BTR SUMMER INSTITUTE
Beginning in Summer 2026, educators within and beyond Boston will have an opportunity to access professional learning designed and led by the Boston Teacher Residency (BTR), gaining both practical skills for the classroom and a supportive learning community of peers. The BTR Summer Institute is now open for enrollment, as space allows.
WHY Summer Institute?
Every child deserves an excellent teacher, and every teacher deserves the support and preparation needed to successfully launch and maintain a productive learning environment from Day 1. We recognize how important intentional planning and preparation are to setting the tone and foundation for a successful school year.
The BTR Summer Institute supports teachers to develop strong routines, norms, and expectations, and to establish productive relationships and learning environments. You will leave the 5-day institute having systematically planned and rehearsed all aspects of the first two weeks of the school year, from classroom set up and routines to content and curriculum – giving you the tools and strategies to launch the year with confidence.
WHO this is for:
The Summer Institute is designed for teachers within their first three years of service, but all teachers who would benefit from a collaborative and intentional approach to launching the school year are encouraged to participate. Teachers across all grade levels and content areas are welcome.
WHAT to Expect:
What you’ll gain:
By the end of this five-day program, you will have:
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A clear classroom vision
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A fully developed first instructional unit
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Core routines and structures planned and rehearsed
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Practical strategies for establishing and reinforcing relationships, norms, and expectations
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Scenario-based preparation to make confident, on-the-spot decisions
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Foundational family-engagement skills and artifacts
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A personalized and concrete plan and materials to confidently launch the first 7 days of school
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A community of support from peers, and connections that will span the school year and beyond
The experience:
During the Summer Institute, you will convene with recent BTR graduates and other early career educators in an intensive, interactive, collaborative professional learning environment that:
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Prioritizes connection and community
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Provides rich opportunities for hands-on, practical learning through real-world scenarios, games, rehearsals, reflection, and both small group and 1:1 coach/peer feedback
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Honors the challenges and joys of the profession and prepares teachers to succeed in their multi-faceted roles as relationship holders, culture builders, and content instructors
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Helps mitigate the Sunday scaries and August angst through sacred and structured time that results in every aspect of the first 7 days of school being thoughtfully planned and prepared
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Sets the stage for a successful launch and establishes important habits and routines for the rest of the school year
Schedule:
HOW to Enroll:
Open Enrollment:
We welcome both individual enrollment and group enrollment from schools or districts seeking quality new teacher induction services that will support a successful start to the school year.
SY26-27 BTR Summer Institute:
August 10-14, 2026 (Monday-Friday, 8:30am-3:30pm)
Location TBD in Boston
Registration and Fees:
$650 per person for individual enrollment
$600 per person for group enrollment of 3 people or more
Custom Engagements:
We partner with districts to provide customized, onsite institutes for early career teachers. We also provide options for coaching and co-facilitating with district, school, and/or teacher leaders, building long-term internal capacity for high quality induction support. Contact Carolyn Chen, Director of Strategic Partnerships, at cchen@bpe.org.
Hours | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
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AM (3 hours) | Your purpose and vision Your classroom community | Community building Setting norms, expectations, and routines | Planning and mindsets Reinforcing norms and expectations, addressing behavior | Community building Planning for the first 7 days of school | Community building Family engagement |
Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch |
PM (3 hours) | Unit 1: Curriculum overview and content routines. Identify and practice student learning routines | Unit 1: Backwards design. Plan for key student learning goals & assessments | Fishbowls: Building Classroom Community Planning for Day 1 | Scenarios and role-playing for in-the-moment decision making | Collaborative work time and coaching Pop-up topics |