29 Education Conferences and Webinars for Spring and Summer

As we quickly approach summer break, now is the time for educators to start thinking about how they want to jump into the 2022/2023 school year. Even though spring is at its peak, educators know how fast fall will arrive. 

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 29 spring and summer conferences, from May to August. The majority of these opportunities are virtual and free, making professional development accessible for all. 

29 Education Conferences and Webinars

New Jersey Special Education Summit
Hybrid
In-person event at the FEA Conference Center
12 Centre Dr, Monroe Township
May 13, 2022
8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. 
$125 member, $150 non-member

This year, the focus will be on utilizing best practices formed during the pandemic to accelerate learning for students with disabilities. Speakers and attendees will gather to share tips and examples from their own experiences. 

2022 Conference on Youth Sexual Health Education
Virtual
May 18, 2022
9 a.m. - 2 p.m. 
Tickets range up to $20

Sexual health education is not created equal. There are many populations that are overlooked, and this conference helps attendees learn how to provide more inclusive sexual education.  

Moving Toward Decolonising Music Education
Virtual
May 19, 2022
Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Free

Eurocentric perspectives are embedded in education and inform much of what we teach. As educators, it is important to know how to recognize and de-colonize these perspectives. This upcoming webinar takes a close look at music and how to represent diverse musical styles in the classroom.

Hop-hop Youth Research & Activism Conference 
Rutgers University, New Brunswick
May 20, 2022
9 a.m. - 2 p.m. 
Free

The HHYRA Conference brings together youth from diverse communities for a day of workshops and interactions that revolve around the ideas of Hip Hop and social justice. The next conference will take place in May at Rutgers University in New Brunswick and will feature workshops, performances, and presentations led by high school and college students whose proposals are reviewed and accepted by the HHYRA peer review board.

Decentering Whiteness in Arts Education
Virtual
May 22, 2022
Noon - 2 p.m. 
$25 - $100

Similar to the above event, Decentering Whiteness in Arts Education shows educators how to identify erasure and tokenism within art. The event is facilitated by Alisha Mernick, who specializes in using art making to engage students in a critical analysis of issues of identity, social justice, anti-racism and civic engagement.

Regional Perspectives: Global education and learning in Latin America
Virtual
June 1, 2022
9 - 10:30 a.m.
Free

The event features presentations from academics across Latin America, who will highlight regional differences in the development and implementation of policies and practices that aim to promote global learning.

Antiracist Educators Summer Series
Virtual
June 7, 2022
7 p.m. 
$90-$99

This series kicks off June 7 with the topic Five Big Leaps in Racial Equity Understanding and Action. From there, a new session and speaker are featured every Tuesday evening in June and July, with the goal to increase antiracism in education. 

Education Discussion: Tips for talking about adoption
Virtual 
June 9, 2022
3 p.m.
Free

This presentation is open to anyone who is considered part of an adoptive family’s support network, and that includes teachers. Attendees will learn how to navigate tricky subject areas for adopted children, terminology, how to support the child and why it is important to include the adoptive parents.

Embracing Changes to Education: Approaches for Marginalized & Unprivileged
Virtual 
June 12, 2022
11 a.m. - noon 
Free

This event discusses the need to embrace change in education within marginalized and unprivileged populations. Discover the importance of learning and growing in a world that is forever evolving, and how education must be reformed as part of this evolution.

The Education of Nature
Virtual
June 13, 2022
2 p.m. 
Free

We all engage with nature, whether that is using an umbrella to shield rain, enjoying a swim in the ocean or watching the backyard wildlife. Rediscover why nature is so important and learn tips and tricks to increase outdoor exposure for our youth.

Strategies for Supporting Black Girls
Virtual
June 15, 2022
6:30 - 8 p.m. 
Tickets range up to $150

This virtual event is open to anyone in a youth-serving role, including educators. Attendees will learn culturally inspired strategies that empower Black girls to build and develop confidence, pursue leadership and promote their overall wellbeing.

Beyond Multiple Choice: Advancing Public Discourse Around Assessment
Virtual
June 15, 2022
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 
Free

This event is an opportunity for parents, teachers, administrators and researchers to come together to understand how different perspectives and experiences shape social dialogue around assessment. 

Beating Teacher Burnout: Using the Summer to Recharge
Virtual
June 15, 2022
8 - 9 p.m. 
Free

Learn how to best recharge and replenish this summer. Meredith Matson and Rebekah Shoaf, the authors of Beating Teacher Burnout, will help educators reconnect with their “why” and build a network of support with attendees.

Thrive 2022
Lewis Arts Complex
120 Alexander St., Princeton
June 16, 2022
$95 - $120

Thrive 2022 will bring arts leaders from throughout the region together to celebrate the resiliency of New Jersey’s creative sector, as well as tackle current challenges facing the industry.

#HackSTEM22: Is Education the New Frontier in the Gaming Boom?
Virtual
June 21, 2022
10 - 10:30 a.m.
Free

Gaming is often overlooked as a powerful education tool. Video games are fun, and - when incorporated appropriately in the classroom - have the ability to reach disengaged students. At this event, attendees will learn about the possibilities that today’s technology offers to incorporate games in the classroom and change the perception of society.

Community Education Series: Children with Depression - Workshop for Supporters
Virtual
June 22, 2022
2 - 3 p.m.
Free

As society becomes open about mental health and its challenges, there are more opportunities to learn how to best support those struggling. This event is open to anyone looking to help children navigate their own mental health. 

Primary Science Connect: Linking Science and Stories
Virtual
June 23, 2022
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Free 
 
Learn tips and resources that will enhance science across schools.

Master Teacher Institute in Holocaust Education
Virtual
June 27 - 28, 2022
Free

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. The seminar is open to middle and high school educators, and it includes educational materials and professional development credits. An application is required to attend. Applicants should have at least one year of teaching experience and at least one year of involvement with Holocaust/genocide education or currently pursuing a master of education degree.

Creating a Culture of Empathy in Your Classroom
Virtual
July 3, 2022
10 - 11 p.m. 
$15

This virtual event explores what empathy in the classroom looks like. Attendees will learn empathy’s importance in learning and receive an activity pack with resources to cultivate more empathy within the classroom.

Diversity and Equity in Education: Race, Ethnicity and Culture
Virtual
July 6 - 7
Free

Join fellow educators to share discussions on race, ethnicity and culture. The conference will help attendees challenge and tackle crucial questions and share innovative practices as a community.

Cultural Considerations in Reducing Harm Among Youth
Virtual
July 9, 2022
1:30 - 3:30 p.m. 
Tickets range up to $25

This workshop is designed to destigmatize mental health and illness in children. Attendees will learn evidence-based practices to help reduce self harm in youth.

Consent in the Classroom
Virtual
July 10, 2022
2 - 5 p.m. 
$43.99 - $87.16

Learn how to bring consent-forward education into the classroom. This means embedding trauma-informed education and self-care into everyday instruction. 

Reducing the Impact of Bias on Therapy, Education and Training 
Virtual
July 27, 2022
2 - 5 p.m. 
$100

In this webinar, attendees will explore implicit bias, including what it is, why it happens and how it affects our interactions. Learn how to recognize implicit bias when it happens and how to reduce its frequency.

Connected Learning Summit 2022
Virtual
July 27 - 29, 2022
$50 - $250

Learn how emerging technology can expand access to participatory, playful and creative learning.

Positive Discipline in the Classroom
Virtual
August 1 - 4, 2022
$399

This four-day event is open to anyone who works with students. Learn how to integrate social and emotional learning into disciplinary actions that are kind, yet firm. 

STEAM & Space Education Virtual Conference 2022
Virtual
August 2 - 3, 2022
$10 - $40

Join fellow educators who are passionate about STEAM and space. Share best practices on how to get students more engaged in learning about STEAM and space, and the career paths open to them. 

Inclusive School Leadership: An Inclusion Thinktank for K-12 Administrators
Virtual
August 4, 2022
10 a.m. - noon
$209 - $329

Learn what equity-minded leadership looks like and how big its impact can be with student outcomes. Attendees will explore the common language of equity-minded leadership, how to model it and how to strategically plan with an equity lens.

NJEA Jack Bertolino Summer Leadership Conference
Hilton East Brunswick
3 Tower Center Blvd, East Brunswick
August 6 - 12, 2022
Must be an NJEA member 

The 2022 NJEA Jack Bertolino Summer Leadership Conference will offer a broad menu of workshops that equip members to become stronger association advocates.

TeachMeetNJ 2022
Kenneth R Olson Middle School
132 New Road, Tabernacle
August 11, 2022
8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 
Free

This in-person conference is for any educator that is passionate about technology and incorporating it into their teaching. 

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.