Refreshing Summer PD Opportunities
We’re deep into summer and hopefully you are feeling relaxed and far removed from the hustle of the school year. Whether you are a classroom teacher or an educator working beyond the classroom, summer can be a great time to leisurely pursue some of your professional interests with summer professional development for teachers.
But don’t worry— taking advantage of professional development opportunities doesn’t have to mean long summer days spent in conference rooms or in front of the computer. There are lots of PD activities that can also help you relax and enjoy your summer.
Examples of Summer Professional Development for Teachers
Below, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite rejuvenating ideas for summer professional development
1. Go Deep Into Content
During the school year, it’s so hard to spend time on our professional learning. During the summer, you can leisurely dive into learning about topics that interest you. Consider participating in one (or more!) of these ideas for summer professional development for teachers.
Learning for Justice: Professional Development
Learning for Justice (formerly Teaching Tolerance) has a great collection of resources, workshops, and self-guided learning opportunities focused on fostering inclusive, equitable, and anti-racist classrooms.
KQED Teach: Expand Your Media Literacy Skills
These free classes for educators focus on learning and extending teachers’ media skills. Learn about video production, podcasting, interactive media production, and more. This is one of our favorite resources for professional development for teachers online!
2. Take Care of You: Self Care for Teachers
Yes, self-care is part of summer professional development for teachers. If we can develop solid self-care strategies during the summer, we’ll be more likely to take them into the new school year.
Banish Burnout
The best time to conquer burnout is by acknowledging it and making a plan for how to move forward. In this blog series, I walk you through how to banish burnout by tuning into what you really want, resting, honoring your feelings, and fueling your passion.
Use Headspace (for free!)
Start— or continue— a personal mindfulness practice and/or learn how to bring mindfulness into your classroom. Educators get a free subscription to hundreds of meditations, resources to help you get a better night’s sleep, and even online workouts. Mindfulness is one of the most powerful self-care activities for teachers.
3. Get Inspired
Whether it’s reading a book or listening to podcasts, hearing what other educators are up to can spark so many ideas. Even better? You can do this type of summer professional development for teachers from just about anywhere (even the beach!).
Listen to Podcasts
This post from Edutopia is all about taking control of your professional learning, but my favorite part is the list of the best podcasts for teachers at the end. I’ll definitely be adding some of these to my playlist!
Summer 2022 Reads for Teachers
One of my favorite summer activities is to sit down with a good book. Check out our collection of the best summer reads for teachers and let us know what books you’re diving into this summer.
4. Expand Your Impact
Summer is the perfect time to find work beyond the classroom. There is so much brilliance going on in every classroom. What if we shared that amazing work with others and really expanded our impact? That just might be the most powerful form of summer professional development for teachers.
That is my dream— to empower teachers to own and share their expertise. If you’re eager to find jobs for teachers outside of the classroom or dream of starting your own education business, then join us this summer in the Beyond the Classroom course and join an inspiring community ready to cheer you on.
Beyond the Classroom Course
If you’re looking to find work in education that is flexible and meaningful, this course is for you! Learn how to get started as a curriculum developer, education consultant, online teacher, coach, and lots more.
Get Started With Summer Professional Development for Teachers
No matter what your professional interests are, there are plenty of opportunities for summer professional development for teachers. From workshops and online courses to books, podcasts and self-care, you can easily build a summer that is as educational as it is rejuvenating.
What PD opportunities would you add to this list? Whether it’s a book you’re reading, a course you’re taking, or a workshop you’re attending, I’d love to hear!
Share your favorite PD resources in the comments below!