Brewster Summer Institute: Preparing Faculty, Building Community
Few programs capture the spirit of Brewster quite like the Brewster Summer Institute (BSI), where new faculty embark on a shared journey of learning and community from their very first days. BSI—Brewster’s intensive summer training for teachers across all campuses—has, since 1993, introduced new employees to the school’s values, structures, and dynamic community, equipping them for success and helping them build lasting connections. These connections and successes directly translate into their teaching and ability to help prepare students for the classroom and beyond.
This year, BSI brought together eight new faculty in Wolfeboro and 39 new employees across Brewster’s two Madrid campuses (both K-12 private American schools in Madrid). Led this year by Assistant Head of School James Reilly and Dean of Faculty Katie Gardner in Wolfeboro, and Director of Faculty Development Bret Barnett in Spain, sessions ranged from Global Education to radical candor and Brewster history, all designed to spark meaningful conversations and build a shared vision.
Reflecting on the experience, Director of Faculty Development Bret Barnett shared, “I love BSI. The energy, enthusiasm, and professionalism of all the new staff is contagious. Not only is it rewarding to set new folks up to begin their Brewster journey, but it is also amazing to hear from them as they share their wealth of expertise.”
This spirit of collective engagement and pride was echoed by new faculty member Joseph Scala-Harbert ’16 (also a Brewster alum), who remarked, “Over the last three weeks at BSI, I felt massive engagement, a huge sense of community, great structure in a really positive form, and a lot of pride in what people do here and what I hope to do here.”
Melanie Fedorowicz, a new art teacher in Wolfeboro, described her BSI experience as having, “a general feeling of support and guidance,” balanced with “high standards and rigor. And a reminder that people are joyful and teachers are joyful here.”
Highlights included a midsummer trivia competition connecting all three campuses, and a new tradition: faculty in Wolfeboro created a welcome video for their Madrid colleagues—an exchange so warmly received that Madrid is already planning one in return.
BSI continues to help build the culture and community that defines Brewster, allowing teachers to truly put students at the center of their learning.
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Learn More About Brewster
Experience Brewster Madrid, one of the leading K-12 private and international schools in Spain. Explore our website further to discover why Brewster is one of the best American schools in Madrid with our top-ranked academics (we are an IB School and Advanced Placement Madrid school) and inclusive admissions process. Learn why so many expat and local families choose Brewster for value, innovation, and excellence in education, at both our Chamberí and La Moraleja campuses in Madrid.
