How our Programs Work

Center for Inspired Teaching exists to ensure that schools make the most of children’s innate desire to learn. We do this by investing in teachers. We believe teachers are the solution to changing how children are educated and our programs reflect this belief.

Through professional development courses, in-classroom mentoring, and whole school partnerships, our research-based program challenges teachers to revisit their assumptions, personal philosophies, and beliefs about teaching and how children learn.

During our programs, teachers engage in an in-depth analysis of their current instructional strategies, and undergo training in communicating subject matter effectively, while observing, listening, and asking questions that spark students' intellectual imaginations. Our courses are designed to guide teachers through the following process:

Inspired Teaching's Five-Step Process

Step 1. Analyze and deepen my understanding of the ways I learn.

Step 2. Articulate and defend my philosophy of teaching and learning, including what I believe about children. Find room in my philosophy for an appreciation of children's natural curiosity and desire to learn.

Step 3. Make the connection to classroom practice - develop new strategies to make sure my philosophy of teaching and learning matches what I do in the classroom.

Step 4. Build the skills of effective teachers, including listening, asking thoughtful questions, observing, and communicating effectively.

Step 5. Practice! Create and practice new strategies that will make my classroom an active place of learning fueled by students' ideas. Arm myself with research that shows children learn best when they engage in work that is important and challenging.

Click here for a PDF that describes what makes our professional development so different.

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