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.

The Rutgers Alternate Route #EdTech chat moderators were curious about how this teaching cohort utilizes technology to gain leverage in their field. During the chat, participants highlighted their favorite digital resources, introduced new platforms and shared teacher-specific strategies for popular sites. Read on to learn what these educators recommend.

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.

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.

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.