Independent Curriculum Archives

Webinars

Making and Managing Curricular Change at Christchurch - As a school that has crafted, implemented, and continuously revised a progressive, skills-based, integrated curriculum for all types of students, Christchurch has learned a lot about developing new curricula, implementing change, working with parents, faculty members and boards, and about the power of hiring to move school culture forward. 
Beyond Advanced Placement - Is Your School Ready? - Many independent schools are considering replacing Advanced Placement-designated courses with high-level coursework of their own design. Other schools have done this years ago. What are some prerequisites and best practices for making this move, and how can schools be assured that moving "beyond AP" will truly benefit their students and their institutions?
Shadowing Students - Your School's User Experience - Learn how Darlington School (GA) has used a comprehensive and highly intentional program of student shadowing to explore life at all levels, elementary through high school, and to understand how to better serve all students in every area.
Majoring in High School at Shattuck-St. Mary’s School - Students at Shattuck-St. Mary's School (MN) have the unique opportunity to develop their passions by joining a Center of Excellence. In conjunction with a rigorous college preparatory core academic program, students focus on an area interest in academics, athletics, or the arts, where they received instruction tailored to their individual development. 
Lessons From The Competition with Jonathan Martin - Jonathan Martin, lead researcher and author of the important SSATB report “Sizing Up the Competition” talks about his findings and why they are important to all schools as they contemplate new ways of teaching and organizing their total curricula. What can schools do to keep claiming their share of students and families seeking academic excellence, deeper and personalized learning, and online opportunities?
Building Your School's Faculty Recruiting Case - The author of NAIS’s An Admirable Faculty: Recruiting, Hiring, Training, and Retaining the Best Independent School Teachers offers tips for creating a serious case statement for recruiting and hiring mission-appropriate and culture-compatible teachers. Diversify your recruiting pool as you focus on the right people to deliver and develop your school’s independent curriculum.
Teacher Orientation and Induction, Doing it Right! - It takes more than a day to prepare a new teacher for your school’s culture and practices. The author of NAIS’s An Admirable Faculty: Recruiting, Hiring, Training, and Retaining the Best Independent School Teachers lays out a framework for making sure that your new teachers—whether new to the profession or veteran—hit the ground running from the first day of school. Presented by Peter Gow of the Independent Curriculum Group.
Nobis Project’s Social Justice Approach to Service-Learning and Global Citizenship​ -  This webinar presents the Nobis Big Ideas framework and other tools to nurture critical conversations between students and community-partners while engaging in service-learning projects. We end with an introduction to Nobis World, a summer professional development travel program for educators.
The BEST Teacher Handbook, Ever! -  Peter Gow will offer participants a framework for creating “The BEST Teacher Handbook, Ever!”—a resource for teachers and administrators to expedite the learning curve for teachers new to the school and to codify important aspects of your school’s culture and internal brand.
Teacher-Leaders and Technology Integration​ -  With a solid track record of supporting and inspiring faculty in an exemplary innovative school, Tech Integrationists, classroom teachers, and experienced presenters Melissa Alkire and Yolanda Wilcox-Gonzalez of Beaver Country Day School will share their insights on the elements of a successful teacher-leader model in achieving strategic and day-to-day goals in the use of technology as an educational tool.
Understanding the Learning Needs of the Twice-Exceptional at Conservatory Prep​ -  EdLuministic Learning, developed at Conservatory Prep Schools (FL), is a teaching method designed to meet the educational needs of the twice-exceptional student. Conservatory Prep director Dr. Wendy Weiner discusses the pedagogy and real-life experiences as well as practical tips to infuse into any classroom.
The Department Head Dilemma with Professor Phyllis Gimbel​​ -  Phyllis Gimbel of Bridgewater State University brings to bear her experiences as a former independent school teacher, department chair, and administrator and a professor of educational leadership to talk about the training and skills department chairs need and ways that administrators can effectively harness department chairs as an engaged and happy force in school improvement.
Hiring For A Diverse Faculty with Kip Bordelon of The Picardy Group​ - Kip Bordelon of The Picardy Group, whose services include teacher placement, consulting, and professional development, offers straight talk on why schools need to build diverse candidate pools for every teaching and administrative position.
Making Time for Students at Shattuck-St. Mary’s - At Shattuck-St. Mary’s School in MInnesota, a recently developed and highly innovative schedule creates time for an extensive blended learning program as well as allowing students to pursue in-depth Centers of Excellence in academics, the arts, and athletics. Presented
So You Want to Change Your School’s Schedule? ​ -  "The schedule must serve the curriculum," is a mantra that everyone has heard, and the pressure in schools for schedule change is growing. But the process of choosing or developing a new schedule and then implementing the change is fraught with anxiety-inducing elements and unforeseen complications. There are, however, some principles that school leaders should be aware of as they prepare to take the leap into the process, and ICG executive director Peter Gow lays these out and responds to questions to help participants anticipate potholes and roadblocks as they design a process designed to meet the curricular needs of each school.

Podcasts

Advancing Humanity at The Agnes Irwin School​ - Featured guest Mariandl Hufford, director of the Center for the Advancement of Girls at The Agnes Irwin School (PA), chats with host Peter Gow about her work, about advancing girls through research-driven programming, and about advancing all students.​
100+ Years of 21st-Century Learning at Charles River School​ - Featured guest Elizabeth Clayton, Assistant Head of School and a science teacher at Charles River School (MA), chats with host Peter Gow about the PreK–8 school’s work to sustain and develop the kinds of Progressive, constructivist practice that have been a hallmark of its program since 1911.
Connectivism in Practice at Trinity Valley School - Featured guest Larry Kahn, Chief Technology Officer at Trinity Valley School (TX), chats with host Peter Gow about ongoing work to engage students more deeply in their own learning experiences and about his own observations as a thought and practice leader in the independent school community. 
Conversation with Tim Fish of NAIS - Part 1 of our two-part conversation with Tim Fish, Chief Innovation Officer at the National Association of Independent Schools, on how this new position will be supporting schools in their efforts to learn and evolve.

Research Papers

Blog Posts