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NYSAIS Beginning Teachers Institute

The Beginning Teacher Institute (BTI) is designed for first- or second-year teachers and assistant teachers, or teachers new to independent schools. The experience is highlighted by small group discussions led by a staff of experienced teachers and facilitators, along with videotaping of sample lessons by participants. In 2026-27, the institute will be held with an in-person full-day session at the start and the end of the institute, and after-school Zoom meetings in November, December, January, and February.

Register for BTI 2026-27

 

Dates

Full-day in-person sessions:

  • Friday, October 23, 2026 – Opening Day, in-person meeting at Ethical Culture, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., with an hour lunch break, and an optional evening event for participants to share appetizers/drinks at a local bar.
  • Friday, April 16, 2027 – Closing Day, in-person meeting at Trevor Day School, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., with an hour lunch break.

Monthly virtual sessions are on the following dates, from 4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.:

    • Monday, November 16, 2026, 4:30 – 6:00 pm – Virtual Day #1, Whole Group: Differentiation in the Classroom & choice session
    • Monday, December 14, 2026, 4:30 – 6:00 pm – Virtual Day #2, mentor check-in
    • Monday, January 11, 2027, 4:30 – 6:00 pm – Virtual Day #3, Whole Group: Video Lesson Mini Workshop, choice session
    • Monday, February 22, 2027, 4:30 – 6:00 pm – Virtual Day #4, mentor check-in

The program supports professional growth and development in three main areas:

  • The self (goals, personal growth)
  • The relationship to the school (parents, colleagues, Heads, and students)
  • The vocation of teaching (curriculum, classroom management)

Areas of focus of BTI include:

  • Parent Conferences
  • Classroom Management
  • Writing Comments and Grades
  • Setting Goals
  • Subject Area Discussions
  • Grade Level Discussions
  • Working with Students with Learning Differences
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • Current Issues in School Today

The staff of the Beginning Teachers Institute includes seasoned teachers and administrators who serve in leadership roles. Participation on the staff of the Beginning Teachers Institute includes occasional meetings for planning prior to the institute, as well as full participation and leadership during the institute. Those who would like more information and/or are interested in serving on the staff of one of our institutes should contact Worokya Duncan, Associate Director for Professional Learning.

 

Fees

  • Members: $780
  • Non-members: $880

Register for BTI 2026-27

 

Staff in 2026-27

 

Kyle Anderson headshot
Kyle Anderson, BTI co-leader, is the Lower School Computer Science Teacher and Makerspace Coordinator at the Trevor Day School. She has a wealth of experience in lower school classrooms, especially around incorporating diversity, equity and inclusion themes and differentiated curriculum for our youngest learners.

 

Kim Deveaux headshot
Kim Deveaux, BTI co-leader, has served nationally in schools as an educator, professional developer, and educational technologist. Currently, she is the Ethics and Technology Lead at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School. At ECFS she has been a member of the Innovation, Integration, Collaboration Committee team and STEAM team. When not working, Kim loves to bake and ice skate!

 

Abby Cohen headshot
Abby Cohen teaches Upper School English and World Literature at The Spence School and serves on the K-12 Equity Council. She has also taught in Spence’s Middle School, designing and teaching a Humanities curriculum for Grade 5 and serving as a Grade 8 Advisor. Prior to her work at Spence, Abby taught at The Browning School in NYC and at Suffield Academy, a boarding school in Connecticut.

 

Coy Dailey headshot
Coy Dailey has been an independent school educator for more than 20 years. He taught mathematics for 15 of these years before transitioning to an administrative role. He is entering his 5th year as the Director of Equity and Community Engagement at The Brearley School.

 

Brandon Guidry headshot
Brandon Guidry teaches 8th Grade US History at Trevor Day School. He has spent more than fifteen years in independent schools, including The Dalton School, Berkeley Carroll, and The American School in London. He has also held leadership roles as Assistant Director of Middle School at Brentwood School and as Middle School Equity & Inclusion Lead and AI Lead at Prospect Sierra School. His classroom work centers on “The Cipher”, a framework that uses animation as an entry point into historical inquiry.

 

Alicia Howard headshot
Alicia Howard is the Dean of Leadership at St. Luke’s School and an educator with over 20 years of teaching experience in independent schools. In her years of teaching, Alicia has worked with lower and upper school students in English, Humanities, Math, and Social Studies.

 

Saara Mahjouri headshot
Saara Mahjouri, Ph.D. is currently the Assistant Head of School at Grace Church School. She has worked in both independent and charter schools as a Learning Specialist and a Middle School Division Director.

 

Jennifer D. Tait headshot
Jennifer D. Tait is a Middle School Learning Specialist, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator and the Seventh Grade Dean at Trinity School, where she is particularly passionate about her work with student affinity groups.