Mimio Classroom Technology Blog

5 Ideas for Summer Opportunities for Educators

Written by Travis Rink | Thu, May 14, 2015

Summer Fun & Summer Learning: Had Me a Blast!

Like most teachers, I look forward to sun, cookouts, and some relaxation for my summer. I also look to summer for a chance to recharge my mind along with my body.

This summer there’s a wide range of activities and events that can give educators a chance to learn something new, meet other colleagues, and explore some of the latest industry trends. We have pulled together a few that might interest and inspire you:

1. Trade Shows

Travel to these trade shows and attend informative workshops to learn about the latest industry trends and products, and to meet other educators:

EVENT LOCATION ATTENDEES DATES
SLA 2015 Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO - Special Libraries Association Boston, MA 4,500 06/14/2015 -06/16/2015
2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition - American Society for Engineering Education Seattle, WA 4,000 06/14/2015 -06/17/2015
ISTE 2015 - International Society for Technology in Education Philadelphia, PA 14,000 06/28/2015 -07/01/2015
NEA Annual Meeting and Representative Assembly (RA) / NEA Expo 2015 - National Education Association Orlando, FL 15,000 07/01/2015 -07/06/2015
IRA 60th Annual Conference - International Reading Association St. Louis, MO 7,700 07/17/2015 -07/20/201
2015 THSCA Convention & Coaching School - Texas High School Coaches Association Houston, TX 13,000 07/19/2015 -07/22/2015

2. Seminars, Institutes, and Workshops

NEH-Funded Workshops
NEH funds a wide variety of programs that can expand your humanities knowledge, allow you to engage in concentrated research, or improve your classroom teaching skills. Check out the complete list  for the latest offerings.

Division of Education Programs: Workshops and Seminars
Summer Seminars and Institutes for College and University Teachers: Attendees can spend two to five weeks on in-depth study of a humanities topic.

Summer Seminars and Institutes for School Teachers: Attendees can spend two to five weeks on in-depth study of a humanities topic.

Landmarks of American History and Culture Workshops for School Teachers: These one-week programs will give participants direct experiences in the interpretation of significant historical and cultural sites and the use of archival and other primary evidence.

Gilder Lehrman Teacher Institute
The Gilder Lehrman Teacher Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the improvement of history education. Their country-wide workshops focus on American and world history. They offer seminars on topics from American Capitalism to Civil Rights. See their full offering here.>>

 

3. Teach Abroad

Educate Overseas
This organization, GeoVisions, offers paid and volunteer teaching opportunities that allow teachers to travel to unique locations, experience a new culture, and gain an international perspective.

 

4. Staycation for Learning

Online Learning Resources
Don’t have the time or budget to travel to a trade show or attend a seminar? Don’t worry – you can learn new things or brush up your skills in the comfort of your backyard. All it takes is a laptop!

Mimio offers online and on-demand Quick Learn topics all summer, to help you get ready for the new school year. Check out the complete selection of Quick Learn topics now.>>

Did you miss any of the webinars we hosted on educator communities and on how to improve your lessons? Listen to them now, when you have more time. We offer all of our webinars online at your convenience.>>

5. Relax and Recharge

We all need to take time away from the busy school year. Summer breaks give us the opportunity to relax as well as recharge – to think about new ways to present material, and to share ideas with colleagues. So while it is important to try new things, it is just as important to forget about the school year ahead and do nothing. By taking advantage of the resources available over the summer and taking time for yourself, you’ll be geared up and ready to go when school resumes in the fall.