Conference Director Matthew Helmers has over a decade of experience developing and delivering professional learning opportunities. A frequent presenter at the National Council of Teachers of English annual conference and an upcoming Conference Chair for the Conference on English Leadership, Matthew has also facilitated professional development for the Leadership+Design Lab, BASIS schools, and private companies, focusing mainly on systems-thinking, interpersonal communication, and the importance of routine and ritual. He has two forthcoming articles: one on creating a productive meeting culture and the other on reparative thinking modes in middle management. His past publications focus on the importance of methodology in curriculum design and the value of ‘adventurousness’. Matthew is the Ransom Everglades English Coordinator and teaches the Advanced American Studies course, AP Literature and Composition, and senior electives in horror literature, desire, and literary theory.
Cohort Leads will serve as a primary point of contact throughout the Summer Institute. These veteran educators will support your cohort through several activities meant to synthesize and debrief your various sessions throughout the day. Cohorts will be assigned a week prior to the Summer Institute, and you will be able to change your cohort grouping if you believe another grouping would be more beneficial to your learning. Cohort Leads are here to ensure you have everything you need for a transformative experience.
The Session Instructors are selected from Ransom Everglades’ faculty members. All faculty teaching at the institute have years, and often decades, of experience in their chosen field, including regular ongoing professional development. All session syllabi are reviewed by the Conference Director and the Development Team.