Keeping Your Edge this Summer
Now that summer is here, you may be wondering what to do with all of your free time. Sure there are a few hobbies and perhaps a well-earned trip to a fun destination. But like your students, you’ll want to avoid summer learning loss and engage in some professional development to keep your teaching edge.
Here are a few suggestions to help you keep your education edge:
Attend a Pedagogy Conference
There are many reasons to go to a pedagogy conference for professional development. You can meet with your peers, learn about the latest trends in teaching, and of course, travel to a destination that you may want to visit.
Here are several of the many pedagogy conferences that are on the docket for the summer including:
- EdTechTeacher Workshops: throughout the summer in various locations
- Schools to Watch Conference: June 22-25 in Arlington, VA
- ASCD Conference on Teaching Excellent: July 8-10 in New Orleans, LA
- WLU Literacies for All: July 14-16 in St. Louis, MO
- NSTA 2016 Summer Institute: July 15 in Reno, NV
- Fusion 2016: July 18-19 in Washington, DC
Take a Summer Course at a Local University or College
Most teachers are also avid learners. What better way to sharpen your teaching edge than to strengthen your knowledge in your topical area. Perhaps even learn about something completely new, a tangential topic such as incorporating social media and internet technology into your workflow. The point is to expand your thinking and your capabilities so that you begin the new school year with an expanded knowledge base.
Read this Summer
Maybe you don’t want to go to a conference or attend a class. Maybe you just want to enjoy your summer at a leisurely pace and do some reading. Educators like you often take summer as an opportunity to read up on the latest industry trends. Envision Chief Academic Officer Andrew Potter recently curated five must-read books for educators. Check them out!
What suggestions would you add?