As testing comes to a close, the next big event for educators on the horizon is summer vacation. Yes, fill your schedule with cookouts and sunbathing, but also make time for some professional development this break.
To help you stay sharp while getting that much-needed vitamin D, we have a gathered a list of professional development activities geared towards teachers, offered for free or at relatively low-cost.
Grab Your Tents: Time to Go Ed-Camping
Okay, so for most of these edcamp events you probably won’t need a tent, but they are often full of multi-day events (so pack snacks).
If you are looking to dive deep into early education topics this summer, PBS is hosting a free edcamp event in New York City where educators are encouraged to collaborate with other schools and home-based teachers to share practices and develop skills. Maybe wrap it around a trip to the Big Apple to see Times Square while building some early education teaching curriculum?
For all you technology enthusiasts in California, CUE, an association that supports educators in the use of technology, has both free and paid events this summer. They have three “Summer RockStar Teacher Camps” for both teachers and administrators that run at about $179 dollars for two days. They are also hosting SuperCUE, a free event for superintendents if they “select” you to come.
Get Started Coding
With computer science spreading across K-12 districts in the United States, the summer might be a great time for teachers to brush up on their coding skills.
Code.org is working with partners across the United States to bring one-day workshops to K-5 teachers. They also have some one-week workshops for middle and high schools educators. These workshops are followed up with five daylong events throughout the school year, but teachers must apply to take part. (Click on the pins on the Code.org training map to find a professional development opportunity near you.)
A Big Tech Summer
Whether you are Google “certified” or Apple “distinguished” there is always more to learn about those endless software updates from the tech giants. Some are even opening their stores to offer free professional development opportunities to teachers.
Both Apple and Microsoft have associates in their store locations to offer free workshops to help educators use their tools. Microsoft workshops are taught by certified Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) experts and offer an MIE credit—it’s worth what you make of it—for attending the workshop. Talk with the Community Development Specialist at your local Microsoft Store to learn more.
While Microsoft is offering credits, Apple is offering badges to educators who use their new professional learning program, Apple Teacher. The free program guides are designed to help teachers make the most of the companies tools— such as MacBooks and Swift Playgrounds— hopefully building up a return on investment.
This summer Apple stores will also host “Teacher Tuesdays” where educators can connect and collaborate on projects. They explore ways to engage students aged 5-18 (with their new iPad of course).
Meanwhile, the folks over at Google are honing in on Arizona. In a partnership with EdTechTeam, they are offering educators several, free, high-intensity daylong professional development sessions across the state throughout the month of June.
Media Literacy Gurus
#RealNews PBS is offering educators a chance to take free media literacy courses this summer. They also invite educators who have exemplified strong media literacy competencies to submit their work portfolios for a PBS certification.
A Free Edtech Conference
“Is this a church service or an edtech conference?” That was the reaction from the crowd last time Chris Emdin, an author and associate professor in the Department of Mathematics, Science, and Technology at Teachers College, Columbia University, spoke at SXSW EDU. This summer, in New York City, Emdin joins a for-teachers-by-teachers conference called EDxEDNYC to deliver another of his signature keynote addresses. Tickets are free.
Have more ideas? Leave us a comment.
