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.

This fall, Rutgers Alternate Route teachers participated in an invigorating #EdTech chat to discuss strategies for engaging digitally savvy students and leveraging technology in educational practices. Using the hashtags #EdTech and #TeacherEd, educators shared and discovered technology-centered ideas, responding rapidly to questions posed by the Rutgers Alternate Route host account. In just 60 minutes, hundreds of participants tackled five questions on technology use in schools, showcasing the power of social media for professional development.

Our talented teaching candidates help spark inspiration to educators outside the Rutgers Alternate Route program through lessons hosted on our YouTube channel. 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.

Just like our relaxing winter breaks, conferences are also a type of self-investment. We return from both breaks and conferences inspired and rejuvenated for the remainder of the year, which benefits educators professionally and personally. However, conferences offer advantages such as networking with like-minded professionals and exchanging tips and tools with other educators. We’re making professional self-investment easy with our event round-up for educators.

To support your work, Rutgers Alternate Route Teachers have curated a collection of recommended tools and resources they use to advance language learning in their classes. The list includes exceptional resources like ACTFL’s national standards and ready-to-use materials, gamified practice tools like Duolingo and Conjuguemos, and creative resources such as Rockalingua’s music-based Spanish lessons. You’ll also find platforms like Word Wall for interactive games, Spanish 4 Teachers for free worksheets and cultural activities, and Seterra for geography-based language practice.