TEACHING & LEARNING INSTITUTE
August 5-6, 2025, The Steward School, Richmond
Our Teaching & Learning Institute provides an opportunity to build your research-driven teaching tool kit as you prepare for the year ahead. Faculty will engage in interactive sessions and workshops designed to strengthen and update your pedagogical skills. Come join us, individually or in teams, for two great days of learning, right here in Virginia, built around engaging speakers and sessions; context and culture of Virginia’s independent school environment; and plenty of time for peer collaboration.
Sessions will be offered within these Learning Tracks:
- Understanding Difficult Content
- Creating a Productive Environment
- Maximizing the Opportunity to Learn
- Activating Students’ Thinking
- Cultivating Your Professional Success
Who should register for this program?
Brand new teachers; teachers who are new to independent schools; experienced teachers who want to jump-start their preparations for the upcoming school year.
Click HERE to preview the 2025 Concurrent & Spotlight Sessions.
What did 2024 TLI participants have to say?
- “Outstanding practical and personal takeaways. I learned so many tools I can use in the classroom to make a difference with my students.”
- “Amazing to know that I will be working in an independent school community with passionate and excited educators.”
- “This event was really beneficial to everyone and will support my next moves at school this year.”
KEYNOTE: Unlocking Teacher Growth
C.J. Rauch, Head of Teaching & Learning, Evidence Based Education
What makes for effective professional learning? How can this learning fuel teachers’ professional success over the long term? In this keynote, we’ll move away from the “one and done” approach to professional learning and take a look at the optimal uses of teachers’ (limited) time for getting better. This Model for Great Teaching methodology focuses on these specific objectives:
- set specific goals to create a classroom where everyone’s voice is heard.
- build deeper understanding in areas that best impact your student learning.
- develop applicable skills through intentional modeling, instruction and rehearsal.
- embed everyday habits through cycles of practice, feedback and reflection.
Boundaries Training for New & Experienced Educators
Megan Mann, Founder, The Approach Group
Educators enter school communities as trusted professionals who invest deeply in relationships with students, colleagues, and families. However, as humans, we bring our own experiences, biases, and perspectives to our work—factors that can sometimes blur professional boundaries. Maintaining clear, healthy boundaries strengthens all our school relationships and protects both educators and those we serve. In this interactive workshop, we will:
- explore the gray areas that often arise in school settings;
- develop practical strategies for maintaining professional relationships;
- examine scenarios involving students, parents, and colleagues; and
- build confidence to handle ambiguous situations with clarity and professionalism.
In addition, this session will cover teachers’ mandatory reporting obligations under current Virginia state law.
REGISTRATION:
| Who? | Administrative Fee: |
| VAIS Members | $625 |
| Non – VAIS Members | $1250 |
We have arranged a room block at the nearby Hyatt House. Contact them at (804) 360-7021 or Hyatt House Richmond and use the code G-VAIS to access the nightly rate of $149.
The registration/refund deadline is July 28. Please reach out to A.J. Kohlhepp in the meantime with any questions or concerns.
MEET OUR SUPPORTERS
