Summer Teacher Training
July 15–17, 2026
Join us for a three-day, on-campus intensive for Lower and Upper School educators and administrators.
Cary Christian School
1330 Old Apex Road
Cary, NC 27513
Registration closes on July 1, 2026 (or when seats are full).
Registration Includes:
- Certificate of Teacher Training Completion
- Curriculum resources, pacing guides, and access to lesson plans and assessments
- Program for 5-Day Grammar and Latin Crash Course
- Notebook with outlines from lectures
- Access to Cary Christian School faculty and leadership team for advising and questions
- Copy of Wisdom and Eloquence: A Christian Paradigm for Classical Learning
- Welcome cookout event, morning coffee, and catered lunches
- Hospitality gift
Schedule
| Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:30 AM | — | Coffee, Worship, Fellowship | Coffee, Worship, Fellowship | Coffee, Worship, Fellowship |
| 9:00 AM | — | Plenary Talk: Distinctly Classical and Christian | Plenary Talk: Biblical Worldview | Plenary Talk: Liturgy of the Classroom |
| 10:00 AM | — |
Breakout Sessions
Lower School
Teaching Math
Lower School
Discipleship and Discipline
Upper School
Healthy Teacher-Student Relationship in the Classroom
Upper School
Healthy Teacher-Student Relationship in the Classroom Workshop
|
Breakout Sessions
Lower School
Teaching Reading
Lower School
Lesson Planning and Scholé
Upper School
What Does Progressive Discipline Look Like in Your Room?
Upper School
How to Build a Lesson Plan That You Use
|
Breakout Sessions
Lower School
Teaching Bible and History
Lower School
Curriculum and Special Themed Days
Upper School
Assessment that Forms, Not Just Measures
Upper School
How to Teach Socratically
|
| 12:00 PM | — | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch |
| 1:00 PM | — | Plenary Talk: Seven Laws and Trivium Teaching | Book Discussion: Wisdom and Eloquence | Plenary Talk: Community and Student Life |
| 2:00 PM | — |
Breakout Sessions
Lower School
Teaching Grammar and Latin
Upper School
How to Assess Using an Oral Exam
|
Breakout Sessions
Lower School
Aesthetics and Classroom Setup
Upper School
Classroom Management Strategies
|
Breakout Sessions
Lower School
Practical Process and Organization
Upper School
How to Teach in an AI World
|
| — | Teacher Self-Assessment and Action Plan | Implementation Workshop and Next Steps | Q&A, Meet with Teachers | |
| 3:00 PM | — | — | — | Closing and Dismissal — Take Away Bags and Incentives |
| 5:00 PM | Welcome Cookout, Campus Tour led by Student Ambassadors | — | — | — |
Tuesday
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 5:00 PM | Welcome Cookout, Campus Tour led by Student Ambassadors |
Wednesday
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 8:30 AM | Coffee, Worship, Fellowship |
| 9:00 AM | Plenary Talk: Distinctly Classical and Christian |
| 10:00 AM |
Breakout Sessions
Lower School
Teaching Math
Lower School
Discipleship and Discipline
Upper School
Healthy Teacher-Student Relationship in the Classroom
Upper School
Healthy Teacher-Student Relationship in the Classroom Workshop
|
| 12:00 PM | Lunch |
| 1:00 PM | Plenary Talk: Seven Laws and Trivium Teaching |
| 2:00 PM |
Breakout Sessions
Lower School
Teaching Grammar and Latin
Upper School
How to Assess Using an Oral Exam
|
| Teacher Self-Assessment and Action Plan |
Thursday
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 8:30 AM | Coffee, Worship, Fellowship |
| 9:00 AM | Plenary Talk: Biblical Worldview |
| 10:00 AM |
Breakout Sessions
Lower School
Teaching Reading
Lower School
Lesson Planning and Scholé
Upper School
What Does Progressive Discipline Look Like in Your Room?
Upper School
How to Build a Lesson Plan That You Use
|
| 12:00 PM | Lunch |
| 1:00 PM | Book Discussion: Wisdom and Eloquence |
| 2:00 PM |
Breakout Sessions
Lower School
Aesthetics and Classroom Setup
Upper School
Classroom Management Strategies
|
| Implementation Workshop and Next Steps |
Friday
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 8:30 AM | Coffee, Worship, Fellowship |
| 9:00 AM | Plenary Talk: Liturgy of the Classroom |
| 10:00 AM |
Breakout Sessions
Lower School
Teaching Bible and History
Lower School
Curriculum and Special Themed Days
Upper School
Assessment that Forms, Not Just Measures
Upper School
How to Teach Socratically
|
| 12:00 PM | Lunch |
| 1:00 PM | Plenary Talk: Community and Student Life |
| 2:00 PM |
Breakout Sessions
Lower School
Practical Process and Organization
Upper School
How to Teach in an AI World
|
| Q&A, Meet with Teachers | |
| 3:00 PM | Closing and Dismissal — Take Away Bags and Incentives |
Speakers
Kelly Gardner
Dean of Lower School
20 years classroom experience in multiple Lower School grades including public, classical, Christian, international, and administration
B.S. in Elementary Education from East Carolina University
ACCS Masters Certification
Specialty Area: Curriculum and Instruction
Kevin Seitz
K-12 Academic Dean
28 years of education experience including classical, Christian, public, teaching, and administration
M.A. in Education Administration from California State University of Northridge
Specialty Area: Curriculum Development and Teacher Evaluation
ACCS Doctorum I Certified
Education Consultant
Diane Hillsgrove
Dean of Students
27 years of leadership and community development
6 years as Dean of Students at CCS
B.A. in Communications from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Certificate in Life Coaching and Youth and Adult Mental Health Coaching Diploma
Specialty Areas: Leadership Development, Organizational Culture, Program Development
Terri Covil
LOGIC SCHOOL TEACHER
13 years of teaching experience in Grammar and Logic School; currently teaching 6th Grade Literature and History
B.A. in Religious Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
ACCS Masters Certification
7-time ACCS Conference Speaker including the Foundations Track
Whatever I am tasked with teaching becomes my new favorite subject.
Michelle Lasch
RHETORIC SCHOOL TEACHER
9 years teaching experience across multiple humanities disciplines in middle and high school
B.A. in Communications from California State University, Fullerton
ACCS Masters Certification
Specialty Area: History
Kristen Clarkson
RHETORIC SCHOOL TEACHER
8 years classroom experience teaching Classical and American Literature; Humanities Team Lead
B.A. in English from North Carolina State University
M.A. in Humanities Education from The University of Dallas
ACCS Masters Certification
Specialty Areas: Great Books, Classical Pedagogy and Assessments
Frequently Asked Questions
Who would benefit from attending?
This training will be beneficial to beginning teachers or those who are experienced but looking to grow their craft of teaching. Teachers will appreciate the specific curriculum-centered workshops, strategies for classroom management, and pulling it all together in a practical way. Administrators will value the training, tips, and strategies to develop a faculty of robust teachers who love the Lord, know how to teach classically, and point students to Christ through the wonder of the school day. The information presented in the plenary sessions and workshops is what we consider to be essential and foundational to every good teacher.
What is your substitution or cancellation/refund policy?
Seats are limited in our Lower School and Upper School tracks. Once a seat is reserved, you may substitute another teacher on the same track. For a fee of $50, we will refund your seat only after verifying if it can be filled with someone from the waitlist in the same track. Substitutions can be accepted up to July 15, 2026. Cancellations and refunds cannot be accepted after July 1, 2026. In the event of a sickness or unexpected absence, we recommend sending someone else from your school to fill the seat.
Will a livestream or recordings be available?
The nature of this training is engaging and interactive, just like our classrooms. Participants will benefit most from the active mind of the teacher engaging with the active mind of the student, therefore we will not make recordings or a livestream available.
Who can I contact for more information?
Kelly Gardner, (919) 371-2736, and Kevin Seitz would be happy to answer any questions or tell you more about the event.
Lodging
Recommended hotels with a reserved group-rate block and breakfast provided:
Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Raleigh Cary
- $129.00 USD per night
- Last Day to Book : Tuesday, June 23, 2026
- Book your group rate for Cary Christian School
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Raleigh Cary
- $129.00 USD per night
- Last Day to Book : Tuesday, June 23, 2026
- Book your group rate for Cary Christian
Local Attractions
Downtown Cary Park
327 South Academy Street, Cary, NC
Stunning, award-winning park with varied play spaces and natural areas, outdoor games, Barkyard Bar, walking in the heart of downtown Cary to Fresh Local Ice Cream, Esteemed Coffee, Cary Arts Center, Library, Hanks Downtown Dive, The Cary Theater, and more
HighCraft Downtown Apex
Downtown Apex, 112 North Salem Street, Apex, NC
A CCS family-owned bar with food trucks on Friday night, and walking in the heart of downtown Apex to Scratch Southern Kitchen, Mission Market, Fresh Local Ice Cream, lots of shops, boutiques, coffee shops, and entertainment
Bond Park
801 High House Road, Cary
Kayak and paddleboat rentals, fishing, easy hike around the lake trail
Waverly Place
302 Colonades Way, Cary
Open-air shopping area, live music, and restaurants, including Farmside, Two Roosters Ice Cream, Gonza Tacos, Tasu Ramen, Enrigo Italian, Taziki’s