10 Must-Attend Education Conferences for NJ Teachers | Summer 2020 Edition

After spending the spring season in quarantine while teaching remotely, teachers can finally welcome summer and use it to invest in themselves by learning something new. Summer is one of the few opportunities that teachers get to fully indulge their own passion for learning without the competing priorities that come with classroom teaching responsibilities. To help you seize this summer’s learning opportunities and simultaneously grow your professional learning network (PLN), we’ve compiled a list of local and national conferences where you can advance your professional practice.

Think about how you might incorporate these primarily free and low-cost workshops, conferences, and trainings into your plans for summer trips to the Shore, extended book reading, and other relaxation activities!
These primarily free and low-cost conferences are perfect for NJ teachers and educators looking to advance their professional learning and grow their PLN this summer. Best of all, you can attend each of them from the comfort of your own home.

Edcamp of the Poconos 2020
esu.edu/edcamp/index.cfm 

After an unusual school year of navigating the unexpected, what could be better than going camping in the Poconos? EdCamping with EdCamp of the Poconos host East Stroudsburg University, of course! This online professional gathering requires no gas, tolls or parking searches. Just click your way to the premiere destination in Northeast Pennsylvania and enjoy a full-day edcamp experience in the Pocono Mountains.  

Location: Virtual
Dates: June 30, 2020
Pricing: Free          
 

Building Culturally Relevant Schools with Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings
pbswisconsineducation.org/events

Culturally relevant teaching has become increasingly important as student diversity grows in schools. However, not every teacher fully understands what it means to make instruction culturally relevant for students. This is your chance to get it right. Spend an hour with nationally recognized education researcher Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings while she clarifies what culturally relevant teaching entails and shares her vision for post-COVID-19 education. This webinar is provided courtesy of PBS Wisconsin.

Location: Virtual
Dates: June 30, 2020
Pricing: Free
 

Teacher Wellbeing Webinar: Stress management and self-care    
Tickets here

While teaching is rewarding, it is a notoriously demanding occupation. Teachers are tied with nurses for the level of stress they experience in their jobs. Sure, they get summers off which gives them time to recover from the many tasks they perform and roles they play during the academic year. However, they need more than just summers off for sustainability in the profession. Teachers need a strategic wellness plan that will keep them around for the long haul and preserve their drive to lead the development of our nation's youth. Invite every teacher you know to register for this wellness webinar addressing teacher self-care.

Location: Virtual
Dates: July 7, 2020
Pricing: Free    
 

Leading Anti-Racist Schools Summit
Tickets here 

Educators globally have been affected by the worldwide resistance activities demanding change to the systemic practices that oppress Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC). In the U.S., educators across the nation are deepening their commitment to learning more about the history of racism in our country, engaging in tough conversations about race, and aligning themselves with anti-racist activism. If any of these activities are a part of your goals as an educator, be sure to participate in this summit addressing the strategies for leading anti-racist schools.  

Location: Virtual
Dates: July 8, 2020
Pricing: Free    
 

EdCampMath
edcamp.org/content/edcamp-math-2020-online

What do you mean you're not a math person? Everyone is a math person and EdCampMath will show you why. EdCampMath brings together educators from all areas of the curriculum to inspire and challenge participants to see math in new and exciting ways. If you use numbers, dabble in possibilities and make decisions, then you're a math person and EdCampMath is for you. Typically held in Texas, this year's EdCampMath is online and accessible to all!

Location: Virtual
Dates: July 22, 2020
Pricing: Free
 

Edcamp Georgetown 
edcamp.org/content/edcamp-georgetown-2020-online

For east coast teachers Georgetown is a university, but for our southern educators, Georgetown is a vacation destination located in the heart of Texas. Plan your online getaway to Georgetown and join passionate educators from around the world to discuss K-12 education issues and share innovative strategies and ideas at this year’s virtually hosted EdCamp Georgetown. 

Location: Virtual
Dates: July 28, 2020
Pricing: Free  
     

Teachers Matter Online Summit    
Tickets here 
 
What do you get when you mix three days, important topics like SEL and PBL, and top educational speakers? Attend the Teachers Matter Online Summit and let us know. New to our radar, this professional gathering promises a robust exchange of practical ideas and strategies in a 3 day online summit for educators at all levels. We can't wait to learn more about this multi-day offering.    

Location: Virtual
Dates: July 16 - 19, 2020    
Pricing: Free

United EdTech Virtual Conference    
bit.ly/unitededtechconference

Gimmicks be gone! The increasing availability of EdTech has led to greater student engagement; however it's also masked mediocre teaching in some instances where edtech is emphasized over good pedagogy. This unprecedented gathering targets  BIPOC (Black and Indigenous People of Color) educators for the purpose of improving student learning through effective teaching practices that leverage technology use. Join the dialogue!

Location: Virtual
Dates: July 17-18, 2020    
Pricing: $13
 

EdCamp Leander 2020    
Tickets here

If we know nothing else, we know that the 2020-2021 school year is getting a makeover and will look very different from any other we've experienced. Educators, parents, and community members are invited to discuss the upcoming school year and the possibilities for teaching in a hybrid format while ensuring student success, parent collaboration and professional collegial interaction.  Jump online for this virtual edcamp and join the discussion.

Location: Virtual
Dates: Aug 1, 2020
Pricing: Free

TeachMeetNJ     
teachmeetnj.com

TeachMeetNJ 2020 is going virtual, giving educators globally a chance to participate! Similar to an edcamp, TeachMeet is an unconference event which encourages teachers to share their knowledge of tech or Web 2.0 tools that might benefit colleagues. This summer’s gathering  promises to be an exciting day of tech sharing and friend making! Sessions will address effective instructional practices, technology in the classroom, working with parents, and other important topics that will help new and veteran teachers thrive and not just survive in the unpredictable 2020-2021 school year. 

Location: Virtual
Dates: Aug 7, 2020
Pricing: Free