2026 Institute for New Teachers -- Public to Private

Institute for New Teachers: Public to Private is an online asynchronous professional onboarding course for educators transitioning from public school districts to the independent school sector. The program provides a structural and cultural road map.

Who Should Enroll?
This course is designed for those with at least three years of teaching experience in a public or charter school setting.

Learning Modules
Participants explore the unique experience, governance, collaborative norms, and family partnership models that define the independent school experience through the five learning modules described below.

Module 1: Orientation to the Independent School Landscape
This module introduces the foundational differences between public and independent school sectors. Topics include the role of tuition and philanthropy, the function of a self-perpetuating board, and the "Mission as North Star." Educators learn to translate their previous professional experiences into the specific vocabulary and institutional requirements of their new schools.

Module 2: Governance, Culture, and Institutional Health
Participants examine the internal ecosystem of the independent school, focusing on the culture governance model and the "all-in" professional philosophy. The module covers the importance of unwritten cultural norms, the grounding purpose of school traditions, and the maintenance of professional boundaries within a close-knit community.

Module 3: Professional Agency and the Collaborative Culture
This module explores the shift from classroom-centered teaching to a transparent, collaborative faculty culture. Key concepts include "Professional Agency" (instructional latitude vs. autonomy), the "Portrait of a Graduate" framework for interdisciplinary planning, and the transition to growth-oriented feedback models. It also covers the implementation of school-specific student learning plans.

Module 4: The Partnership Mindset: Families, Communication, and Whole-Child Support
This module addresses the teacher-family relationship through the lens of engagement over involvement. Educators learn specific communication protocols, including the 24-hour acknowledgment rule and proactive outreach strategies. The module also covers the Advisory role, defining the boundaries and responsibilities of student advocacy and whole-child support.

Module 5: Final Thoughts and Professional Sustainability
The course concludes with a focus on the long-term professional arc. Participants develop a realistic timeline for adjustment, recognizing the multi-year process of finding one's footing. Topics include "job embeddedness" through peer connections, proactive self-advocacy with supervisors, and establishing a personal plan for mission-driven reflection to ensure long-term retention and satisfaction.

Time Commitment
Participants should allow approximately 14-16 clock hours to complete the course.

Certificate of Completion
Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate showing 15 hours of professional development. The certificate will be sent via email and the supervisor will be copied. Those who do not complete the course will not receive a certificate.