Summer is almost here, which means it’s time to start thinking about ways to keep your teaching skills sharp during the break. Luckily, there are plenty of online professional development opportunities and summer learning ideas that can help you grow as an educator while still enjoying your time off. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Attend a virtual conference

One of the great things about online professional development is that you can attend conferences and workshops from the comfort of your own home. Many organizations now offer virtual conferences, which allow you to learn from experts in your field and connect with other educators without having to travel. Some conferences even offer recordings of sessions, so you can watch them at your own pace. Be sure to save the date for Camp Promethean 2023!

Teacher participating in online professional development during the summer.
Portrait of happy motivated smiling hipster student learning for a test or an exam at high school library desk while sitting turn backwards and looking at the camera.

Take an online course

There are plenty of online courses available that can help you improve your teaching skills. Whether you want to learn about a specific subject area, technology, or pedagogy, there’s likely a course out there that can help. Look for courses that are self-paced or have flexible schedules, so you can fit them into your summer schedule. Learn Promethean offers many free opportunities to learn at your own pace.

Join a professional learning community

Online professional learning communities (PLCs) are a great way to connect with other educators and share ideas. Many organizations and educational groups offer online PLCs that you can join, or you can start your own group with colleagues or friends. You can discuss teaching strategies, share resources, and offer support and advice to one another.

Read professional development books

Summer is a great time to catch up on reading, and there are plenty of books out there that can help you grow as a teacher. Look for books on topics like classroom management, assessment, or technology integration, or choose a book that focuses on your specific subject area. You can also join an online book club to discuss the book with other educators.

Try something new

Experiment with new teaching strategies or technology tools this summer. Maybe you’ve been wanting to try flipped learning or project-based learning, or maybe you want to explore a new tool.

Remember, summer learning doesn’t have to be boring or stressful. With these ideas, you can have fun while still growing as an educator. Happy learning!