Ethical Creativity Institute

List of 11 frequently asked questions.

• What is Ethical Creativity?

  Ethical Creativity is the intersection of Jewish traditions and ethical frameworks, human-centered design, hands-on learning, and constructionist pedagogy. Ethical Creativity insists on interrogating the ethics of our pedagogy and practice as much as the outcomes and intentions of what we teach. Like all of us as educators and human beings, ethical creativity is also in a state of becoming.
  

• Who participates in the Ethical Creativity Institute?

  ECI is open to any practitioner in the field of early childhood education through 12th grade Jewish education: classroom teachers, school leaders, Hebrew and Judaic studies teachers, subject specialists, makerspace facilitators, and school librarians.

• Who teaches ECI?

  Teaching at ECI, much like as in 21st century classrooms, takes many forms. Our faculty features the ECI design team, program leads, facilitators, and alumni. In addition to administrators and faculty from The Brandeis School of San Francisco, past institutes have featured facilitators from the K12 Lab at the Stanford d.School, the Tinkering Studio at the Exploratorium, the Contemporary Jewish Museum, IDEO, the Teachers Guild, the Wonderful Idea Company, the Jewish Studio Project, design school x, Glide, Congregation Emanu-El, Congregation Beth Israel Judea, Or Shalom Jewish Community, the Little School, and BimBam.

• What does a typical day at ECI look like?

  The ECI day runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with morning, lunch, and afternoon breaks. Days are a mix of hands-on sessions, discussions, study, independent and collaborative work time, food, and fun. 

   

  Click here to see last year’s schedule.

   

• What's that about food?

  Food is central to building community. Delicious healthy breakfasts and lunches are provided each day, as well as coffee, tea, and drinks throughout the day. We will also try our best to accommodate any food preferences, restrictions, and allergies—please note this on your application, so that we can ensure you are well fed!

• This sounds pretty awesome, but how much does ECI cost?

  Tuition for ECI2020 is $500, payable upon acceptance. 
  This tuition fee covers all workshops and session materials, as well as breakfasts, snacks, coffee, and lunches on each day of our Institute.
  Note: ECI tuition does not include travel, transportation or lodging. If you have questions or challenges around tuition, please contact the ECI Leads at eci@sfbrandeis.org.

• How do I apply?

  Applications for our ECI2020 cohort are available here.

• What kind of Jewish experience or background do I need in order to take part?

  At ECI we welcome and encourage educators from all backgrounds and experiences to take part in our learning.

• What are cohort members’ responsibilities in regards to travel?

  Cohort members are responsible for getting themselves to and from the Brandeis campus at the start and end of each day. We will be taking off-site excursions and site visits, and will work with cohort members to ensure that they are able to get to these sites, either by carpool, ride-sharing or public transportation.

• Where do cohort members stay?

  San Francisco is an amazing city with lots of exciting places to explore, and we are lucky to be here. Our campus is located in the southwest corner of the city so, in addition to being accessible to downtown San Francisco via public transportation or ride-share, it is also very close Daly City, San Bruno, and Pacifica, each of which feature hotel and Airbnb possibilities within a 10-15 minute drive of the institute.

• These FAQs are great, but I have another question. How can I get in touch?

  You can feel free to email our program leads at eci@sfbrandeis.org with any other questions.