Embracing Our Differences provides a variety of educator workshops throughout the school year with professional development credits available to participants. Here's what past workshop participants have to say:
"Thank you for making us feel so special and loved."
Elementary School Educator"I feel inspired again as an artist and as a teacher."
High School Educator"So many ideas are flowing from this training and I so would like more courses like this. THANK YOU!"
Middle School Educator"Across my 15 years in education, my interactions with EOD have proved to be some of the most meaningful experiences in my career. I am so thankful you exist for our students, staff, and community."
School Administrator
Date and TimeSaturday, September 12
9 AM - 4 PM
Light Breakfast and Full Lunch Provided
Location announced soon!
Please click on the link below.
From Curiosity to Creation: Inspiring Deep Artmaking and Inclusive Classrooms is a one-day educator intensive for visual art and creative writing educators seeking practical tools to spark deeper student thinking and meaningful creative work. Grounded in Embracing Our Differences’ values of kindness, inclusion, and respect, this hands-on experience explores curiosity as the catalyst for original, concept-driven artmaking. Participants will engage in inquiry-based strategies, studio-style activities, and reflective dialogue to support competition-ready student work while fostering inclusive classrooms where curiosity, empathy, and student voice thrive.
Those selected to participate are asked to engage their students in creating and submitting original artworks for the 2027 Exhibit (submission deadline - July 1, 2026). sometime during the 2025-2026 school year.
This workshop is geared toward pre-K through 12th grade visual art educators from Charlotte, Manatee, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties.
Sarasota County Schools public and charter teachers - please note, per SCS policy:
- You can receive a PD Stipend from EOD if you plan to apply your 8 PD hrs. towards professional development credit.
- You cannot receive a PD Stipend from EOD if you plan to apply your 8 PD hrs. towards salary credit.
- Your choice does not effect EOD's ability to provide Childcare Support Supplement support when applicable.
2026 Intensive Schedule, and presenters coming soon!
This workshop is presented in partnership with the Sarasota Art Museum
For more information, please contact:
Patrick Arthur Jackson | VP, Learning & Engagement
941-404-5710
EMAIL
| Fall 2025 Gatherings | Winter/Spring 2026 Gatherings |
| Thursday, Oct. 9 from 5:30-7:30PM In-Person | Dinner Provided |
Tuesday, Feb. 4 from 5:30-7:30PM In-Person | Dinner Provided |
| Thursday, Nov. 6 from 5:30-7:30PM In-Person | Dinner Provided |
Thursday, March 5 from 5:30-7:00PM Virtual |
| Thursday, Dec. 11 from 5:30-7:30PM In-Person | Dinner Provided |
Thursday, April 23 from 5:30-7:00PM Virtual |
In-Person and Virtual gatherings.
In-Person gatherings will take place at EOD's Offices located across the street from Sarasota High School near the corner of Bahia Vista St. and US 41/Tamiami Trail in Sarasota.
Space is limited, and past participants must re-apply if they would like to be considered for the 2025/2026 cohort.
Please click on the link below. Applications are now CLOSED
At the heart of Embracing Our Differences is a belief that inclusive learning environments create stronger, kinder, and more connected communities. The Education Ambassador Program is a year-long, district-supported leadership initiative designed to equip and empower educators, administrators, and school-based professionals to become catalysts for inclusion, kindness, and respect in their schools.
Ambassadors serve as thought partners and action leaders—embedding EOD’s mission and values into school culture through creative, standards-aligned projects that amplify student voice, elevate underrepresented narratives, and foster inclusive learning environments.
Educators, administrators and professional staff will participate in a year-long program focused on fostering inclusion, kindness, and respect within learning communities in innovative ways.
Through this program, participants become the EOD "experts" at their schools and work toward creating more inclusive and respectful school cultures by designing and facilitating their own EOD-inspired project (past participants are not allowed to remount previous projects). Reimbursement Grants up to $300.00 will be offered to support project costs.
Professional development gatherings will be focused on exploring and brainstorming topics connected to the themes of inclusion, kindness, and respect. Gatherings will be a mix of in-person and virtual; see dates above for a full overview.
This program is open to Pre-K through 12th Grade public/private/charter educators, administrators and professional staff from Charlotte, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties in all subject areas.
This dynamic leadership program fosters a network of educators who:
Collaborate and Innovate: Participate in a professional learning cohort that engages with local community organizations, museums, and cultural partners. Educators will explore innovative strategies for integrating the arts across curricula, develop inclusive classroom practices rooted in EOD’s core values, and share best practices that elevate student voice, foster empathy, and build bridges across differences. These cohorts serve as incubators for interdisciplinary collaboration, restorative approaches, and creative curriculum design that reflects all types of learners.
Lead and Inspire: Design and implement an original, EOD-inspired school-based initiative that promotes inclusion, kindness, and respect. Ambassadors are encouraged to think boldly—whether through student-led art installations, empathy-building campaigns, or cross-grade dialogue projects. Each initiative should reflect the unique needs of the school community and offer opportunities for student agency and collaboration. To support implementation, Ambassadors are eligible for reimbursement grants of up to $300 and will receive ongoing mentorship and feedback throughout the school year.
Champion Community and Belonging: Serve as an EOD liaison within your school, actively promoting organization-wide initiatives such as Reading Days, Coexistence Clubs, Unity Day, and exhibition field trips. Ambassadors will act as trusted resource guides, helping colleagues access inclusive curriculum tools, modeling strategies for culturally responsive teaching, and supporting school-wide efforts to build safe, welcoming spaces for all learners. As ambassadors of inclusion, participants will help strengthen district-wide networks committed to upstanding values and community in education.
Participants will receive PD Credit for all virtual and in-person gatherings in addition to a $500.00 PD Stipend in May 2026 upon successful program completion.
Sarasota County Schools public and charter teachers - please note, per SCS policy:
- You can receive a PD Stipend from EOD if you plan to apply your PD hrs. towards professional development credit.
- You cannot receive a PD Stipend from EOD if you plan to apply your PD hrs. towards salary credit.
"I found the spirit of camaraderie and kindness really helped bring this group together. I thought we had some stellar guest speakers this year and their areas of learning were very timely for this year’s needs."
- High School Administrator
"I loved the variety of topics that were presented each month, with information that was useful both personally and professionally."
- Middle School Educator
"I love how the EOD-inspired project portion of this program made students come together for a cause that made others feel good about themselves. Whether making the cards, distributing, or writing-that was the theme."
- Elementary School Educator
Program participants are asked to design and facilitate their own EOD-inspired project (past participants are allowed to remount previous projects), with grants up to $300.00 to support project costs. Here are some examples of past projects:
| Tornado Thursdays North Port High School |
School Pride Mural Sarasota Middle School |
Hoʻomanawanui and kaʻokoʻa - Tolerance through cultural studies Palma Sola Elementary |
Everyone Smiles in the Same Language Tuttle Elementary |
The Education Ambassador program is presented in partnership with the Curriculum and Instruction Departments of the School District of Manatee County and Sarasota County Schools
For more information, please contact:
Patrick Arthur Jackson, VP of Learning & Engagement
941-404-5710
EMAIL
Manatee County
1. Register for Course #12833 via the MyPGS online learning platform
2. Watch online course (2 to 3 hours - complete at your own pace)
3. Complete the assignment sheet while watching
4. Save your assignment sheet as a PDF and email to [email protected]
Sarasota County
1. Watch online course (2 to 3 hours - complete at your own pace)
2. Complete the assignment sheet while watching
3. Save your assignment sheet as a PDF and email to [email protected]
4. Course registration is not required (for reference, the course number is 8050)
All Other Counties & School Districts
1. Watch online course (2 to 3 hours - complete at your own pace)
2. Complete the assignment sheet while watching
3. Save your assignment sheet as a PDF and email to [email protected]
4. Embracing Our Differences is happy to provide you with a certificate of completion.
Earn 3 Professional Development credits via an online course that prepares you to utilize the Reading Art lesson with your students!
Created by Jessica DiLorenzo and Inspired by Melanie Rick's Reading Art Across the Curriculum and Visual Thinking Strategies, the EOD Reading Art lesson provides the framework and tools to explore EOD artwork using evidence-based, critical thinking strategies.
All assignment sheets must be received before April 30, 2025 to receive credit.
For more information, please contact:
Patrick Arthur Jackson, VP, Learning & Engagement
941-404-5710
EMAIL
