24 Must-Attend Education Conferences and Webinars for New Jersey Educators

As the end of the school year creeps closer, it’s easy to lose sight of professional-development opportunities.

Conferences and webinars are simple ways to brush up on best practices, discover new methods to connect with students, network with other professionals and much more. Even better? Many professional-development events are free to attend!

As a gift to our educator community, we’ve put in the work and rounded up 24 spring conferences and webinars, from March to May. The majority of these opportunities are virtual and free, making professional development accessible for all. 
 

All event times are Eastern Standard Time. 

March

Trauma-Informed Education and Promoting Resilience in the Classroom
Online 
March 21
11 a.m. - noon 
Free

In 2020, students experienced trauma of varying degrees as COVID-19 brought uncertainty into their world. Since then, a bigger focus has been put on the various traumas students face. This virtual event focuses on the six key principles of trauma-informed care proposed by the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
 

Spirit of Education 
Virtual 
March 25
5 - 6 p.m. 
Free

This free webinar explores the joy of learning and how to foster the spirit of education, even after completing formal schooling. Education Designer Chanah Wainer and Gabrielle Martin discuss what it means to realign with the deeper spirit of education.
 

Finding the Right Tools for Online Teaching
Virtual 
March 27
Noon - 1 p.m. 
Free

Virtual tools and strategies have opened up new possibilities for learning. In Finding the Right Tools for Online Teaching, Mel - a remote classroom teacher - goes through the best virtual tools and teaching tips.
 

How To Do Human Rights Education
Virtual 
March 27
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 
Free

International human rights education scholar Dr. Audrey Osler leads this free webinar that focuses on human rights education (HRE). Learn how to integrate HRE into courses and how to change attitudes of intolerance.

The Right to General Education for Special Education Students
Virtual
March 29 
7:30 - 8:30 p.m. 
Free

Learn how to make general education classrooms more accessible for students with disabilities. The webinar covers a number of topics, including guidelines for measuring performance, legal framework and research for educating students with disabilities, ways to support social-emotional development and more.  
 

2023 Distance Education Conference 
Mercer Institute 
March 31
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. 
$25

The New Jersey Distance Education Affinity Group is putting on its first conference. The 2023 Distance Education Conference will introduce attendees to technological innovation, research and practical and effective pedagogical practices related to virtual learning.

April

9th Annual Progressive Public & Charter Job Fair for Teachers of Color
Virtual 
April 1
Noon - 2 p.m. 
Free

The purpose of this virtual job fair is to connect progressive educators of color with progressive schools that share their educational beliefs, values and goals. Attendees have an opportunity to connect in-person with school leaders and representatives, increasing their chances of being hired.

Advocating for Teaching Honest History: What Educators Can Do
Virtual 
April 4
6 - 7:30 p.m. 
$15

This 90-minute webinar equips educators with practical tools and resources to teach honest history in their classrooms. Additionally, attendees learn strategies for advocating to other stakeholders within their schools and communities about the importance of teaching honest history.
 

Special Educator Peer Support Group
Virtual 
April 4, May 2, June 6
7:30 - 8:30 p.m. 
Free

This ongoing support group offers a community for special education teachers, leaders and clinicians to navigate their workloads and day-to-day challenges. The support group happens the first Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m.
 

Effective Strategies for Boosting Achievement with Newcomer Spanish-Speaking ELLs
Virtual 
April 5
7 - 8 p.m. 
Free

California educator, administrator and newcomer advocate Efraín Tovar joins Listenwise’s Director of Curriculum Dr. Marielle Palombo to discuss how educators can address challenges newcomer Spanish-speaking ELLs face. During the session, attendees will learn practical instructional strategies for making lessons accessible.
 

Interdisciplinary and Interactive Classroom Projects
Virtual 
April 12
6:30 - 7:30 p.m. 
Free

This interactive workshop addresses how educators can make universally designed educational content more accessible for all students. Attendees will learn examples of interdisciplinary classroom projects and how to implement them.
 

Engaging Student Learners through Small Teaching
Virtual 
April 14
11 a.m. - noon 
Free

This free webinar explores practices from James Lang’s book, Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning. Attendees are encouraged to look at ways they can make small changes to enhance student learning.
 

A Conversation About the Science of Reading: The Necessary Elements
Virtual 
April 18
2 - 3 p.m. 
Free

This EducationWeek webinar takes a close look at the science of reading and why it’s important to understand its critical elements. Webinar speakers include Kareem Weaver, Emily Hanford and Dr. Michelle Hosp.
 

Space Education Summit
Virtual 
April 19
11 a.m. - 7 p.m. 
Free

At this all-day summit, educators learn how to engage students in space science, including materials and lessons aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Featured speakers include space industry professionals, academic researchers and space philosophers.

Another Level: Antiracist Education in Action
Virtual 
April 25, May 2, 9 and 16
7 - 8:15 p.m. 
$50 - $75

This series takes place over the course of a month, with the first session kicking off April 25 and the last session happening on May 16. Each workshop has deep and intimate conversations about key topics related to antiracism in education.

Variability, Voice, and Choice: Teaching with Universal Design for Learning
Virtual 
April 27
Noon
$25

Create a more inclusive classroom using Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Attendees learn tweaks to practice that can help make learning accessible to all students, as well as barriers to learning and offering meaningful choice.

Queer Teachers Rock: Monthly Support Group
Virtual 
April 27
7:30 - 9 p.m. 
Free

In this monthly support group, queer and trans educators reflect, heal and connect with the support of community wellness practitioners. Each healing modality changes monthly, with yoga, arts therapy and energy work as some examples of participant activities.

Empowering Students Through Arts Education
Virtual
April 29
10 - 11:30 a.m. 
Free

Learn how to integrate the arts through all learning disciplines. Arts educators Leigh Roche and Sarah Zeffiro showcase how art education empowers students through learning and creative expression.

New Jersey Council of Teachers of English Spring 2023 Conference
The College of New Jersey
April 29
8 a.m. - 3 p.m. 
$70

Learn how to bring joy back to the teaching profession at this in-person conference specifically for New Jersey English teachers. Attend four sessions and choose from 24 workshops on reviving engagement in English Language Arts.

May

This is Digital: Enhancing Learning and Teaching with Digital
Virtual 
May 2 , 9, 23, 30
10 - 11 a.m. 
Free

Every Tuesday in May, educators gather to discuss how to make the most effective use of technology. In the four sessions, attendees will go over preparing for a digital-friendly classroom, creating quality digital resources, creative approaches to teaching and effective assessment.
 

This is iPad: Teaching & Learning
Virtual 
May 8 
10 - 11 a.m. 
Free

iPads have become household items, with many students already familiar with the device early on in childhood. This webinar takes a close look at the iPad and how it can be utilized as an educational tool.
 

Speak Up at School: A Learning for Justice Virtual PD Session
Virtual 
May 9 
6 - 7:30 p.m. 
$15

Learn effective strategies for speaking up against injustice and how students can use their own voices to speak up against bias. Space is limited for this 90-minute webinar, so register ASAP.
 

Teaching English for Real Communication Purposes
Virtual 
May 16
5:30 - 6:30 p.m. 
Free

This Teachers Up webinar is one of four happening in winter/spring 2023. Each webinar focuses on key issues in English language teaching and are led by experts in the arena. Participants learn about best practices, tips and trends in language teaching.
 

School Safety and Response to Trauma in the Classroom and the Community
Virtual 
May 17
7 - 8:30 p.m. 
Free

Learn trauma-informed practices that increase school safety and help students feel safe, seen and supported. The webinar features keynote speaker Dr. Terri M. Pieretti, Associate Dean of Students at National University and former school administrator.

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