Master Classes
Led by experts from all arenas, our intimate master classes provide teachers with thrilling new ideas, better teaching strategies, and renewed excitement for their work with students.
“The Academy for Teachers is top-notch and simply cannot be beat in terms of providing, fun, inspiring, engaging, and useful professional development.”
—Holly Spinelli, Woodbury-Monroe High School
“I always feel so inspired when I leave a master class. I get a really necessary jolt of motivation.”
—Jenna Alden, Bard High School Early College-Queens
“The level of expertise from both the speakers and the teachers involved is second to none.”
—Julian Altschul, The Brearley School
In a master class, intimate groups of teachers learn from a leading expert and from each other, sharing their best lessons, resources, and wisdom across all subject areas.
In-person Master Classes
- One full day
- During school hours
- Held in a distinguished NYC location
Online Master Classes
- 3 separate days / 90-minute sessions
- After school
- On Zoom
K-12 teachers from public, charter, and private schools can apply or be nominated.
Online master classes take place after school on three separate days in 90-minute sessions.
Noteworthy Faculty
Eminent scholars, artists, scientists, athletes, politicians, business leaders, and others have led master classes. All of them had a teacher who helped them on their way and they are eager to give back.
Gloria Steinem
Gloria Steinem changed the world—and led one of our first master classes, “Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions: Fighting for Women’s Rights.” A writer and activist involved in feminist and other social justice movements for over forty years, Steinem remains one of the most visible and outspoken symbols of the women’s movement today.
Ta-Nehisi Coates
Ta-Nehisi Coates, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Between the World and Me, led a class for principals and school leaders called “Race and Schools in America.”
Kronos Quartet
In their master class, The Kronos Quartet explored several pieces of contemporary chamber pieces they’d commissioned for its “Fifty for the Future” project.
Jane Goodall
Jane Goodall’s pioneering work with primates and their conservation has revolutionized our understanding of wild animals and how to protect them. Dr. Goodall led a discussion of her work with a group of teachers who have been inspired by her work and who pass Goodall’s message on to their students.
Yes, our programs are for K-12 teachers across all subject areas.
We welcome applications and nominations of teachers in public, charter, religious, and independent schools.
We are an approved provider of CTLE hours. Teachers will receive a certificate of completion at the end of their master class.
Tuition for master classes is paid by the school, not the teacher. Scholarships are available for public schools.
In-person tuition
- $350 for public and charter schools
- $1000 for private schools; $500 for schools in the Private Schools & Public Education Partnership
Virtual Class Tuition
- $175 for public and charter schools
- $350 for private schools; $175 for schools in the Private Schools & Public Education Partnership
All K-12 teachers are eligible for master classes. Most successful applicants have at least three years of teaching experience. (Those with less experience should consider our Early Career Fellowship). Applications are evaluated by Academy for Teachers Fellows who volunteer to help select participants for each master class.
About two weeks after the application deadline.
In various ways. Our partner institutions and previous faculty make introductions. Sometimes teachers connect us to brilliant, accomplished people. Sometimes potential faculty contact us. We also ask them out of the blue. If you or someone you know is interested in leading a master class, please get in touch.
Help us keep great teachers in the classroom
Teachers, our most valuable resource, are struggling. Overwhelmed and under-supported, too many teachers leave the profession too soon. The Academy’s enriching experiences and supportive community have been proven to improve those odds.