“The spirit of
learning
is marked
by JOY.”

Dr. Donald Cowan


MacMillan Consortium Events for Learning Leaders

August 27, 2025, October 22, 2025, and February 11, 2026



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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.

Founding Donors of The MacMillan Institute’s Pilot Work in the DeSoto ISD

Champion

Lekha Singh

Kyle and Jimmy Galbraith

Guardian

Nina Hutton

The Sapphire Foundation

Sustainer II

Sue Maclay

Sustainer I

Kathy Herring
Dr. Tom Lindsay
Ellen McStay
Danna Orr
Mary Ann Taylor

Judith Ann Abington
Keith Black
Dr. George Cooper
Michael Crivello
Donald Crook

Dennis and Sandy Slattery

Friend

Monica Ashour

Joan Davidow


With gratitude to those who 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

Kyle and Jimmy Galbraith

Betty and Russell Bellamy

Deborah Allen

Polly J. Friess

Ellen McStay
Chris Mikesell
Jenny Mullen
Nancy Pollard
Kim Rice
Drs. Jaina and Raghu Sanga
Dr. Gail Thomas

Dan Boeckman
Dr. George Cooper
Dr. Bainard and Christine Cowan
Nicole and Jared Grabow
Emily Hargrove
Kathy Herring

William Ricketts
Jane and Mike Rodgers
Dr. Kathy Scherler
Dr. Diana Senechal
Dr. Dennis and Sandy Slattery
Marilyn Spencer
Melissa Starr
Mary Ann Taylor
Ronald Thompson
Dr. Fred and Mei Lin Turner
Nicole Ulery
Martha and Bill Vansyckle
Lorraine Vassberg
Adrienne Wagner
Trisha Watson
Mary Wohlleb
The M.B. and Edna Zale Foundation
Lucinda Zamora-Wiley

Kristen Harris
Cheryl Haun
Dr. Jeanne Kamat
TJ Klockenga
Alisha Landry
Lena Liles
Kathy Lindenmayer
Dr. Thomas Lindsay
Andrew Mercurio
Mary Jay and Peter Michel
Haley Moore
Brooke Morgan
Linda Newman
Dr. Anne Perry
Jeanine Powell
Tegwin Pulley
The Randolph Foundation
The Grace Jones Richardson Trust

Anonymous
Jenna Turner Alexander
Dr. Doretha Allen
Monte Anderson
Monica Ashour
Kory Barnett
Lou and Jon Bauman
Keith Black
Sharon Carson
Leesa Condry
Michael Crivello
Noel Dahlby
Joan Davidow
Ann Fields
Dustin Gibson
Suzana Gordon
Karen and Robby Grabow