New York City’s unique summer energy has captivated our community, on 120th Street and across the five boroughs. From local adventures to celebrating important milestones and our continued work on campus, here's just a glimpse of what we've been up to this season on TC Way.

Learning Together at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Teachers College alumni visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art to explore the ongoing Harlem Renaissance exhibit and learn more about featured artists Charles Alston (M.A. ’31) and Aaron Douglas (M.A. ’44). Alumni also participated in an art workshop, in which they connected with one another, and learned more about art history and expression.

Celebrating Summer Fun

Cue the festivities! Students living on campus watched the annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks show, the nation’s largest fireworks spectacular, over the Hudson River in an outing hosted by TC’s Office of Residential Services.

Bringing Indigenous History to Life

In June, educators convened at the College for a poster session and panel discussion on the open-access K-12 curriculum on the Lenape people, developed by TC’s Rachel Talbert and students in partnership with the Lenape Center. Talbert and Lenape Center colleagues Curtis Zunigha, Joe Baker and Hadrien Coumans discussed the need for the culturally relevant curriculum, and their approach to uplifting the experiences of the Lenape people throughout history and today. 

Rachel Talbert, Curtis Zunigha, Joe Baker and Hadrien Coumans

Rachel Talbert, Joe Baker, Curtis Zunigha and Hadrien Coumans. (Photos: TC Archives and Lenape Center) 

Growing the TC Community

Embarking on the next chapter of their lives, students from across the globe began their studies during the College’s summer semester and joined a community of students, faculty and alumni driving true change. 

Celebrating the Grace Dodge Society

At their annual luncheon, more than 100 of the College’s steadfast supporters and TC’s Grace Dodge Society members gathered to mark another year of impact and honor Trustee Emerita Joyce Berger Cowin. Board Chair Leslie Morse Nelson delivered impactful remarks and a video tribute to Cowin, sharing, “We are all filled with gratitude for the many ways that you have made Teachers College a better place.”

gds_luncheon_24_gilbert_220

President Thomas Bailey, Trustee Emerita Joyce Berger Cowin, Board Chair Emeritus William D. Rueckert and Board Chair Leslie Morse Nelson. (Photo: Bruce Gilbert)

Honoring Juneteenth

Across a Juneteenth 5K, holiday barbecue, local film screening and other events across NYC, TC community members came together to commemorate Freedom Day. 

Juneteenth 5k

TC community members at the Juneteenth 5k. 

Marking Employee Milestones

More than 55 staff members celebrated significant anniversaries of employment at the College during TC’s annual Long-Term Recognition Ceremony. “What makes Teachers College so unique and special are the staff members who bring our culture to life every day,” President Thomas Bailey said. “Recognizing so many milestone years of service gives all of us the opportunity to consider and celebrate the contributions each of you has made to our community and to our mission.” 

Igniting Creative Dialogue

Showcasing artistic works from across the Teachers College community, Macy Gallery continues another season sparking inspiration and cultural exchange, most recently with “Don’t Act Like You Don’t Know The Name,” a multimedia exhibit featuring artists from the Smoke School of Art Collective and curated by doctoral student Carina Maye. The gallery’s upcoming show, running from July 22 through August 8, will feature student works from the 2024 Art & Art Education Hybrid Studio Practice. 

3 paintings together

Three separate works in the show curated by doctoral student Carina Maye. (Photos courtesy of Maye)

Exploring Culture Together

Embracing all New York City has to offer defines summer, especially for our students, who ventured to Museum Mile in a special outing organized by the Office of Graduate Student Life and Development. At the Africa Center, students visited a new exhibit focused on African identity and historical memory, as well as a special performance of West African music.