Summer Institute for Teachers

Ignite Your Teaching at the Summer Institute

June 13-14, 2024 | Miami, Florida

Elevate your educational impact in just two days! Join us at Ransom Everglades for a conference that transforms ideas into classroom revolutions. Connect, collaborate, and create with fellow educators in a setting that’s as dynamic as it is beautiful.

Vision and Mission

We’re flipping the script on professional development. Say goodbye to passive learning and hello to active engagement. Our sessions are hands-on, our strategies are proven, and our outcomes are immediate. Leave with resources that will make next year your best yet.

Our Approach

Practical Application:

Each session is an opportunity to learn from experienced educators and to apply those insights with immediate feedback.

Cohesive Learning:

Our thematic strands and cohort leads provide a unified learning experience, guiding you through sessions that build upon each other.

Ready for Tomorrow:

Leave the institute with ready-to-run resources and a clear game plan for the upcoming school year.

Why Attend the Summer Institute?

List of 3 items.

  • A Gathering for All Educators

    Whether you’re just beginning your teaching journey or you’re a seasoned veteran, the Summer Institute at Ransom Everglades is designed to offer valuable insights and practical skills to every member of the academic community.
  • An Interdisciplinary Experience

    Our presenters come from diverse educational backgrounds, including elementary, secondary, university-level, and beyond. This rich tapestry of experiences ensures a broad perspective, fostering connections and sparking inspiration.
  • Tailored for You

    No matter your grade level or subject area, the Summer Institute is crafted to support your growth and development. Join us and see your educational practice through a new lens, ready to make a lasting impact.

Registration

Join Us in Miami: The Summer Institute will convene at the scenic campuses of Ransom Everglades School, nestled in the vibrant heart of Coconut Grove, Florida.

Middle School Campus: 2045 South Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove, FL 33133
Upper School Campus: 3575 Main Highway, Coconut Grove, FL 33133

Early Bird Registration: Secure your spot for $299 before May 15, 2024. Afterward, the standard rate of $399 applies. Interested in group rates? Contact Matthew Helmers at mhelmers@ransomeverglades.org.


What’s Included

  • Two days of enriching conference sessions
  • Daily breakfast and lunch
  • Guidance from dedicated Cohort Leaders
  • An inspiring Keynote Lecture

Where to Stay

  • Accommodation and transportation are not included. However, parking is available on-site.
  • Join us for facilitated dinners on the first evening—a chance to network and unwind.
  • For those traveling to Miami, we recommend the following hotels in Coconut Grove:

List of 4 items.

  • Hotel Arya

    2889 McFarlane Road
    Miami, FL 33133

    For a seamless experience, please register through our dedicated conference website.
  • Courtyard by Marriott

    2649 S Bayshore Dr
    Miami, FL 33133

    For a seamless experience, please register through our dedicated conference website.
  • The Mutiny Hotel

    2951 S Bayshore Dr
    Miami, FL 33133

    For a seamless experience, please register through our dedicated conference website.
  • Mr. C

    2988 McFarlane Road
    Miami, FL 33133

    For a seamless experience, please register through our dedicated conference website.

Who Should Attend the Summer Institute?

List of 3 items.

  • New Faculty Members

    Dive into the essentials of design and instruction, and gain hands-on experience with the support of experienced educators. This is your chance to build a strong foundation and gather tips and tricks that will serve you throughout your career.
  • Veteran Educators

    Update and enhance your teaching repertoire. Engage with sessions focused on the latest educational trends, such as AI integration, innovative assessment methods, and D.E.I.B. initiatives. Collaborate with peers across various disciplines to refine your signature programs.
  • Leaders and Administrators

    Explore new strategies for campus initiatives and professional growth programs. Reconnect with the classroom experience to gain fresh perspectives that will inform your leadership approach.
Still wondering if the Summer Institute is for you? Reach out to Matthew Helmers, the Conference Director, at mhelmers@ransomeverglades.org for more information.

Sample Schedule

Please note that the below is for reference only. All sessions are subject to change based on facilitator availability. Final drafts of the schedule will be emailed to participants the week before the conference.

Facilitators

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. 
Founded in 1903, Ransom Everglades School is a coeducational, college preparatory day school for grades 6 - 12 located on two campuses in Coconut Grove, Florida. Ransom Everglades School produces graduates who "believe that they are in the world not so much for what they can get out of it as for what they can put into it." The school provides rigorous college preparation that promotes the student's sense of identity, community, personal integrity and values for a productive and satisfying life, and prepares the student to lead and to contribute to society.