23 Free & Low Cost Summer Conferences for NJ Teachers
Summer is the perfect time for teachers to invest in themselves and learn something new. With lesson planning and grading on the backburner all summer, teachers can fully indulge their own passion for learning while also growing their professional learning network (PLN). To help you seize this summer’s learning opportunities, 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 PD and grow their PLN this summer.
Summer Workshops offered by NJ Department of Education, Colleges & Universities, and Professional Associations
Master Teacher Institute in Holocaust Education
The Rutgers MTI program is offering a five day training for NJ educators who wish to strengthen their practices in teaching historical content and advance the critical literacy of their students, while learning from Holocaust scholars who are actively engaged in research.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.
Understanding of the Holocaust and Social Justice
This week-long summer institute hosted by CHHANGE at Brookdale Community College gives educators the opportunity to study local issues of social justice and civil rights, with an emphasis on culturally responsive pedagogy. The New Jersey Summer Seminar is free; however, an application process is required for attendance.
NJEA Summer Professional Learning Institute
The professional learning experiences offered this summer by the NJEA are designed to help educators reimagine their teaching. Teachers can elect to learn the Art of Participatory Leadership, develop skills in Design Thinking, advance their knowledge of the Understanding by Design framework. and/or bring the maker movement into their classrooms. Register for this Institute and start “Designing the schools we deserve!”
At this highly affordable workshop, you can spend all day learning about SMARTBoards or divide your time building proficiency with Google Classroom, integrating STEAM Across the Curriculum, using Edmodo, learning about Virtual Reality, and planning for a MakerSpace classroom. This learning event is held at Stockton University and co-sponsored by the Southern Regional Institute and Educational Technology Training Center (SRI&ETTC) and Stockton University Master of Arts in Instructional Technology Program
2017 Amistad Commission Summer Institute for Teachers
Work in collaboration with knowledgeable historians and scholars at this year’s Amistad Commission Summer Institute for Teachers. Attendees will experience multimedia history-based presentations and using primary resource materials provided by the Amistad Commission and its team of experts in the field. The institute’s content will focuses on topics relevant to America’s history with the African-American experience.
Southern Region
Northern Region
Summer Business, Finance and Marketing Teacher Institute
College and Career Readiness is every teacher’s business, so consider registering for this three-day workshop offered by the New Jersey Department of Education’s (NJDOE) Office of Career Readiness, in collaboration with Rutgers Business School. In addition to business & finance topics, the Institute will offer sessions addressing Project-Based Learning; How to Succeed in College; How to Prepare Students for College and Career; and more.
Summer 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 summer, and all within driving distance of NJ.
EdCamp Exit 8A-Learning to Lead: Leading to Learn
NJPSA/FEA, NJASCD, and The Madison Institute are teaming up to host the 2nd annual EdCamp Exit 8A. Open to teachers, principals and district leaders, seats at this EdCamp go quickly, so register right away.
This event is limited to 300 participants, so reserve your seat immediately. Like at every EdCamp, the day will consist of participant-driven professional learning. Coordinators promise attendees are shore to learn at this year’s EdCamp
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. Morning sessions are capped at 20 minutes, keeping to the event principles of fast moving, tech sharing, friend making, & never boring. What’s more?... Anyone can share!!!
Requests for this year’s follow up Edcamp Hershey began before last year’s conference even finished. What can be better than learning in this sweet setting?
Local Workshops & Conferences
SB Summer Technology & Learning Conference 2017
The South Brunswick Summer Technology & Learning Conference (TLC) was inspired by educators who are passionate about sharing and learning innovative ways for teaching students how to search, think deeply, invent and self-direct their own learning. This day was designed for educators to come together for an inspiring day of new ideas, conversation and collaboration.
EdTech Team is offering a two day-long conference will focus on deploying, integrating and using Google Apps for Education and other Google learning tools. The conference, comprised of keynote speakers and breakout sessions, is co-hosted with Parsippany Hills -Troy District.
NJAET's Summer #TechSplash 2017
The 2017 #TechSplash offers teachers and IT professionals an opportunity to learn new skills and practice using technology in a relaxed atmosphere.Topics include Twitter, iMovie, Google Classroom, Google Apps and more! This is a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) day. Free WiFi will be provided.
All Things Google Conference 2017
On August 2nd, educators from across NJ will come together for a one day training that will immerse them in Google tools and implementation strategies. This learning event co-sponsored by the Southern Regional Institute and Educational Technology Training Center (SRI&ETTC) will be held on the campus of Stockton University.
Learning Forward NJ Summer Conference 2017
Attendees at this summer’s Learning Forward NJ conference will enjoy an eclectic mix of professional experiences. The conference will feature traditional sessions, unconference-conversations, and short ignite presentations. Alex Kajitani will keynote this innovative learning experience.
Games in Education Symposium is a two-day event focusing on the use of technology to supplement & inspire education in the classroom. The symposium has run annually since 2007 and is free for educators to attend.
Improving Your World Language Teaching
This interactive, hands-on workshop series will explore current best practices in the teaching of World Languages. Topics will include the World Readiness Standards for Learning Languages, the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines, and current Second Language Acquisition theories and concrete best practices. West Morris Central High School is the location for this conference.
National Conferences
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 tech event for innovative educators, thought leaders and education companies.
NEA Conference on Racial & Social Justice
The goal of the conference is to provide a unique space for educators, students, parents & families, organizers, community members & leaders to unite for the advancement of Justice in Education. Through interactive workshops, sessions, panels and plenaries, attendees will have the opportunity to access information, resources, plan, strategize and engage on issues that impact educational opportunities for communities of color, LGBTQ and women.
2017 ASCD Conference on Teaching Excellence
The 2017 Conference on Teaching Excellence promises proven solutions, game-changing ideas, and the tools you need to transform student learning. ASCD warns educators that this is a roll-up-your-sleeves professional learning experience, so be prepared to be hands-on.
NCTM Interactive Institutes Summer 2017
NCTM will hold two intensive workshops this summer to help educators gain in-depth mathematics education knowledge and learn practical classroom strategies to promote student success.. Designed for pre-K–grade 12 teachers and school leaders, these interactive institutes include Facilitating Meaningful Mathematical Discourse (July 17-19) and Supporting Students’ Productive Struggle (July 20-22)
International Literacy Association 2017 Conference
Thousands of education professionals will convene annually at the International Literacy Association Conference & Exhibits to discover new teaching methods, materials, and tools for literacy development. Their 300+ sessions and 200+ exhibitors to draw 6,000+ attendees each year
AFT TEACH (Together Educating America’s Children) 2017
This biennial event brings educators together for in-depth, hands-on experiences that provide them with concrete strategies, tools and materials they can use in the classroom to meet students’ needs. Session offerings include two- or four-hour intensive hands-on Boot Camp sessions; along with thought-provoking plenary speakers. Plenty of formal and informal networking sessions are also part of the event.
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.
