Summer Institute Grants

The Summer Institute is a professional development opportunity for D36 teachers and administrators offered every other year.  Teachers, administrators, and School Board members work together on various topics that significantly enhance how we understand and work with our students.  

  • 2023 Summer Institute: Summer Institute occurs every other year. The next summer institute will occur this summer (2024)

  • 2022 Summer Institute:  

    • Science of Reading: Teachers in grades K-4 will have the opportunity to participate in a two-day institute focusing on the Science of Reading with the Reading League. Participants will learn about three major anchors that can help administrators and teachers make evidence-aligned decisions about assessment, data analysis, instructional materials, lesson planning, and evaluation processes.  Teachers will focus on phonemic awareness development, untangle multiple "ph" terms associated with the Science of Reading, clarify the role of phoneme proficiency in skilled reading, and refresh their knowledge of phonics. Participants will learn how to plan and implement engaging, evidence-aligned, 6-step lessons to teach the phonemic and phonic skills necessary for efficient decoding, spelling, and fluency. 

    • Project-Based Learning: Teachers in grades 5-8 will have an opportunity to participate in an institute focusing on Project Based Learning/Inquiry facilitated by the Buck Institute. It provides participants with the knowledge and skills needed to implement a rigorous, standards-based project. This institute models the Project Based Learning process and reinforces how teachers might facilitate PBL in their classrooms. Participants will learn how to set norms, facilitate inquiry, and foster collaborative conversations using tech tools like Nearpod and Google Docs. Each participant will leave with a project ready to be implemented in their classroom as well as with the teaching practices to facilitate high-quality PBL. 

  • 2020 Summer Institute:  This institute focused on Social Emotional Learning for students and adults - Being Well and Well Being: Pursuing Meaning, Purpose, Coherence. The topic of the Summer Institute emerged from the work of the SEL District Committee and reflects the interests and needs of staff members.