Foundations in Practice: Tools and Community for Assistant Teachers
Oct 14, 2025 8:30AM—Apr 21, 2026 10:00AM
Location
Virtual
Cost Early Bird Pricing for Members (Available until Sept 25) $1,055 members; $890 group-rate 3+; $1,660 non-members
Categories Curriculum & Pedagogy, Ongoing Program, Online, Social & Emotional Learning, Teachers
Foundations in Practice: Tools and Community for Assistant Teachers
SESSION 1: October 14, 2025 | 8:30am - 10:00am
SESSION 2: November 18, 2025 | 8:30am - 10:00am
SESSION 3: December 16, 2025 | 8:30am - 10:00am
SESSION 4: February 17, 2026 | 8:30am - 10:00am
SESSION 5: March 24, 2026 | 8:30am - 10:00am
SESSION 6: April 21, 2026 | 8:30am - 10:00am
ABOUT THIS ONLINE ONGOING PROGRAM
Each month, assistant teachers are invited to join a 90-minute online workshop designed to support their professional growth and foster connection. These sessions offer practical tools and strategies to enhance their work in the classroom, with a focus on effective collaboration, student engagement, and responsive support. In addition to skill-building, the workshops provide a space for assistant teachers to share experiences, ask questions, and build a strong sense of community with colleagues throughout the state.
Our ongoing monthly workshops will explore a range of topics to strengthen assistant teachers’ skills and confidence in the classroom. Sessions will cover professional expectations such as school etiquette, responsiveness, and communication. We’ll dive into classroom culture and management, including building relationships, receiving feedback, and supporting student engagement through Responsive Classroom practices. Additional topics include communication strategies with lead teachers and students, understanding learning differences and accommodations, and how to take initiative while maintaining a growth mindset. Each workshop will also include practical takeaways and opportunities for reflection and collaboration.
Participants will:
- Develop professional communication skills, including appropriate email tone, responsiveness, and clarity
- Build effective organizational systems for managing student notes, feedback, supplies, and classroom materials
- Learn how to support and partner with lead teachers through clear communication and shared understanding
- Practice receiving feedback in a constructive, growth-oriented way
- Learn student engagement strategies using Responsive Classroom techniques, including interactive modeling and meaningful feedback
- Recognize and learning differences and accommodations
AUDIENCE
Associate, Assistant, and Resident Teachers
Do you work at an independent school outside of California? Click here for a discount on our non-member registration!
ABOUT THE FACILITATORS
Tammi Abad is in her eleventh year at Burke’s, where she is a 4th-grade teacher and the Director of the Associate Teacher Program. One of the most rewarding aspects of her career is supporting and mentoring educators at the start of their teaching journeys. A Bay Area native, Tammi has been teaching since 1995. She started her career in public schools teaching K-8. When she relocated to New Orleans in 2005, Tammi began working at Louise McGehee, a K-8 single-gender school. Shortly after she was hired, Hurricane Katrina devastated the city. Tammi continued her work in all-girls schools when she moved to New York City in 2007 and took on the role of Lower School Math Specialist, and after identifying the need for mentorship, created an Associate Teacher program at Convent of Sacred Heart. After 8 years and the birth of her son, Joshua, she decided to move back to the Bay Area to raise him near her close-knit family. Tammi is excited to facilitate this workshop with Sarah, whom she met while building professional community through CATDC.
Sarah Shields, Curriculum Coordinator at The Carey School in San Mateo, brings over 20 years of education experience to her role. She taught for 13 years at Marin Country Day School, and prior to that she taught for 5 years at independent schools in the Boston Area. More recently, Sarah has held leadership positions such as Faculty Coach and Leader of the Assistant Teacher Program at The Hamlin School and served as a Graduate Student Supervisor at BATTI (Bay Area Teacher Training Institute). Sarah's knowledge of curriculum development, coaching, and program design reflects her dedication to empowering students and educators alike.
Cancellation Policy
Life happens. We understand that there will be times when you cannot attend a workshop that you have registered and paid for. We strive to be as helpful and flexible as possible when things out of your control happen. Please visit our FAQ page for detailed information about our cancellation policy and answers to frequently asked questions about enrollment and membership.