Summer break provides teachers with a much-needed reprieve. It's a time to unwind, relax poolside, and invest in professional development at a leisurely pace. A fantastic way to learn during this downtime is by diving into captivating books and exploring insightful online courses. To assist in your summer learning journey, I'm sharing some must-read books and course suggestions that can help revamp your teaching strategies and inspire fresh ideas.
Essential Summer Reads for Teachers
1. Crush It from the Start: 50 Tips for New Teachers
Authors: Matthew Rhoads Ed.D, Samantha Fecich Ph.D., Casey Thomas Jakubowski Ph.D., Kevin Leichtman Ph.D.
For teachers seeking practical advice and guidance to navigate their teaching careers, this guide is invaluable. Authored by experienced educators, it covers topics ranging from classroom management to lesson planning.
2. Digital PD for Educators
Authors: Dr. Matthew Woods and Dr. Samantha Fecich
This book provides an excellent walkthrough on how digital professional development opportunities can enhance teaching strategies. It guides you through setting up various social media platforms and using them effectively for professional growth.
3. EdTech Essentials: The Top 10 Technology Strategies for All Learning Environments
Author: Monica Burns
To equip students to be responsible edtech citizens, Dr. Monica Burns's book is essential. It offers contemporary research, practical examples, reflection questions, and digital tools for immediate classroom use.
4. The AI Classroom: The Ultimate Guide to Artificial Intelligence in Education
Authors: Dan Fitzpatrick, Amanda Fox, Brad Weinstein
Discover practical ways to incorporate AI tools into teaching. Learn how AI can create inclusive, accessible learning environments, facilitate personalized learning, and save time.
Online Courses for Teachers
In addition to books, consider enrolling in online courses to develop new skills and stay updated on the latest educational research. Here are a few suggestions:
- Eduspire offers online graduate courses for educators.
- Microsoft's Educator Courses provide self-paced professional development.
- ISTE certification for tech-savvy educators.
- Simple K12 for a wide array of teacher courses.
Don't forget to tune into the enlightening podcasts on the Education Podcast Network to keep your professional development journey going!
Summer is the perfect time to invest in yourself and your professional growth. These resources should help rejuvenate your teaching practice, ready to inspire a new class in August.
Guest Author: Dr. Samantha Fecich, host EduMagic: Future Teacher Podcast
