“This was one of the best PD experiences I have attended. I was challenged in the best ways and celebrated, as well. It reenergized my passion for teaching.” - Laura Blanchet, University School of Milwaukee

ISEEN Summer Teacher Institute 2023
Experiential Education Pedagogy & Practice

The 2023 ISEEN Summer Institute has concluded.
Thank you to all the participants who made it such a special event! 

• Dates: Tuesday, June 20 to Saturday, June 24, 2023
• Professional Academic Cohorts for Upper and Middle School Faculty: Math, Science, History/Social Studies, English
• Elementary Education/Lower School Cohort (Interdisciplinary)
  
• Advanced Practitioners Cohort on Intensives and Immersives
  
• Final Date to Register: May 5, 2023 
  

About the Summer Institute 

The ISEEN Summer Teacher Institute fuses rigorous academic disciplines with deep thinking about the cognitive learning process through the experiential learning cycle. This professional development opportunity is for teachers who want to delve deeper into experiential education and reflective teaching practices while immersed in experiential and place-based activities on the front range of Colorado.  Whereas the ISEEN Winter Institute is an annual gathering for administrators to stay up to date with current thinking on experiential education practices and trends, the Summer Institute brings experiential education to the classroom in a practical, curriculum-based, and supportive environment led by master teacher facilitators from schools around North America.

Modeling a high quality experiential education program, the ISEEN Summer Institute is the premier and founding experiential education PD for teachers that focuses on elements of place, skills and knowledge development, curriculum design, assessment, and building community & belonging while reflecting and connecting with other attendees. The Institute is conducted in partnership with the Dawson School. It is truly a magical, transformative, and restorative experience through the incredible leadership of our team of facilitators.

	“This institute is PIVOTAL! If you want to uncover ways to better reach the students in your class, attend. If you want to learn how to unpack some of those higher concept lesson plans you have, attend! Lastly, if you’re just an Educator that is aware ‘something’ is missing on your campus I’m telling you, Attend!” Jyme Roundtree, The Emery Weiner School

2023 Academic Discipline Cohorts

Teachers enroll in one of the following academic discipline cohorts for upper and middle school faculty: Math Science History (Social Studies) English Elementary Education/Lower School (interdisciplinary)  Advanced Practitioners Cohort on Intensives and Immersives* *This cohort is new this year and is intended for educators that are planning or are currently responsible for implementing Immersive or Intensive (i.e. mini-mesters, May term, Discovery term) experiences at their schools.  Participants in this cohort will learn about best practices in planning and implementing these types of programs, as well as have time to develop or iterate on an existing curriculum.

What Participants Experience 

Place-Based Learning:  Throughout the week, participants will live and learn through experiential education lessons in practice through immersion within Colorado’s front range. They’ll participate in experiential education through the setting, and the opportunities we create to explore the history and geography of the region.

Curriculum Development: Through discipline-specific, small group workshop cohorts, participants will be given the time to develop and receive feedback on curriculum and assessments that can be put to immediate use in their classrooms. Led by experts in their field, the facilitators help participants rethink assessment, learn new tools from colleagues, and broaden perspectives through immersive, experiential and practical workshops. 

Creating Connections and Community around Experiential Education: Participants will come away with a network of colleagues to connect with throughout the year and share ideas for curriculum, instruction, and assessment. 

Learning Objectives:
Participants will leave the Institute with the following:

• An understanding of the theory and pedagogy of experiential education and how it relates to academic rigor, student engagement, and classroom enhancement.
• A better understanding of the integrated role experiential education can play in classrooms, school mission, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racist initiatives.
• Learning how to apply and integrate experiential education pedagogy based on academic disciplines. 
• Access to extensive resources relevant to their discipline.

Registration

What is included in your registration? 
The registration fee is inclusive of all workshops and some meals (lunches, welcome and closing dinner) throughout the duration of the Institute. Lodging not included in registration fee - hotel information below. 

*Make sure you have a linked profile in our database to receive member pricing. Reach out to Taras ([email protected]) if you are not sure of your member status.

**Canadian Schools: We are offering an exchange rate discount to interested Canadian schools. Please contact Taras Ferencevych at [email protected] for more information.

Registration is now closed. 

Refund & Cancelation Policy
Should you need to cancel your registration you will have two options. A colleague may be substituted at no fee or, if you cancel without substituting your place, the refund policy below will go into effect.

• Cancellation greater than 61 days prior to the Institute: 90% refund
• Cancellation 60-30 days prior to the conference: 50% refund
• Cancellation under 30 days prior to the conference: 0% refund

COVID-19 Refunds: At the moment, in-person events are being guided by local health authorities. In the event public health dictates that we are not able to gather in August and ISEEN cancels, we will refund registration fees minus a 10% administrative fee.

Important Registration Notes:

For community building and ease of transportation we encourage all participants to stay at the below accommodations.  

• Additional costs include lodging in Longmont, CO. Attendees should book their lodging  from June 20-24.We have negotiated a reduced rate of $129 a night (plus taxes and fees) for Institute attendees at the Residence Inn and Courtyard by Marriot in Longmont, CO (they are next door to each other).  Use this link to take advantage of the discounted rate, or mention ISEEN when you call to make a reservation. We will provide a daily shuttle from the hotels to  Dawson School so please keep that in mind when booking accommodations. 

Current Covid-19 Protocols

Travel Logistics 

Post-Institute Offering:

Partners/Families and Full Engagement:
As Colorado is such an appealing destination, we are often asked by potential attendees if their partner or family can join them. We understand this desire and encourage attendees to spend some extra time in Colorado to truly experience the wonder of this amazing area. That said, much of what makes the ISEEN Institute so powerful is the community that we build through meals and social/downtime and, unlike typical conferences, the Institute is truly an immersion experience. Attendees are deeply engaged from sun-up to sun-down with each other and the program.

Partners are invited to join the group for the closing dinner (additional cost), but all other meals and activities are reserved solely for Institute attendees to help build and maintain that core community (and we assume and request attendees will fully participate with the program). Partners/families should be prepared to be very independent throughout the duration of the Institute and should plan any family time/activities before or after the Institute dates. 

Questions

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have questions about the event. Email us at [email protected] or call us at (206) 209-5288.
Your 2023 ISEEN Summer Institute Planning Team is excited to see you!