Each August, The Island School hosts a Teacher Conference. The Teacher Conference is an opportunity for teachers, administrators, guidance counselors and others in the education field to learn about our program and collaborate with other professionals. Our participants come from our sending schools as well as other schools throughout the U.S., Canada, and The Bahamas.

Please note the program dates for 2013 are Sunday, August 4 – Sunday, August 11.

Conference Goals and Highlights

• Get exposed to models of place-based learning
• Share ideas on student assessment in experiential education
• Re-energize and connect teachers to the sense of wonder that comes from hands-on learning
• Get immersed in the local environment
• Morning exercise
• Explore the geology and geography of Cape Eleuthera
• Learn about experiential education and curriculum
• Kayak, SCUBA dive, and snorkel
• Meet Island School staff and learn about curriculum by participating in classes and research activities

Topics Covered

• The Island School history, vision, and academic overview
• Sustainability systems & campus tour
• SCUBA, kayaking, and snorkeling exploration
• Geology and geography exploration
• Seminar topics and teaching styles
• Island School assessment models
• Authentic research & scientific presentations
• Alumni student reflections and perspectives
• Subject-specific work teams
• Art, relationship to place, and placebooking

Schedule

A typical daily schedule might include:

7-8 am: Morning exercise
8:15 am: Breakfast
9:15-12:15: Classroom discussion, teaching models
12:15 am: Lunch
1:15-4:15: SCUBA or kayak expedition, science lesson
6:00 pm: Dinner
7:15 pm: Evening debrief of the day

“If there is such a thing as the complete immersion of a teacher’s soul in an environment where there is no separation between place and purpose, The Island School Teacher Conference has achieved it. This is truly a transforming experience.”

Bill Waters, Literature, Bryn Mawr School

Conference Information

Program dates for 2013 are Sunday, August 4 – Sunday, August 11.

Tuition, room, and board is $900, not including travel arrangements. Many schools have professional development funds available; contact your principal or dean of faculty to find out more about funding options. If you need scholarship support, please contact us, and we may have support available through the Cape Eleuthera Foundation, and can explore options to find grant money from within your community.

All conference participants will live together in Island School single-sex dorms and eat buffet-style meals at The Island School’s dining hall.

For more information please email teacherconference@islandschool.org.

Registration Information

Initial registration can be completed via an online form, found here. After your initial regsitration, we’ll contact you directly with confirmation details, payment information, and all other event details. Please feel free to contact us at teacherconference@islandschool.org with any questions that you might have.