ISACS New Teacher Institute July 20-22, 2026 in Chicago

New Teacher Institute
Give Your New Teachers Strong Roots

July 20–22, 2026 in Chicago

 Questions?Visit our FAQs or contact programinfo@isacs.org.

The Program

You hired them for a reason.
Now give them the foundation to stay. 

Independent schools are unlike any other teaching environment. The expectations are higher, the parent relationships are more complex, the culture is distinct — and new teachers are expected to navigate all of it from day one. That's a lot to ask without the right preparation.

The New Teacher Institute gives your newest educators exactly what they need to understand, commit to, and thrive in independent school life — before the pressure of the school year sets in. Over three immersive, in-person days, expert faculty guide participants through the realities of independent school teaching: what it means, what it demands, and what makes it extraordinary.

Teachers in the first two years of their careers will especially benefit from this valuable training.

Registration will open in Spring 2026.

The New Teacher Institute is a 3-day in-person program.

ISACS Classroom
55 W Wacker Dr, Suite 702, Chicago, IL

Past participants describe leaving with a clarity & confidence they couldn't have found anywhere else:

"I feel so much more prepared than before the Institute."

"The information to understand the differences in an independent school—that's what I was looking for."

What your teachers gain:
The skills, relationships, and mindset to show up fully committed — not just on the first day, but for the long haul.

What your school gains:
A teacher who is rooted in your community, ready to grow, and far more likely to stay.

Recruiting great teachers is expensive. Losing them is more expensive. The New Teacher Institute is how the best independent schools protect that investment.

Email me when registration opens:
VIP List

Schedule

Details & Sessions to be announced.

Faculty

To be announced.

 L7 by Lotte
 225 N. Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL

L7 Chicago Downtown Exterior
L7 Chicago Bedroom
L7 Chicago Room
L7 Chicago Bedroom
L7 Chicago Window Seat
L7 Chicago Restaurant
L7 Chicago View
L7 Chicago Skyline

L7 by Lotte is located in downtown Chicago, just a few blocks from the ISACS Classroom.

Reserve Room: $235/night*

Rate includes: King bed, access to 24-hour Fitness Center, complimentary coffee in the lobby, weights/yoga mats in each room, complimentary Wi-Fi & one drink voucher per guest up to $20 for use in Perilla Steakhouse, the restaurant in the hotel’s lobby.

* plus tax for the nights of July 19–21, 2026

 Walking Directions to the ISACS Classroom

 Rate Availability

Rate is for the nights of July 19, 20 & 21. This rate is available until Midnight CT on June 26, 2026 or block reaches capacity.

 Reserve by Phone

Call (888) 393-5916 to request a room using the ISACS New Teacher Institute block name.

 Other Room Types

If you would like to extend your dates or request a room with two beds, contact programinfo@isacs.org for assistance.

 Parking

Overnight Valet Parking at L7: $69/day with in & out privileges. The rate resets at 6 pm each day.

Daily Parking for Local Attendees: We recommend securing discounted parking through a parking app such as spothero.com or parkwhiz.com. 

Parking fees listed above are subject to change.

School Credit Cards
If your school plans to pay directly for your hotel with the school credit card, please contact karen@isacs.org several weeks before you arrival so your school representative can complete the hotel’s credit card authorization form to have charges billed to directly to the school’s credit card. 
 Cancellation Policy

Hotel cancellations must be made 48 hours prior to arrival to avoid one night room and tax charge.

 Hotel Scam Alert

ISACS does not reach out to attendees or sponsors directly to book hotel rooms. If you receive calls or emails from third-party companies, we recommend you do not provide these solicitors with any personal information including, but not limited to, making new or changing existing reservations and do not provide your credit card. If you have any doubt about the information that you are receiving regarding any ISACS room blocks, please contact programinfo@isacs.org.

Reviews from Past Attendees

This was immensely helpful and I feel so much more prepared than before the Institute.

2025 Attendee

The breadth of the content [was] SO comprehensive and diverse yet cohesive. It definitely exceeded my expectations. It was also extremely affirming and rewarding to participate with the size of the group we had. It was like every single conversation, whether super brief or extended was a memorable learning experience which was extremely stimulating. I had such a good time and will always remember this experience!

2024 Attendee

Thank you all so much for reminding us that this is supposed to be hard. Teaching is a skill, and we are all learning how to be better teachers. It takes time and letting us have some real conversations on our successes and struggles made me gain insight I would not have gotten from a more reserved or withheld environment.

I'll definitely be pouring over resources these next few months as the school year starts off!

2025 Attendee

Registration

Registration will open in Spring 2026.

Registration Fee:

TBA

ISACS may remove a registrant from an event if they do not follow the ISACS Policies & Disclaimers for Professional Learning Events.