NYSAIS Beginning Teachers Institute

The Beginning Teacher Institute (BTI) is designed for first- or second-year teachers and assistant teachers. 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 2024-25, 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 through February.

Register Here! – Registration is open

Dates

Full-day in-person sessions:

• Friday, October 18, 2024 – 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 25, 2025 – Closing Day, in-person meeting at TBD, 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.:

• • Early November 2024 – *Optional session – How to upload your lesson video / Questions about videos
  • Monday, November 18, 2024, 4:30 – 6:00 pm virtual – home group check-in, choice session + video lessons
  • Monday, December 16, 2024 – 4:30-6:00 pm virtual – home group check-in, choice session + video lessons
  • Monday, January 13, 2025 – 4:30-6:00 pm virtual – home group check-in, choice session + video lessons
  • Monday, February 24, 2025, 4:30 – 6:00 pm virtual – home group check-in, choice session + video lessons

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: $700
• Non-members: $800

Staff in 2024-25

Kyle Anderson 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.

Alexus Bertrand is enjoying his 23rd year being an educator. He has spent most of his time in math education, curriculum & leadership development and equity work. Alexus is currently the Assistant Director of Equity & Inclusion (7-12) at the Trinity School

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 has been an educator for 23 years. He is entering his 4th year as the Director of Equity and Community Engagement at The Brearley School.

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!

Dori Haber (she/her) is currently a Lower School Learning Support teacher at City and Country School, teaching reading to first and second graders. Previously, she spent eight years teaching second grade, incorporating mindfulness, collaborative learning, and antiracist practices in the classroom. She is currently a part of the organizing team for the White Antiracist Educators (WARE) group for Independent Schools in NYC and the White Anti-Racist Affinity Group at City and Country.

Rachel Mazor teaches high school literature at Grace Church School; prior to coming to Grace, she worked at Abraham Joshua Heschel, a Jewish day school, and was the chair of the English department at the Brooklyn Friends School. In addition to her duties as a teacher, she has served as a clerk and facilitator of Jewish affinity groups for students in the middle and upper school, faculty and staff, and parents at Grace Church and at Brooklyn Friends School. In past years, she has led full-day NYSAIS workshops on using document-based questions, as well as presenting at several NYSAIS Department Chairs’ and Diversity Conferences, and she now serves on the staff of the Beginning Teachers’ Institute.

Sarah Luposello is the Assistant Head of Lower School at the Hewitt School. With over a decade of experience in independent schools, she has worked as a learning specialist, head teacher, ally-space facilitator, curriculum coordinator and instructional coach.

Suzanne Oster – Suzanne is entering her 15th year in education this fall, having worked in public, charter and independent schools during that time. She is currently the 7th & 8th Grade Math Teacher, as well as the 7th & 8th Grade Class Dean at The Cathedral School of St. John the Divine. When she is not in the classroom, Suzanne is an avid runner and traveler, loves to cook, and tries to watch all of the Oscar nominated movies each year. She is the middle of three girls and has four nieces who live in Nashville, TN. Suzanne is excited to be a part of the BTI faculty and looks forward to working with everyone this year!

Mark Silberberg – Mark Silberberg is the Director of Admissions and Outreach at The Lang School. Previously, he has served as the Middle School Principal and the Director of Learning & Innovation at Little Red Schoolhouse Elisabeth Irwin High School (LREI).