Summer Institute for Early Career Teachers

Summer Institute for Early Career Teachers

Program Overview

What if, in just two weeks, you could hone your teaching skills, become a more confident educator, build a network of amazing colleagues from around the world and return to your school ready to shine? You can.

Join teachers from around the world for two weeks in late June to explore teaching styles, educational philosophies, and issues facing independent schools. The Klingenstein Summer Institute (KSI) is a graduate level class of Columbia University's Teachers College. You'll learn from top Columbia University professors, master teachers and fellow educators in an atmosphere of intellectual rigor, self-reflective discovery and collegial support. 

Core Curriculum

Daily whole-group sessions cover current issues in education such as equity and inclusion and cognitive science. Curriculum groups meet daily with master teachers in their subject area to examine current standards and to develop curriculum and assessments that participants can use immediately.  Curriculum groups include Elementary Education, English, History, Modern and Classical Languages, Math, Science, Arts, and Experiential Education.

Connection and Fellowship

In 2021, the Klingenstein Summer Institute will be held virtually on Wednesday, July 7 through Wednesday, July 21. KSI has traditionally been an intensive residential program - a format which may still be unwise or unsafe this summer. Now well-versed in building community in online formats, the faculty of KSI will create opportunities for members of the cohort to connect and get to know one another outside of the curriculum group sessions. 

Credit and Credence

KSI participants receive a fully-funded fellowship for the program, which covers all tuition, fees, and boarding costs (when applicable). Upon successful completion of the program, they earn graduate credits from Teachers College, Columbia University. More importantly, they finish the program affirmed and inspired to continue teaching. Perhaps best said by an alumna:

The biggest take-away for me was getting re-energized about being a teacher. I came to the program after a tough year and was questioning whether this work was worth the effort. Within a few days of talking with my colleagues, working on curriculum and discussing diversity, I felt affirmed, uplifted and inspired. 

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Program Brochure