Why I Keep Coming Back to the Invitational Summer Institute
by Elizabeth Berlan
Every summer, when I am feeling a little drained from the school year yet buoyed by the prospect of a break, I start to look forward to attending ISI, the Invitational Summer Institute. I have participated four times (twice in one summer!), and every time it is absolutely worth it.
Upon the recommendation of a co-worker, I first took part in ISI and I was automatically hooked.
First, the professionals that choose to participate are engaged, enthusiastic to better their practice, and equally committed to sharing some of their own lessons and techniques that have had success in their own classrooms. In short, the people are a joy to be around. No one is judgmental; everyone is encouraging and there to build each other up.
The practices I have taken away from ISI have been invaluable. I am a content coach for another organization and time and again, I re-share what I have learned from ISI. From bracket battles to heart mapping to synonym poetry to writing about phobias for a climax, each of these lessons has had enormous success with my students. I could delineate many more strategies that I use, but those are just a few! Each teacher “demo lesson” brings its own unique strategies and ideas as well.
Five years (almost). That’s how long I have been teaching. This past school year I grew significantly in my evaluation, and I truly owe much of that to ISI. While I certainly partook in my own reflection of my practice, the content strategies that added richness to my teaching in the classroom largely came from my learning over the summer. And we all know that teacher success and confidence yields the same great results for students.
It will be well worth your time and a few summer days to attend ISI. You feel rejuvenated, more knowledgeable, and excited once you complete your ISI experience...and may even want to come back for more!
Every summer, when I am feeling a little drained from the school year yet buoyed by the prospect of a break, I start to look forward to attending ISI, the Invitational Summer Institute. I have participated four times (twice in one summer!), and every time it is absolutely worth it.
Upon the recommendation of a co-worker, I first took part in ISI and I was automatically hooked.
First, the professionals that choose to participate are engaged, enthusiastic to better their practice, and equally committed to sharing some of their own lessons and techniques that have had success in their own classrooms. In short, the people are a joy to be around. No one is judgmental; everyone is encouraging and there to build each other up.
The practices I have taken away from ISI have been invaluable. I am a content coach for another organization and time and again, I re-share what I have learned from ISI. From bracket battles to heart mapping to synonym poetry to writing about phobias for a climax, each of these lessons has had enormous success with my students. I could delineate many more strategies that I use, but those are just a few! Each teacher “demo lesson” brings its own unique strategies and ideas as well.
Five years (almost). That’s how long I have been teaching. This past school year I grew significantly in my evaluation, and I truly owe much of that to ISI. While I certainly partook in my own reflection of my practice, the content strategies that added richness to my teaching in the classroom largely came from my learning over the summer. And we all know that teacher success and confidence yields the same great results for students.
It will be well worth your time and a few summer days to attend ISI. You feel rejuvenated, more knowledgeable, and excited once you complete your ISI experience...and may even want to come back for more!
