INTRODUCTION TO INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS

In coordination with our friends at CalWest​
Offered: July 13 – July 31, 2020
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed as an orientation for newly hired educators who are new to the independent school community. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the missions, cultures and learning environments of their school before arriving on campus. They will learn how they impact the classroom environment and explore ways to create a collaborative student-centered learning space.

Participants will explore current research and theories to answer questions including:
  • What skills do teachers need to succeed in independent schools?
  • How do you integrate yourself into the school’s culture, in and out of the classroom, while bringing your own perspective and skills to the process?
  • How do you maximize the learning experience for students and incorporate technology to achieve your goals?
  • What are differences and similarities when interacting with parents?
  • What are strategies to make your first year successful and help you avoid potential pitfalls?
COURSE FORMAT
During this program, participants will spend four hours on coursework for each unit and can set their own pace each week. At the end of the three-week course, teachers will have a clearer sense of what it means to work in an independent school and how to create a classroom atmosphere and curriculum to maximize the way a student learns.  Classes are conducted asynchronously, so there is no single time each week when participants are required to be online. Coursework and assignments for each unit open on Monday morning, and should be completed by the following Sunday evening. Participants will connect and collaborate with each other through several forms of interactive media, including short videos, and discussion boards.
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PARTICIPANT FEEDBACK
98% of participants said that they would recommend this course to a colleague
97% of participants said that course content met objectives set for the course
100% of participants said that they received helpful feedback and support from facilitators
​“I loved the insights from independent school teachers and the opportunity to identify and do personal self-reflection on each section.” –Teacher from California
 
“Even if you think you know independent schools, it's still worth taking this course.” –Teacher from California
MEET THE FACILITATOR
Peter Gow, Independent Curriculum Resource Director at One Schoolhouse, is the course facilitator. Previously, the Executive Director of the Independent Curriculum Group, he worked to build connections and support schools of all kind. Peter has published widely and presented on a range of topics related to curriculum, professional development, and school improvement, and he is the author of An Admirable Faculty (NAIS, 2005), The Intentional Teacher (Avocus, 2009), and What Is A School? (Publish Green, 2011). He is a founder of the #PubPriBridge movement, fostering connection between public and private schools. His co-facilitator for the course is Brad Rathgeber, Head of School of One Schoolhouse, a veteran teacher, and administrator in independent schools.
UNIT PLAN
  • Unit 0 - All participants start with an online learning orientation. The primary purpose of this unit is to introduce participants to their course facilitator(s) and classmates. The orientation includes information about how to navigate the learning platform, features of the course, and guidelines for discussions and interactions. 
  • Unit 1 - The objective of the first week is to give grounding for course participants in independent school education. The unit begins with the biggest of pictures: becoming familiar with the definition, structure, governance, and culture of independent schools. 
  • Unit 2 - Participants dive in to the classroom and learn about common strategies employed in classrooms for building curriculum, engaging students and for assessments. 
  • Unit 3 - Participants consider the other really big part of your life as an independent school teacher: what goes on outside the classroom. 
TUITION
$445.00 for consortium participants and $575.00 for all other participants. For more information on our tuition and policies, please click here.

Q​uestions?

Course Facilitator: Peter Gow