UCDS Schools Graduate School

UCDS Institute

Professional Development

Enhance Your Professional Practice

At the core of the UCDS Mission is a desire to support lifelong learners, including and especially, teachers. Through the UCDS Institute, our faculty collaborate to build dynamic, original curricular content to share with colleagues throughout the world.

Designed for Your Schedule

Virtual Learning Modules

ImmersiFIRE is an online, multimedia professional development platform created to support and grow a professional learning community in search of innovative teaching practices.

Grow Your Teaching Toolkit

Continuing Education Courses

The UCDS Institute hosts a range of events, courses, and educational workshops throughout the year–from one-off evening seminars and speaker events to intensive, credit-bearing courses. Our expert faculty design workshops and courses to be fun, informative, and practical.

Meaningful, Hands-On Professional Development

The UCDS Institute hosts a variety of events, courses, and educational workshops throughout the year. Our offerings range from one-off evening seminars and speaker events to intensive, credit-bearing courses.

By Teachers For Teachers

Our faculty instructors design workshops so that the techniques explored will work in conjunction with your existing curricula. Our expert faculty designs workshops and courses to be informative, hands-on, and most of all, fun!

Contact us (institute@ucds.org)

Resource Hub

Tools for Educators

Graduate School of Education

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Happy 2026! Around the world, people welcome the n Happy 2026! Around the world, people welcome the new year with traditions that reflect hope, renewal, and connection. For many countries, the change from 2025 to 2026 follows the Gregorian calendar, which is widely used internationally. Many cultures use fireworks or noise to chase away bad spirits, while others focus on cleaning homes or sharing special meals to begin fresh. Some traditions center on community gatherings, while others are quiet and reflective. Together, these customs help people mark time, let go of the old year, and step into the new one with intention and optimism. Emma Erdman-Taylor, the Science Specialist at our founding school @ucds_seattle, would like to share a New Year’s ritual that she’s kept over the years: "My mom introduced me to the tradition of a bowl burning ceremony for New Year's Eve when I was in elementary school. I kept the tradition going when I left home and still do it with whoever I spend the Eve with, whether it's family, friends, or just myself. I write down a list of things that I want to leave behind in the old year: feelings, items, bad habits, etc. We usually burn them in a metal singing bowl or use special flying paper that shoots up when it's lit on fire. Some years, we’ve done a big bonfire for family and friends, and during my college years, I took a scented candle outside my dorm (truly some desperate times). My mom believes that the fire cleanses to make way for new things, but I just think it feels like a good metaphor for letting go!" . . . . . . #seattle #newyear #teacher

Happy Boxing Day! Boxing Day is observed on Decemb Happy Boxing Day! Boxing Day is observed on December 26th in the United Kingdom, Canada, and other countries with ties to British history. The name comes from the tradition of giving "Christmas boxes," which were boxes filled with gifts, food, or money that were shared with people who worked in homes and with people in need. Over time, Boxing Day has become a day focused on generosity, rest, and community. Many people celebrate by spending time with family, enjoying leftover holiday meals, watching sports, shopping at sales, or giving to charities. For those who celebrate, Boxing Day is a meaningful reminder of caring for others, showing gratitude, and supporting community well-being after the busy holiday season. This year on social media, we continue our tradition of spotlighting cultural and religious celebrations important to members of our UCDS community. By learning together, we strengthen appreciation for the diverse identities, stories, and traditions that make our community vibrant. . . . . . . #seattle #teacher #education

Happy Kwanzaa to all who celebrate! Kwanzaa is a w Happy Kwanzaa to all who celebrate! Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration honoring African American culture, history, and community, observed from December 26th to January 1st. It was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga during the Civil Rights Movement as a way for African Americans to reconnect with African traditions and celebrate shared values. Each day of Kwanzaa focuses on one of the Nguzo Saba, or Seven Principles, which include unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Families celebrate by lighting candles on a special candle holder called a kinara, sharing meals, telling stories, making music, and reflecting together. Decorations often include African cloth, art, and symbols of harvest and creativity. For those who celebrate, Kwanzaa is a meaningful time to honor ancestors, strengthen community bonds, and reflect on how these principles can guide daily life throughout the year. This year on social media, we continue our tradition of spotlighting cultural and religious celebrations important to members of our UCDS community. By learning together, we strengthen appreciation for the diverse identities, stories, and traditions that make our community vibrant. . . . . . . #ucdsgse #seattle #kwanzaa #teaching

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! Christmas is Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! Christmas is celebrated every year on December 25th and honors the birth of Jesus Christ, a central figure in Christianity, while also being observed in many secular ways around the world. The holiday has been celebrated for centuries and blends religious meaning with cultural traditions. For Christians, Christmas is a sacred time focused on love, hope, and giving, often marked by church services and the Nativity story. Many families—religious and secular—celebrate by decorating Christmas trees, exchanging gifts, singing carols, baking treats, and enjoying festive music and movies. Homes are often filled with lights, wreaths, and decorations that create warmth and cheer. For people who celebrate, Christmas is a meaningful time to gather with loved ones, practice generosity, and reflect on kindness, connection, and joy during the winter season. This year on social media, we continue our tradition of spotlighting cultural and religious celebrations important to members of our UCDS community. By learning together, we strengthen appreciation for the diverse identities, stories, and traditions that make our community vibrant. . . . . . . #seattle #teacher #merrychristmas🎄

Happy Yaldā to all who celebrate! Yaldā Night, als Happy Yaldā to all who celebrate! Yaldā Night, also known as Shab-e Yaldā, is a Persian holiday celebrated by people in Iran and across parts of Central and South Asia to mark the longest night of the year, the winter solstice. With roots stretching back thousands of years to ancient Persian traditions, Yaldā honors the return of longer days and the triumph of light over darkness. On this day, families and friends gather late into the night to share food, stories, and poetry. Traditional foods include pomegranates and watermelon, symbols of health, life, and renewal. Many families read poetry by the beloved poet Hafez, often using his verses for reflection or gentle fortune-telling. For those who celebrate, Yaldā is a time to pause, connect across generations, and find warmth and joy during the darkest part of the year. It is a meaningful reminder of resilience, hope, and the power of togetherness. This year on social media, we continue our tradition of spotlighting cultural and religious celebrations important to members of our UCDS community. By learning together, we strengthen appreciation for the diverse identities, stories, and traditions that make our community vibrant. . . . . . . #ucdsseattle #ucdsalum #ucdsgse #nwais #psis #parentmap #peps #pnwfamily #pnwkids #rainierscholars #northseattle #seattle #familiesofcolorseattle #seattledad #seattlemom #seattleparents #seattlepreschool #seattlefamily #seattleindependentschool #seattlekids #yalda #family #pnw #pnwlife

Happy Simbang Gabi to all who celebrate! Beginning Happy Simbang Gabi to all who celebrate! Beginning tonight, Simbang Gabi, or "Night Mass," is a nine-night devotional tradition leading up to Christmas, most commonly observed by Filipino Catholics. The tradition began during Spanish colonial times in the Philippines, when early morning Masses—often held before sunrise—allowed farmers to attend before heading to the fields. Today, Simbang Gabi is a joyful mix of faith, culture, and community. Families attend Mass together, and children often participate by singing, helping with readings, or simply sharing in the routine of waking early or gathering in the evening. A beloved tradition is enjoying Filipino treats afterward, such as bibingka and puto bumbóng, which makes the experience especially memorable for kids. For Filipino families living in the United States, Simbang Gabi is a meaningful way to stay connected to heritage, pass traditions to the next generation, and gather with community during the busy holiday season. This year on social media, we continue our tradition of spotlighting cultural and religious celebrations important to members of our UCDS community. By learning together, we strengthen appreciation for the diverse identities, stories, and traditions that make our community vibrant. . . . . . . #seattle #education #teacher

Please help us spread the word about the 2026 Dive Please help us spread the word about the 2026 Diversity Career Fairs hosted by @pocisnorthwest! We will be there to share about our Teaching Fellowship and M.Ed. programs, as well as faculty and staff positions at our founding school @ucds_seattle. Info and free registration at our link in bio. People of color who are interested in working at independent schools are invited to attend the 2026 Diversity Career Fairs on Sunday, February 8, 2026, for the virtual fair and Saturday, February 28, 2026, for the in-person fair. These fairs are offered through the collaborative effort of 20+ regional schools. Attendees will hear from diversity practitioners about working in independent schools and learn about career opportunities in teaching, administrative, and staff positions. To register and find more information about the sessions and career fair booths, visit our link in bio. Registration is free of charge. . . . . . . #ucdsseattle #ucdsgse #diversitycareerfair #careerfair #equityineducation #representationmatters #teachersofcolor #bipocteachers #blackteachers #blackeducators #bipoceducators #education #teaching #beateacher #seattle #seattleteachers #nationaleducationassociation #nais #nwais #centralwashingtonuniversity #easternwashingtonuniversity #WWU #seattlepacificuniversity #evergreenstatecollege #piercecollege #seattleuniversity #universityofwashington #seattlecolleges #bellevuecollege

Happy Hanukkah to all who celebrate! Hanukkah, als Happy Hanukkah to all who celebrate! Hanukkah, also called the Festival of Lights, is an eight‐day Jewish holiday that honors the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem more than 2,000 years ago. After the Maccabees defeated the Seleucid Empire and reclaimed the temple, they found only enough consecrated oil to light the menorah for one day — yet miraculously it burned for eight nights, symbolizing hope, resilience, and spiritual light overcoming darkness. This year, Hanukkah begins tonight at sundown on December 14th and continues through nightfall on December 22th. Traditions include lighting the menorah (each night adding a candle until all eight are glowing), playing the spinning dreidel game, and enjoying foods cooked in oil like latkes and sufganiyot to honor the miracle of the oil. It’s also a time for singing traditional songs, exchanging gifts, giving to charity, and gathering with family and friends to celebrate Jewish culture and community during the winter season. This year on social media, we continue our tradition of spotlighting cultural and religious celebrations important to members of our UCDS community. By learning together, we strengthen appreciation for the diverse identities, stories, and traditions that make our community vibrant. . . . . . . #seattle #teacher #education

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