10 Top Resources for Teachers to Check Out This Summer

Summer is the perfect time for teachers to unwind, recharge, and explore new horizons. It’s also a great time to explore some of the top resources for teachers, from podcasts and books to professional development programs. 

Whether you're simply longing for a well-deserved break from the demands of education, or you’re looking for some inspiration or refreshing professional development, the Educator Forever team has gathered our favorite teacher resources to enhance your summer. 

Our Top Teacher Resources Picks

Get ready to dive into what sparks your interest from this list, and make this summer your best yet! 

Best Podcasts for Teachers (& other audio resources)

There are so many amazing podcasts for teachers and educators available. Whether you want to be inspired on your morning walk or while basking in the sun, just grab your headphones and tune into these top teacher podcasts:

1. Truth for Teachers Podcast 

Check out the Truth for Teachers Podcast to hear about fun, inspiring, and encouraging topics that both encourage and challenge us in education! We enjoy the uplifting conversations and love how they can guide us as teachers to reframe our thinking in helpful ways.

2. Self-compassion exercises (audio) Dr. Kristin Neff

As another school year winds down, it’s important to greet ourselves with compassion and care. Dr. Kristin Neff has been researching self-compassion for over a decade, and through her research, she found that people who are compassionate to themselves are much less likely to be depressed, anxious, and stressed, and more likely to be happy and resilient. Self-compassion is very real and manifests in our bodies. Take the time to practice self-compassion this summer - it’s the ultimate form of self-care for teachers!

“When we soothe our painful feelings with the healing balm of self-compassion, not only are we changing our mental and emotional experience, we’re also changing our body chemistry.” – Dr. Kristin Neff

3. The Cult of Pedagogy Podcast

We love The Cult of Pedagogy Podcast for its amazing ideas and range of topics, including teaching strategies, education reform, educational technology, classroom management, and more! Even if you’re a veteran teacher, you’ll take away something useful from each episode!

4. Too Dope Teachers and a Mic 

Tune into Too Dope Teachers and a Mic to become more knowledgeable about education, race, and power. This enlightening podcast amplifies stories and experiences of communities of color in our schools. It’s sure to inspire you as an educator in the classroom or beyond and is one of the best podcasts for teachers.

5. The Educator Forever Podcast

We love all of the educators and real folks just like you who come on The Educator Forever Podcast to share their career journeys in education, their wisdom, and their ideas. You can achieve the income, impact, and freedom you’ve always dreamed of in education beyond the classroom, and we’re exploring exciting ways to make this happen (while getting honest about the truths of the education system!). We’ve heard our podcast feels “like you’re chatting with a friend in the teacher breakroom!”

TOP-NOTCH CURRICULUM RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS

Want to develop engaging, joyful curriculum? Whether you want to expand your curriculum knowledge for the classroom or are interested in becoming a curriculum developer, check out these top resources for teachers:

6. Unearthing Joy by Dr. Gholdy Muhammed 

Dr. Muhammad believes the ultimate goal of curriculum should be joy, and we couldn’t agree with her more. Her book Unearthing Joy: A Guide to Culturally and Historically Responsive Teaching and Learning explores how joy can enhance learning for all students. With her expert guidance, practical teaching strategies, and model lessons across subjects and grade levels, Dr. Muhammad gives educators invaluable tools for implementation.

7. A Pedagogy of Play from Project Zero 

Ready to transform learning into a playful, meaningful experience? Check out A Pedagogy of Play from Project Zero (You can download it as a free PDF!). We love how this book captures the power of play and how it can transform learning and school culture, helping both adults and students thrive. This wonderful guide is chock-full of resources and tools to use right away in the classroom or within a school and cultivate a culture of joy and play (with great examples across various cultural contexts and ages!).

8. Curriculum Development Foundations Program 

Want to become a curriculum developer this summer? Join the Curriculum Development Foundations Program to learn the pedagogy and practice of curriculum design. This 5-week flexible and empowering program is designed to give you everything you need to develop engaging curriculum, stand out in the job market, and take your career to the next level (whether you’re hoping for flexible or full-time opportunities!). 

Best Books for Teachers 

Want to crack open a good book (or enjoy one on your tablet!) as you cool off by the pool or embark on a road trip? Check out these wonderful teacher resources:

9. Ableism in Education by Gillian Parekh (book)

It’s not a surprise that ability is a central part of schooling. We assess, measure, and pathologize students, and often, when we work inside systems that are inherently ableist, we internalize these oppressive attitudes and beliefs as well. Ableism in Education is an eye-opening, down-to-earth guide that unpacks how ability and disability show up within schooling. Parekh offers practical strategies to move toward responsive and inclusive practices.

10. Journal of Radical Permission by Adrienne Maree Brown & Sonya Renee Taylor (journal) 

This journal is a beautiful invitation to live into our purpose. Journal of Radical Permission is a helpful guide designed to go along with the course Radical Permission but works well as standalone prompts and reflection questions. The journal offers blank pages that call you to embrace your whole self and grow along the way. 

11. (Bonus!) Try out Stackedbooks.org and Bookriot.com (book sites)

We love these two book sites, especially for their awesome recommendations and helpful reviews. You’re bound to find something new, unique, and entertaining to read! (Pro tip: On Stackedbooks.org, we especially love going to the “categories” section to narrow down the great options to whatever you’re feeling at the moment!)

Have Your Own Top Resources for Teachers?

We’re always on the lookout for the top teacher resources out there! If you have a favorite resource, we’d love to hear! Contact us to let us know about it.

And if you need other summer ideas for teachers, be sure to check out some of our favorite posts from summers past, highlighting summer professional development for teachers, summer self-care ideas and ways to leverage your teaching skills this summer.