The New Teacher Institute was founded on the conviction that independent schools must share the responsibility for training skillful educators for the nations' public and private schools. The two year program emphasizes daily teaching, curriculum planning, and professional development.

Founder Headmaster Brewster Ely was adamant that the program would not be “helpers in the classroom” but rather a structured training program with observations, evaluations, support from a head teacher and total immersion in the school community.

	“The Town School intern program has given me the opportunity to grow as a teacher while working alongside other dedicated and knowledgeable individuals. It has been an incredible experience, one which has intensified my love for teaching and my desire to always work with children.” Brooke Jenkins, former intern, Head Kindergarten Teacher

Today, the Town School New Teacher Institute is a two year course of study incorporating both the theoretical and practical aspects of classroom teaching. Each year an intern works at a different grade level under the guidance of a head teacher. Interns experience the full range of all responsibilities experienced by classroom teachers. Skills developed include:

• Selection of curricular materials
• Planning, preparation, and presentation of lessons and units of study
• classroom management and discipline
• Report writing and parent conferencing
• Teaching through application

Additionally, interns participate in all faculty meetings and many teach after school courses or coach athletic teams. Regular evaluations include direct observations, conferences with head teachers and the program director, and peer evaluation. The intern is expected to assume increasing levels of responsibility and to become an equal partner in the classroom. By the conclusion of the program interns are fully qualified to be head teachers. The administration is supportive and proactive in helping the interns with their future teaching career opportunities or graduate school studies. Interns leave Town as trained professionals, well prepared to teach in either public or private schools.

	“The New Teacher Institute has afforded me the opportunity to learn while teaching, fail while succeeding, and grow professionally among peers similarly compelled towards education. I am grateful to those who took interest in my development.” Julian Roward, former intern, Professional Services

Over one hundred men and women have concluded their two year training at Town School. The majority of them went on to become head teachers in independent and public schools. Included in this group are a school counselor, a learning specialist, an educational consultant, a resource specialist, a director of a tutorial program, substitute teachers, and the president of an educational recruiting company.