Conferences & Institutes
TRAINING INSTITUTES
Fall institute dates will be published soon. Here are course descriptions of our offerings:
Introduction to Paideia Seminar
Learn the key components for facilitating Paideia Seminar, which helps advance students' ability to think conceptually and communicate collaboratively. This two-day course is designed for new practitioners and focuses on an integrated literacy cycle of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and thinking. Participants will study each component of the seminar cycle, develop plans for implementation, and practice facilitating Paideia Seminar.
~Austin Lassiter, HS History Teacher
Leading Paideia Implementation
This training is best for school-based Paideia leadership teams (teachers, administrators, coaches & facilitators) and is designed to take your school's Paideia implementation to the next level. We will work collaboratively with you to candidly assess your current program status and plan an ambitious but realistic set of goals for the upcoming school year.
Introduction to Paideia Coached Project
Learn the key components for facilitating Paideia Seminar, which helps advance students' ability to think conceptually and communicate collaboratively. This two-day course is designed for new practitioners and focuses on an integrated literacy cycle of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and thinking. Participants will study each component of the seminar cycle, develop plans for implementation, and practice facilitating Paideia Seminar.
Introduction to Paideia Classroom
Join us for an in-depth introduction to the Paideia Classroom, where you will learn how to support the skills of creative and critical thinking on a daily basis to activate your students’ development of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The Paideia Classroom is a simple, direct, and powerful set of practices that build upon the ideas and values, and the features, of the Paideia Seminar and the Paideia Project. The Paideia Classroom fully integrates the skill-building of dialogue into the life of the classroom, while inspiring students to practice speaking with clarity and listening mindfully to improve the two-way communication of shared understanding. During this Institute, participants will have the opportunity to explore the elements of the Paideia Classroom and begin to design and adapt activities ideally suited to their classroom, school, and community.
Advanced Paideia Seminar
This training is designed for educators who have completed the Introduction to Paideia Seminar Institute training and are interested in furthering their mastery of Paideia Seminar. We’ll invite you to reflect on your past Paideia Seminars while highlighting important nuances of text selection, question development, facilitation, and participation. We'll also spend time helping you develop a comprehensive Paideia seminar schedule for your classroom or school.
The Paideia Coordinators’ Institute
If you serve, officially or unofficially, in the role of a Paideia Coordinator, this Institute is for you. Whether you have held the position for years or have just started, join us for a collaborative learning experience and networking opportunity. Participants will be introduced to or advance their thinking around the many aspects of leading and supporting a successful Paideia implementation and/or renewal certification/accreditation. The Paideia Coordinators’ Institute will focus on supporting classroom, school-wide, faculty, and parent/community seminars, along with scheduling, archiving, marketing, hosting learning visits, and recruiting, growing, and retaining strong Paideia practitioners. During our time together, we will discuss potential problems in coordination and possible solutions to the challenges and opportunities that come with being a Paideia Coordinator.
Conference Updates
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Registration Now Open for the 2026 National Pai...
We are thrilled to announce that registration is now open for the 2026 National Paideia Conference! Join educators from across the country for two days of learning, dialogue, and inspiration...
Registration Now Open for the 2026 National Pai...
We are thrilled to announce that registration is now open for the 2026 National Paideia Conference! Join educators from across the country for two days of learning, dialogue, and inspiration...
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Announcing the 2026 National Paideia Conference...
“Paideia is the single largest influence on my career. It permeates every facet of my teaching. It all began with a two-day Intro to Paideia Seminar.”— Austin Lassiter, HS History Teacher...
Announcing the 2026 National Paideia Conference...
“Paideia is the single largest influence on my career. It permeates every facet of my teaching. It all began with a two-day Intro to Paideia Seminar.”— Austin Lassiter, HS History Teacher...
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is included in the registration fee?
The registration fee of $700 includes access to all conference sessions, keynote presentations, Paideia course materials, and networking events.
Where will the conference take place?
Join us at Charleston Charter School for Math and Science, 1002 King St, Charleston, SC 29403 —a beautiful setting for learning and collaboration.
How do I register a group from my school?
To register a group, you can use the group registration link on our website or email us at info@paideia.org for assistance. Group discounts may apply.
Can I pay by purchase order?
Yes, purchase orders are accepted. Please submit your purchase order during registration or contact our team at info@paideia.org for instructions.
Will sessions be recorded?
No, sessions will not be recorded.
What are the daily start and end times for the conference?
Thursday: Come early! Registration and coffee start at 8:30 AM, and the opening session kicks off at 9:00 AM. The official day wraps up at 3:30 PM, with an optional social gathering at 5:00 PM for those who want to stay and connect.
Friday: The day starts at 9:00 AM and will finish by 3:00 PM.