Mid-Year Motivation Resources for Educators

Welcome to January, when post-winter-vacation motivation is low, especially for educators in northern climates, who are currently navigating a very gray environment. 

Getting momentum in the new year is a challenge many teachers face, which is why we spent our winter break preparing a Mid-Year Motivation Toolkit for blog visitors who could use some inspiration, support and fresh ideas for the second half of the school year. 

Browse the offerings below, which include motivational TED Talks, virtual support groups and forums, YouTube lessons, no-cost activities and more.

34 Must-Attend Education Conferences for NJ Teachers and Leaders | Winter 2026 Edition

Conferences are a great part of an educator’s professional-development toolkit. These meetings of the minds allow professionals from various districts to come together and improve their strategies. During this time for gathering, educators collaborate and exchange just as many email addresses as best practices, leaving the conference with wonderful new connections.

See the conferences here.

How These Teachers Stay Motivated and Avoid Burnout

New and veteran educators quickly learn that staying motivated doesn’t happen magically. Motivation is built with intention, and those in the education space are fortunate to be part of a supportive and intentional group of professionals.

Teachers recognize that collaborating, sharing ideas and seeking advice from one another is necessary for their own success. The best part? This advice is easily accessible.

Through combing through quotes from our own Rutgers Alternate Route teachers, as well as scouring forums like Reddit and Facebook Groups, we’ve rounded up the best tips teachers across the nation have to offer.

Read the blog here.

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. 

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.

Read the blog here.

Get Inspired with These 81 YouTube Lessons from Rutgers Alternate Route Teachers

Sometimes, a teacher’s biggest inspiration is found in a fellow teacher. At Rutgers Alternate Route, it’s important for our candidates to have collaborative experiences, as well as create their own opportunities to collaborate and share what they’ve learned.

Our talented teaching candidates help spark inspiration for educators outside the Rutgers Alternate Route program through lessons hosted on our YouTube channel, available here. The content is diverse, ranging from lessons for specific subjects to instructional videos that span multiple subjects—perfect for teachers of all backgrounds and locations.

Every month, the channel is updated with new lessons, which is why it is always beneficial to subscribe. In the meantime, we’ve highlighted 81 videos to help get ideas flowing.

See the blog here.

22 Engaging Classroom Games to Help Supercharge the School Year

When classrooms feel playful, learning sticks. Intentionally designed games spark students’ brains, boost engagement and make teaching more enjoyable. Because when learning feels like play, motivation follows.

That sense of joy matters even more in January, when students are shaking off winter break and energy can run low during New Jersey’s coldest weeks. Even teachers can struggle to get inspired during this time of year.

The good news?

Reigniting excitement doesn’t require elaborate prep or expensive materials. Many games and activities are easy to execute in the classroom and free, with limited or no materials needed.

We’ve gathered a list of these games for elementary, middle and high school teachers to kick up the excitement in the new year.

See the activities here.

15 Inspirational TED Talks for Teachers

"Sometimes, 20 minutes is all you need for a motivation boost.

TED Talks were created for this purpose—to give busy people an opportunity to learn, recharge and get inspired with new ideas and strategies. Educators are particularly fortunate, with many effective talks dedicated to identifying common professional challenges and how to address them.

From rethinking creativity to tackling systemic inequalities, these 15 TED Talks feature expert speakers who understand what educators face every day. Viewers walk away with new concepts to explore, ideas to brainstorm and a classroom full of students ready to engage.

Listen on a commute, during your morning routine, while making dinner or any other time you find 20 minutes to spare.

Watch the TED Talks here.

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.