“The spirit of learning is marked by JOY.”

-Dr. Donald Cowan



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VISION: The MacMillan Institute inspires and equips public school educators to give all children an education that liberates them into fullness as individuals to thrive in the communities of democracy.

MISSION: We advance our mission with three pillars of support for public school educators and public school systems: distinctive, human-centered trainings and certifications for public school educators at all levels and academic disciplines; a versatile, trademarked Academy model; and a distinctive, trademarked Pre-K—12 humanities curriculum for all public school children that may be licensed to use in our Academy models.

The MacMillan Institute is a TEA approved CPE provider.

Our Mission


What we do

  • Training & Certification

    Learning experiences are based on the Cowans’ distinctive vision of the “spirit of liberal learning for all” that have been inspiring and transforming Pre-K through 12 educators in every discipline since 1984.

    Certification training is designed to prepare teachers and administrators who seek to build and nurture district and campus communities at a higher level of academic rigor, equity, and excellence.

    Summer Seminar 2022
  • Academy & Curriculum

    The MacMillan Institute certifies and provides professional support both to educators and to its Academy and School educational models.

    The School and Academy are educational models based on the Cowans’ vision of the “spirit of liberal learning for all” and are designed to provide cadres of certified teachers and administrators in a department, departments, or entire schools with the structure to sustain and grow their own distinctive communities of academic excellence and social equity.

    For educators engaged formally in the educational models sponsored by The MacMillan Institute, the trademarked, integrated History/English curricula—robust, multi-cultural, humanities-based liberal learning experiences—may be licensed from The MacMillan Institute.

  • Campus & Executive Coaching

    We offer coaching and support for Pre-K through 12 educators taking MacMillan Institute certification courses.

    For those formally engaged in an Academy or School certified by The MacMillan Institute, we offer specialized, intensive, on-campus professional support by expert consultants to help educators—teachers and administrators—cultivate a distinctive community of learning, teaching, and leading that is distinguished by the collegiality of its educators and by the quality of its curricula across the disciplines.

With gratitude to those who have helped us get started.

Anonymous

Emily and Kevin Roden

The Lynn and Foster Friess Family Foundation

The Kim Jordan Foundation

With special thanks to
our first donor!

Dr. Dan and Kathy
Russ

Dr. J Larry
Allums

Dr. Nancy Cain
Marcus Robertson

Sue Maclay

Betty and Russell
Bellamy

Deborah Allen

Polly J. Friess

Nancy Pollard
Nicole and Jared Grabow
Dr. George Cooper
Drs. Jaina and Raghu Sanga
Emily Hargrove

Jenny Mullen
Kathy Herring
Chris Mikesell
Kim Rice
Ellen McStay

Jenna Turner Alexander
Doretha Allen
Monica Ashour
Lou and Jon Bauman
Dr. Bainard and Christine Cowan
Noel Dahlby
Dustin Gibson
Suzana Gordon
Karen and Robby Grabow
Kristen Harris
Cheryl Haun

Alisha Landry
Kathy Lindenmayer
Dr. Thomas Lindsay
Mary Jay and Peter Michel
Haley Moore
Brooke Morgan
Dr. Anne Perry
The Randolph Foundation
The Grace Jones Richardson Trust
William Ricketts

Jane and Mike Rodgers
Dr. Kathy Scherler
Dr. Diana Senechal
Dr. Dennis and Sandy Slattery
Melissa Starr
Dr. Fred and Mei Lin Turner
Nicole Ulery
Martha and Bill Vansyckle
Adrienne Wagner
Mary Wohlleb
The M.B. and Edna Zale Foundation