(July 2, 2025) The 2025 Rochester City School District Teacher Summit, held June 30 and July 1 at James Monroe High School, brought educators together for a dynamic two-day professional learning experience. Led by the Office of Professional Learning and facilitated primarily by teachers, the summit embraced the theme, “For the Teachers, By the Teachers.” With a full schedule of workshops, breakout sessions, and keynote addresses, the event centered on practical strategies, equity, and inclusion to support student success throughout the District.
The summit opened on Monday, June 30, with a keynote address from Kesha James, a licensed marriage and family therapist, educator, and leadership coach with over 18 years of experience helping schools build safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environments. James shared her personal story, shaped by the power of being seen, heard, and uplifted by an adult who recognized her potential. She urged educators to truly understand the students in front of them and, when necessary, go above and beyond to meet their needs, emphasizing that such care can unlock a child’s path to success.
On Tuesday, July 1, the District’s new Superintendent, Dr. Eric Jay Rosser, marked his first official day by attending the summit to show his support for educators and highlight the District’s commitment to instructional excellence and student-centered growth.
That same day, keynote speaker Dr. Tyana Velazquez-Smith, CEO and Founder of Sensational Inclusion, delivered a powerful address urging educators to reimagine learning environments. Drawing from her personal experiences as a neurodivergent learner, she recalled a painful moment in childhood when a frustrated teacher asked, “Are you stupid?” She spoke not only of the sting of that moment, but also of the deeper hurt of feeling invisible in a system that neither reflected her identity nor valued her potential. Despite these challenges, she graduated high school with honors. It wasn’t until she was 28 that she was diagnosed with autism, a revelation that helped her make sense of the overwhelming difficulties she had faced in school and the constant feeling of “playing catch-up.”
Educators left the summit inspired and energized, already reflecting on how they will bring new strategies and perspectives into the school year ahead. Many praised the peer-led sessions, noting how impactful it was to learn from fellow educators and how motivating it felt to be part of such a meaningful, teacher-driven experience.
