. We curated eight thoughtful tools, paired with a list of classroom strategies for promoting intellectual exploration. Teachers could drop in during breaks to play and experiment, but for those who couldn’t make it, we shared a QR code linking to a digital folder they could revisit anytime.

We hoped for 60–80 participants. On the day of the EdSummit, more than 100 educators from across the country arrived—filling the rooms with energy, curiosity, and a genuine desire to learn. The vibe was warm, welcoming, and electric! Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with a few helpful suggestions for next time. But the most common takeaway?
"Let’s do this again next year!"
And we absolutely will.