12 Virtual Support Groups and Forums for Educators

Education professionals are navigating rapidly changing schools, evolving student needs and increasing professional demands with limited time and resources to process these challenges. As a result, the need for strong, reliable support systems is urgent in order to prevent burnout, which teachers and education leaders know too well. 

Virtual support groups and forums exist to meet this need. Together, these virtual communities create powerful frameworks that empower teachers, support their well-being and strengthen the profession overall. 

Since the COVID pandemic forced a remote landscape, more and more teachers are turning to these virtual communities to share experiences, seek advice and connect with others who understand the realities of the profession—ultimately offering a sense of solidarity that can be difficult to find within the day-to-day rhythm of school life. 

As part of the Rutgers Alternate Route Mid-Year Motivation Toolkit, we’ve gathered a list of 12 virtual support groups and forums where you can pose questions, receive advice and get inspired for the second half of the year.

Virtual Support Groups and Forums for Educators

A to Z Teacher Stuff Forum

One of the largest virtual communities for teachers, the A to Z Teacher Stuff Forum hosts thousands of teacher questions and opinions. The focus on peer support fosters a safe place for teachers to ask questions, exchange ideas, vent frustrations, celebrate victories and find encouragement from others who understand the challenges of the profession. Browse new posts, search for a specific topic or add a question to the mix that helps you teach with confidence and stay inspired all year long.


Challenge Success K-12 Community

This LinkedIn group is hosted by Challenge Success, a nonprofit that provides resources for educators, students and parents. As part of LinkedIn’s Groups feature, this private group gives teachers access to a broader network of peers, sparking fresh ideas, igniting creativity or providing emotional support through shared experiences. By joining, you gain access to practical advice, fresh teaching inspiration and peers who truly understand challenges unique to the classroom.


edWeb.net

A one-stop shop for teacher resources, edWeb.net is an award-winning professional learning network for educators that offers vibrant online communities and professional development opportunities. These specialized learning communities are open to pre-K through 12 teachers, librarians and school leaders, plus include access to hundreds of archived webinars and resources on demand.


Google for Education

As part of the Google for Education platform, Google hosts virtual communities for educators of all backgrounds and disciplines. Google Educator Groups (GEGs) in particular provide peer access, while certified-educator programs like Innovator, Trainer and Coach create spaces where educators can connect and grow. Through free webinars, shared resources and local or global events, teachers can refresh their teaching strategies, learn new skills and feel energized during the winter.


Happy Teacher Revolution

A network of teachers, the Happy Teacher Revolution hosts quarterly meetings, plus features in-person and virtual professional development opportunities to help grow support between educators. Founded by a former public-school teacher who experienced firsthand the emotional toll of demanding classrooms, this platform offers tools, training and community support so teachers can help fight burnout by reclaiming their joy, dignity and sense of balance.


McGraw-Hill Communities

The McGraw-Hill Educator Communities portal offers a free online space where teachers can connect with fellow educators, share ideas and learn from collective experience. Through this community, educators can join general-topic discussions or program-specific groups for McGraw-Hill products they use, participate in webinars and workshops and access practical teaching tools, from ready-made lesson-support resources and downloadable materials to grab-and-go tips.


NJ Teacher Ignition

A weekly support group specifically for New Jersey educators, NJ Teacher Ignition meets every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. The region-specific group features rotating topics every meeting, giving teachers an opportunity to dig in deeper while feeling less isolated and more connected with peers who truly understand their struggles.


ProTeacher Community

Established in 1999, ProTeacher Community is one of the longest-running online forums for teachers. The site’s structure offers discussion areas for all grades and subjects, plus off‑topic boards that allow teachers to vent frustrations, celebrate successes and find camaraderie beyond lesson planning. For many teachers, ProTeacher is a place of honest conversation, peer encouragement and shared problem-solving.


r/Teachers

Reddit’s place for teachers boasts approximately 1.5 million visitors per week, making it one of the internet’s biggest places for teacher support. Users in this subreddit often post about tough, emotional situations, where they find empathy, solidarity and practical strategies from fellow teachers who understand the situations. For someone feeling isolated, stressed, or in need of fresh ideas, r/Teachers offers a sense of community and connection that can be re-energizing.


TeachersConnect

A purposeful platform where teachers can prioritize both their well-being and their impact, TeachersConnect not only provides a community, but also free resources and webinars. Engage with real‑life strategies while building a sense of belonging with a community that understands your unique challenges.


The Teacher’s Lounge

A space for educators to have their say, The Teacher’s Lounge features a number of groups, each one focused on a unique topic for teachers to explore. Because the platform emphasizes conversation, open sharing and peer‑to‑peer support, The Teacher’s Lounge offers a space for teachers to vent frustrations, celebrate successes and find solidarity.


We Are Teachers HELPLINE

This private Facebook Group, hosted by We Are Teachers, provides a safe space for educators to connect on common challenges and support one another through them. The informal, peer‑to‑peer format allows for honest sharing in a low‑pressure, supportive environment, which makes it easier for overwhelmed educators to ask for help, express concerns or even celebrate wins with others who understand.

If you’re considering following your dream of teaching, Rutgers Alternate Route can offer you the support and training you need to succeed. Be sure to follow Rutgers Alternate Route on Twitter and sign up for Alternate Route’s monthly newsletter for more information and stories from the field of education.