Experienced Teachers Institute

The Experienced Teachers Institute (ETI) provides an opportunity for teachers with over 10 years in the field to spend time with seasoned colleagues reflecting on their schools, their teaching, and their career paths, putting attention on the stress caused by change. Participants enjoy a few comfortable days at The Mohonk Mountain House engaging in individual thought and reflection, examining current trends and topics in the field. They have the opportunity to meet with others in subject/grade level groups to discuss curricular issues and teaching strategies, and return to school with a design for a project, new approaches to familiar challenges, and a renewed outlook. Years later, participants say the ETI experience was a highlight of their professional development career!

The Experienced Teachers institute provides chances for experienced teachers to:

• reinvigorate our practice
• reconnect with why we teach
• join a cohort of experienced teachers
• give purposeful time to working on what’s next for us
• learn to lead as an experienced member of the community
• be together with other experienced teachers in a beautiful space to learn from each other while being coached on current trends and best practices in education

ETI Staff (2023-24)

Becky Blumenthal is in her 18th year as faculty at the Berkeley Carroll School, 16 as a Lower School Science Teacher, and now serving as the Lower School Dean of Faculty. Becky attributes her long-lasting enthusiasm for teaching in part to provocative professional learning experiences that have helped her to continuously grow as an educator. Becky recently completed the NYSAIS 2-year Emerging Leaders Institute, and over the last 10 years has led and co-led a range of professional learning opportunities, such as the NYSAIS Beginning Teachers Institute, workshops at National Science Teachers Association conferences and a long-running Critical Friends Groups at Berkeley Carroll. Becky very much enjoyed attending the Experienced Teachers Institute a number of years ago, and is excited to join the staff this year for the first time!

Javaid Khan currently serves as the Head of the Middle Division at Horace Mann School. Prior to his appointment, he was the Head of Upper School (Grades 5-8) at Bank Street School for Children. Previously, Javaid worked in various capacities at Poly Prep Country Day School in Brooklyn, including as an English Teacher, Basketball Coach, and the Director of Diversity. Javaid is the father of two and a proud alumnus of independent schools himself.

Dr. Kenny Graves is currently the Director of Upper School at Trevor Day School in NYC. Prior to this role, Kenny worked at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School for nine years in two different roles — six years as the Upper School Ethics and Technology Coordinator and three years as Director of Studies and Upper School Assistant Principal for Academic Life. Prior to his role at Fieldston, Kenny worked as an instructional coach in various NYC public schools and as an award-winning high school English teacher in public schools in Richmond, VA.