Dive Brief:

• The last day of school doesn't always mean that teachers are afforded the same summer break as students; eSchool News offers a number of suggestions for those looking to squeeze in some professional learning opportunities.
• Among the options presented are workshops and symposiums like Learning and the Brain Summer Institutes, The Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning Summer Workshop Series, and EdTechTeacher2017 Summer Workshops.
• Additionally, educators can take advantage of conferences like the STEM Education for Girls Think Tank and Conference, ASCD Conference on Teaching Excellence, and — though it isn't mentioned in the article — the International Society for Technology in Education's annual conference.

Dive Insight:

The introduction of new technology and standards — as well as the implementation of new policy and regulations under the Every Student Succeeds Act — necessitates particular attention to professional development opportunities for educators. Economic shifts since the turn of the century demand new pedagogical approaches, and many educators are at different places on their paths to adjusting for that reality.

The differences in levels of preparedness, as well as pedagogical interests, have led to pushes for more personalized PD opportunities in recent years. Micro-credentialing and badging have simplified the providing of those options by administrators, allowing learners to master a specific skill around their individual needs or interests. But concerns abound regarding rigor, stakeholder value, oversight and incentives for teachers surround these models. 

Still, the truth remains that a one-size-fits-all approach isn't likely the best for student or teacher learning. The summer months offer greater opportunity to explore options that won't bore or burn out educators looking to further hone their craft, allowing for more creativity in execution and greater focus on the areas where teachers know they need more improvement or want to grow into.