About This Course
Teaching is complex professional work — learnable, improvable, and worthy of careful study.
Nearly fifty years ago, RBT founder Jon Saphier came to an important realization: despite years in classrooms and schools, there was still so much about teaching he did not yet fully understand. That realization sparked a lifelong effort to study teaching deeply, identify research-based practices that support student learning, and make the craft of teaching more visible, learnable, and shareable among educators.
Studying Skillful Teaching reflects that belief. Designed for educators at all stages of their careers — from newer teachers building foundational practices to experienced educators refining and expanding their expertise — the course honors both the complexity of teaching and the professionalism of teachers.
Drawing on the research and frameworks of The Skillful Teacher alongside the collective wisdom and experience of course participants, educators work collaboratively to examine practice, expand their instructional repertoire, and strengthen their impact on student learning.
At its core, the course is grounded in collegiality — the idea that teachers grow best when they can study practice together, share expertise, reflect openly, and learn from one another in a culture of trust and respect.
Skillful teachers are made, not born — through study, practice, reflection, feedback, and continual growth over time.
This course was one of the most effective and influential courses I've ever taken! I learned so much throughout this course, and I feel like my teaching has improved, my planning has improved, and even my attitude towards teaching has improved! |
SST Participant |
Goals
Participants will study, apply, and reflect on practical ways to:
- Examine beliefs and expectations that influence student motivation and achievement
- Support students in developing a growth mindset
- Design lessons with clear objectives and criteria for success
- Apply research-based instructional strategies
- Use formative assessment evidence to make timely instructional decisions that support student learning
Course Format
This 37-hour course, grounded in The Skillful Teacher, helps educators expand their instructional repertoire and strengthen their capacities in planning, teaching, reflection, and the study of practice. Studying Skillful Teaching builds the shared language, instructional expertise, and reflective habits that support high levels of learning for every student.
Format options include:
- In-Person: Typically offered as six full-day sessions held at the sponsoring district or a central location for open enrollment courses.
- Hybrid: A combination of in-person and virtual sessions designed to support flexibility and collaboration.
Contact us to discuss the format that would best support your educators and goals.
Videos
About Studying Skillful Teaching
Participants share their experience with the SST course.
Jon Saphier: Introduction to the Knowledge Base I: Repertoire and Matching
In this video, Dr. Saphier explains the reasons the Skillful Teacher triangle is set up as it is. He also explains the nature of professional knowledge as Areas of Performance, Repertoire, and Matching using Attention as an example.
Jon Saphier: Introduction to the Knowledge Base II: The Complexity of Teaching
In this video, Dr. Saphier explains the complexity of teaching by illustrating all the teaching skills that have to happen simultaneously to ensure student learning. Dr. Saphier shows that all of the areas of performance are active simultaneously, with some more easily seen than others.
Resources
Teaching Impact
For over 40 years RBT has delivered professional development to teachers across the country as well as internationally. We have collected and reviewed evidence to show the positive impact of this work on teacher practice and student results from our teaching courses.
Participant Feedback
This course offered practical, immediately useful application to my teaching. Even more, it had an impact on my decision making and an impact on my students' learning. Perfect balance of pedagogy and field work, many opportunities to collaborate with others and transformative change through field work and reflection. I honestly would not change a thing about this course. It's one of the most impactful courses I have taken in the last 20 years. |
SST Participant |
Course Information
Interested in learning more about Studying Skillful Teaching for yourself or your district? Contact us to explore upcoming opportunities.
Credits:
Participants completing all program requirements can optionally receive three graduate or undergraduate credits through Fitchburg State University for an additional fee paid directly to FSU. Learn More