Initiative Offers National Seminars

Inaugural Meeting of the Initiative Leadership in New Haven, December 2004. (Clockwise from left: Joseph A. Kotarba, Houston; Karen S. Goldman, Pittsburgh; James R. Vivian, New Haven; Sabatino Sofia, New Haven; Carol M. Petett, Pittsburgh; Stephen P. Broker, New Haven; Helen S. Faison, Pittsburgh; Carolyn N. Kinder, New Haven; Josephine Hamilton, Houston; Daniel Addis, Houston; and David Judkins, Houston.)

In 2005 the Initiative will offer four National Seminars at Yale for leading teachers from League Institutes and from selected cities that are planning or considering the establishment of a Teachers Institute. The application deadline is March 28.

National Seminars have the twin purposes of providing teachers firsthand experience with the Institute approach, while affording them an opportunity to increase their preparation and to develop a curriculum unit to teach what they have learned to their own students. Each teacher selected as a National Fellow participates in one of the National Seminars.

From League Institutes, teams of teachers participate in National Seminars. From communities considering or planning a Teachers Institute, school superintendents nominate teachers to become Fellows in National Seminars. National Fellows must already be, or must be committed to become, leaders in a local Teachers Institute. Teachers selected as Yale National Fellows participate in an organizational meeting of the Seminars in May, and in daily Seminar meetings held during the Intensive Session at Yale between July 5 and 15, 2005.

The Initiative covers Fellows' travel and lodging expenses. Upon successful completion of a National Seminar, Fellows receive a stipend of $ 1000 and may petition for certification of their course-of-study.