Teaching the First Three Years Institute 2026-27 Registration (Philadelphia In-Person Program)

FACULTY:
Deb Borden - Director of Programs & Research, PAIS
Katie Aument - Lower School Math Coordinator, 2nd Grade Teacher, Germantown Friends School
Melody Acinapura - Lower School Principal, Friends’ Central School
Heather Taylor - Dean of Academics, Upper School English Teacher, Sanford School
Bill Lyon - Middle School Associate Head of School, The Shipley School
Joe Stanzione - Director of Lower School, Germantown Friends School

JOIN COHORT FIVE AND FOCUS ON YOUR PROFESSIONAL GROWTH IN:

Understanding Independent School Culture
 • Diversity-Equity-Inclusion-Justice-Belonging
 • Mission and values
 • Your impact on culture
Navigating student-parent-colleague relationships
 • Collaboration among school colleagues
 • Effectively communicating with parents
 • Classroom Culture & Managing Behavior
 • Engaging students
Developing one’s craft in the art and science of teaching
 • Curriculum design
 • Assessment strategies
 • Time management
 • Learning differences
Attending to self-care and professional growth opportunities
 • Identifying growth opportunities in and outside of a school
 • Self-care and mindfulness
 • Resource awareness

SCHEDULE:
Day 1: 12-5pm
Arrive: 11:45-12pm
12-12:40pm: Introductions & Team Building
12:40-1pm: FOCUS SELF Activity
1-2pm: Workshop 1 - Independent School Culture
2-3:10pm: Workshop 2 -Anti-Bias, Culturally Responsive, & Social Justice Education
3:10-3:20pm: BREAK
3:20-4:30pm: Workshop 3 - Classroom Culture
4:30-5pm: Field questions on Demo Lessons; Reflection

Day 2: 8:30am-3:45pm
8:30-9am: BREAKFAST
9-9:30am: FOCUS SELF ACTIVITY
9:30-10:30am: Workshop 4 -  How Students Learn
10:30-10:45am: BREAK
10:45-11:45am: Workshop 5 - Supporting Neurodiverse Students
11:45am-12pm: Discussion in Breakout Groups
12-12:45pm: LUNCH
12:45-3:45pm: DEMO LESSONS

Day 3: 8:30am-2:30pm
8:30-9am: BREAKFAST
9-9:30am: FOCUS SELF Activity
9:30am-12pm: Demo Lessons Part 2
12-12:30pm: LUNCH
12:30-1:45pm: Workshop 6 - Working with Families
1:45-2:30pm: Reflection and Survey