20+ Must-Attend Education Conferences for NJ Teachers Fall 2017 Edition
Back to School season signals a new year of learning not only for students but for teachers as well. That's why Rutgers Center for Effective School Practices is making it easier than ever for New Jersey's teachers to find professional learning opportunities this fall. We have compiled a list of offerings hosted by national and state professional associations, as well as local universities and grassroots education groups. While the list features primarily free and low-cost events, some of the workshops, conferences and trainings may require a financial investment from your district. With such diverse options, we trust that you will be able to find something that suits your budget, schedule and professional interests.
These primarily free and low-cost conferences are perfect for NJ teachers and educators looking to advance their PD and grow their PLN this fall.
Fall Workshops offered by NJ Department of Education, Colleges & Universities, and Professional Associations
The Rutgers MTI program is offering a series of evening trainings on Holocaust education to NJ educators. Participants strengthen their practices in teaching historical content and advance the critical literacy of their students, while learning from Holocaust scholars who are actively engaged in research. This institute is hosted at the Bildner Center of Rutgers University on Wednesdays from 4:30pm - 7:30pm. Dinner is provided.
Location: New Brunswick, NJ
Dates: September 13 - December 6, 2017
Pricing: Free
Kindergarten Educator's Conference 2017
The 2017 Kindergarten Educator’s conference offers early childhood teachers an opportunity to network with peers while increasing their awareness of the best practices for advancing learning for kindergarten students. The conference will explore the importance of engaging each of the 5 senses in instructional activities. It will also feature a discussion about the pros and cons of 21st century technology and promises at toolkit of activities to use instantly in your classroom.
Location: Colonia, NJ
Dates: September 16, 2017
Pricing: $15 - $45
This day-long workshop hosted by New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) seeks to help school districts enrich student learning in the STEAM areas. The NJ Department of Education, the NJ Arts Education Partnership and Rock and Roll Forever Foundation are among its featured partners. Attendance is is free; however, registration is required.
Location: Trenton, NJ
Dates: September 19, 2017
Pricing: Free
Early Educator's Conference 2017
This professional learning experience offered by the NJEA is designed to help new teachers launch their careers on a solid foundation. The event is open to all new teachers; however complimentary admissions is restricted to NJEA members only. Breakfast and Lunch are provided.
Location: Teaneck, NJ
Dates: September 23, 2017
Pricing: Free
2017 Autumn Outdoor Conference
Presented by the Association for Environmental Education, this conference offers a day full of programs for educators who are invested in environmental stewardship. It will include indoor and outdoor sessions designed to educate and inspire teachers at various stages of their journey as environmental stewards.
Location: Hillsborough, NJ
Dates: September 29, 2017
Pricing: $60
Association of Arts Educator Conference 2017
Join with state arts educators in a learning experience dedicated to improving visual arts instruction in New Jersey’s schools. The Association of Arts Educators of New Jersey (AENJ) will convene a 3-day conference at the Jersey Shore, exploring exemplary arts education practices and methodologies supported by research and aligned with best practices.
Location: Long Branch, NJ
Dates: October 1-3, 2017
Pricing: $135 - $185
BrandED-Tell Your Story, Build Relationships, and Empower Learning
When schools are well-supported, students flourish.Why not improve public support for your school? The Center for Effective School Practices (CESP) invites you to take stock of what your students are achieving and tell your story often and with pride. Join BrandED authors Eric Sheninger and Trish Rubin, and Weehawken Superintendent Dr. Rob Zywicki as they share specific strategies on how to promote connectivity, transparency, and community to build a positive culture that extends beyond the schoolhouse door.
Location: Somerset, NJ
Dates: October 9, 2017
Pricing: $450
Health and Physical Education teachers can join with colleagues this fall for a full day of workshops addressing their unique professional needs. Hosted by NJAHPERD, this highly interactive professional gathering will explore current technologies utilized in innovative PE & Health classes and strategies for keeping fitness F-U-N for students. .
Location: Atlantic City, NJ
Dates: October 19, 2017
Pricing: $25
At this conference, you can spend all day developing expertise on topics such as personalized learning, successful PD models, digital citizenship, the latest edtech tools, coding, robotics, and much more. Event sponsors Tech & Learning magazine and TechLearning.com promise an engaging and intimate setting, expert presentations, and plenty of networking opportunities.
Location: Princeton, NJ
Dates: October 20, 2017
Pricing: $235 - $315
Learning Disabilities Association NJ Conference 2017
This highly affordable conference is convened to help educators better serve students with
learning disabilities and attention issues. In addition to a rich range of break out session offerings, the conference features a keynote address by Nelson Lauver, who challenges his audience of educators to be “that teacher who is remembered for opening a child's mind.” This learning event is held at Middlesex Community College.
Location: Edison, NJ
Dates: October 21, 2017
Pricing: $25 - $50
Teaching the 3R's: Rights, Reforms & Regions
Engage with the most current knowledge, ideas, research and expertise in social studies education at this year’s Annual conference hosted by the NJ Council for the Social Studies. Attendees will experience dynamic and provocative keynotes as well as engaging breakout sessions presentations which highlight best practices that attendees can take back to their classrooms and put into action.
Location: Piscataway, NJ
Dates: October 23, 2017
Pricing: $25 - $105
With more than 75 scheduled workshops, this annual event is not just a conference; it’s a convention. Touted as the best professional development opportunity in the Mid-Atlantic area for science educators, the convention encourages participation of teachers, administrators, and student interns. Get a handle on the Next Generation Science Standards, while stocking your toolkit with ideas and strategies to excite students about science.
Location: Princeton, NJ
Dates: October 24 - 25, 2017
Pricing: $175 - $275
2017 Association of Math Teachers of NJ Conference
Work in collaboration with Math educator colleagues at this year’s Association of Math Teachers of NJ (AMTNJ) Conference. Attendees can look forward to expanding their ability to advance Growth Mindsets in Mathematics and increasing the preparedness for Implementing the New NJ Mathematics Standards.The conference line-up includes 80 workshops targeting the needs of math educators of students at every level. Whether you teach math to P-3 students, upper elementary and middle school students, as well as junior high and high school students, AMTNJ’s conference has you covered..
Location: East Windsor, NJ
Dates: October 26 - 27, 2017
Pricing: $175 - $295
NJCTE is offering an autumn refresher to help Teachers of English implement their literacy agenda with gusto. Join literacy teaching peers at Princeton's Chapin School and indulge in an array of mini-presentations and traditional PD workshops featuring writing, literacy, intellectual freedom, and publishing. This half-day event is perfectly-timed and reasonably priced, making it an accessible professional learning option for busy educators on a budget.
Location: Princeton, NJ
Dates: October 28, 2017
Pricing: $20
Fall EdCamps
Edcamps are participant-driven professional learning experiences that allow content to emerge organically as an “unconference” format. We’ve compiled a list of Edcamps taking place this fall, and all within driving distance of NJ.
SRI & ETTC are teaming up with Stockton University to host EdCamp South Jersey. Open to current and prospective educators, conveners of this EdCamp invite you to share innovative strategies, ideas, and challenges during a day of connected teaching and learning.
Galloway, NJ
Date: September 23, 2017
Pricing: Free
This event is caters to educators who work as district or school administrators or who hold an administration certification. Nevertheless, Edcamp Newark Leadership is also open to all central office and school-based administrators, teacher leaders and aspiring leaders.. Like at every EdCamp, the day will consist of participant-driven professional learning.
Location: Newark, NJ
Date: September 23, 2017
Pricing: Free
Hosted by East Brunswick Public Schools, EdCamp Exit 9 is an opportunity for parents, community members, and educators to come together to learn about how to help students achieve more. No matter what role you play in the student learning process, trust that there will be a session for you.
Location: East Brunswick, NJ
Date: October 21, 2017
Pricing: Free
Edcamp Glotown returns this fall courtesy of Sicklerville Public Schools. Mark your calendar for this day of learning for area K-12 educators who wish to share ideas and resources or raise questions and awareness. Whatever your purpose for attending, conveners hope you're able to take away some great tools, resources or information to help students!
Location: Sicklerville, NJ
Date: October 21, 2017
Pricing: Free
New to the EdCamp offerings in NJ is EdCampHAT focusing on Humanities and Technology. EdCampHAT is intended for K-12 educators who are interested in sharing best practices related to humanities content, using technology in the classroom, student choice, student voice, problem-based learning (PBL), and personalized learning. Do not miss the debut of this uniquely-focused unconference.
Location: Sussex, NJ
Date: November 4, 2017
Pricing: Free
Parlez-vous francais? Habla espanol? That's the extent of most of students' foreign language proficiency in our nation. And that's why conveners of EdCampWL are calling all teachers of foreign language! This event will focus on offering innovative pedagogical discussions to K-12 world language teachers from across the tri-state area. Attendees will return home from EdCampWL with strategies for strengthening foreign language instruction and solid practices for advancing foreign language acquisition among students.
Location: Edison, NJ
Date: October 14, 2017
Pricing: Free
National Conferences
2017 ASCD Conference on Educational Leadership
This three day education technology conference and expo is jampacked with 1,000 professional development sessions of varying formats. With more than 16,000 attendees annually, this event is considered by many the premier professional event for innovative educators, thought leaders and education companies.
Location: Kissimmee, FL
Dates: October 27-29, 2017
Pricing: $463-$532
Merging Minds & Technology Conference
At this conference, educators will delve into the ways neuroscience and technology intersect to increase student engagement and learning. Virtual reality, robotics, makerspaces, and classroom redesign are just a few of the topics the conference will address. If you're a 21st Century educator who wants to eliminate rows of desks, ban teacher-centered instruction, and eradicate boredom in classrooms, then this neuroscience-focused technology conference may be for you.
Location: Boston, MA
Dates: November 10-12, 2017
Pricing: $599
2017 Annual Learning Forward Conference
Prioritize your own learning at this year's Learning Forward Conference. Touted as THE conference on advancing educator professional learning, this gathering brings together inspiring practitioners and thoughtful leaders to investigate the most pressing teaching and learning challenges, while sharing insights and networking with colleagues. Attend for a single day or multiple days. There is a participation plan to fit every schedule and budget.
Location: Orlando, FL
Dates: December 2 - 6, 2017
Pricing: $190 - $995
ACTFL Annual Convention and World Languages Expo 2017
The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) will hold a three-day conference this fall to help educators gain in-depth foreign language pedagogy knowledge and learn practical classroom strategies to promote student success. Designed for pre-K–grade 12 teachers and school leaders, this event promises proven solutions, game-changing ideas, and the tools you need to transform student learning in foreign language courses.
Location: Nashville, TN
Dates: November 17 -19, 2017
Pricing: $230-$450
Stay Woke:National Black Male Educators Conference
While recent headlines highlight the absence of Black men from our nation's classrooms, the Stay Woke conference seeks to address this phenomenon. Conveners of this inaugural conference invite all educators to join in the fight for education equity, as they meet to advance policy, hear from experts and amplify the voices of Black male educators from the classroom to the community. All are welcome. Former U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King, Democrats for Education Reform President Shavar Jeffries, Former D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson, and the legendary Dr. Howard Fuller will all be a part of the dialogue.
Location: : Philadelphia, PA
Dates: October 15-17, 2017
Pricing: $50 - $100
Heather Ngoma has over 25 years of experience collaborating with educators across New Jersey to drive education innovation. She currently serves as the Director of the Rutgers-GSE Alternate Route Program in the Department of Learning and Teaching, a program which helps career changers, recent college graduates, and other aspiring education professionals become licensed teachers in New Jersey. Follow her on Twitter @heatherngoma.
