Summer Workshops
Posted by Sharon M. Tresino on 19 Jun 2009 | Posted in: Inspiration and Motivation, Professional Development, Teachers and Teaching
I still remember the day in June when my principal asked me to attend a special science workshop. I was so excited…until I learned it was a two-week workshop in JULY! Because I was a newer teacher at the time, I thought it would be in my best interest to attend. Needless to say, though, I was not happy about giving up a good chunk of my vacation. All through June I dreaded the workshop. And when my alarm went off on the first morning of the workshop, I hit the snooze button at least five times. But believe it or not, once I got there, it was like I was in another land. I completely forgot about summer vacation. The presenter was awesome, the content was great, and the other teachers I met were so friendly! It turned out to be a wonderful experience! (Okay, I have to admit…the workshop was only half days, so I was by the pool by 1:00!)
What about you? Are you attending a workshop or conference this summer? Please share. I’d love to know what you’re learning about!
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Candee I love the idea of the plug ins with the lights for a great cozy feel. Where did you find those? I love the idea of being positive and having the room feel inviting.
Kristy
I just attended a workshop on Debbie Diller’s Work Stations and I am so excited about getting back into the classroom and trying out my new learning. I received the book and am glad that this workshop was in the summer so that I have the time to read the book. Workshops are great to help us become better teachers during the year.
I have already taken a great one about 21st Century Learning. My next one is next week about astronomy and I wind up the summer with a one-day workshop on reading comprehension. I like summer workshops for several reasons. #1 I can start a year with new material and/or routines without having to introduce something new mid-year. #2 I do not have the hassle of writing Guest Teacher step-by-step plans. #3 I have time to look up additional resources before school starts.
I am not taking an “official” workshop, but I am working as an intern at a small local newspaper. My work so far has involved typing and editing wedding announcements, local event calendars, marriage license applications, and editorials. My language arts skills are being utilized. The newspaper uses MAC computers so my computer skills are also being expanded.
I have not been able to find any workshops that are during the summer months.I think I would like to attended a workshop in the summer, Having new material to start the year sound awesome!
I AM WORKING FOR A PRIVATE INSTITUTION IN AFRICA WHICH IS MONEY INCOME ORIENTED. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IMPROVING THE PERSONNEL PROFESSIONALLY. I ADMIRE AND AM ANXIOUS OF GETTING A CHANCE OF WORKSHOPS. OH HOW I ENVY SOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPRESSED THEIR EXPERIENCES.
I’ll be attending one of Dr. Jean’s workshops in Minneapolis in July and a Curriculum training in August. I can not wait to see and meet Dr. Jean in person. She has so many wonderful resource books and CDs for teachers. As for the Curriculum one. I realize that training is needed when starting a new curriculum, but I wish they could make them a lot more relaxing and interesting! It’s also great not to have to worry about getting a sub for my class!
We are required to go to 3 workshops so that we may comp out of 3 days during the school year. I will be doing CPI training since all teachers on our campus are required. We will also have a collaborative with all 3rd grade teachers….I am really looking forward to this one b/c we are going to do our cross-curricular planning. This should make the year run more smoothly. We just found out that we are getting smartboards too, so I will be going to a workshop to become familiar with that as well. =)
I am going to go to some workshops in July. These are for a few hours only and I will get a certificate for needed professional development hours! In August I have a school systems workshop that I am kind of dreading-Maybe since I HAVE to go to that one! It helps me to get some fresh ideas before the school year starts. This makes me excited and eager to try out the things I have learned.
I enjoy taking workshops in the summer–plus my school district pays a stipend for attending workshops. Some are mandatory trainings for new programs that will be implemented next year. Others are optional. The instructor can make or break the workshop–I love to get new ideas that I will be able to take back to my classroom in the fall.
I have one workshop a week all of June! My family is not happy about it however I have learned some helpful information. It is really hard to stay interested after lunch!!!
I agree with what most people have already said- summer is a great opportunity to engross yourself in learning new ideas and techniques. This summer I am taking a one week class in mentoring new teachers. I am a little bummed that it is from 8:30 to 5:30, but when the school year starts, I will receive a stipend for each new teacher I mentor (you can’t get the stipend unless you take the class). It’s a nice way to make some extra money for something most veteran teachers do anyway! in the past, I have taken workshops and classes on using technology in the classroom and accessing community resources for low-income families.
Try really hard not to think of your summer as a time that is so short & quick to pass by. Everyday is so special & shouldn’t be dreaded or wasted. But it is hard when the days with no school work seem so numbered.
Every day can feel like summer with the right attitude and atmosphere. Just surround yourself w/ good people, good books, positive thoughts & a positive environment.
One way I do this is by having my classroom and my home smell delightful! I have found these plug-in lights that look beautiful and provide a fragrance of your choice to float throughout the room and down the hall. They give off the look of candlelight, but are safe enough to leave on all the time.
As people walk into my classroom they comment on the wonderful smell. I can smell my scents clear down the hall. It helps put everyone in a better mood and spread the positive vibes throughout the building!
I am going to a few in-district workshops the end of July on new software we received this year and signing up for a workshop in August using cooperative learning to support differentiated instruction. I love workshops, any time of year. I don’t mind at all going over the summer!
My favorite part about summer workshops is that I don’t have to worry about making sub plans or wonder if my students are behaving. In the summer, I can engross myself in learning new strategies and become energized for the new year.
I would like to know if there are any workshops that any teachers would know of in the suffolk area of Long Island. The teachers at our school would love to go to them. We would be willing to go during the school day as we have done that before.
Thank You,
Miss Celeste
I get bored about 2 weeks after school gets out. So I would love to have the chance to go to some summer seminars. A friend of mine who teaches in Florida went on a cruise that was for teachers and she learned how to play chess and how to use it in the classroom. No a bad way to spend a week!
I am one of those teachers who actually likes most inservices. This summer I have attended a photo-story workshop, and am also going for a few other technology workshops. I look forward to learning during the summer, when I have less pressure on me. I think that learning new ideas, activities, and ways of doing things makes us better teachers for the coming year!
I don’t like giving up my summer days but this is the best time to learn new information, before the pressure of preparing lessons is on. I have enjoyed the ones that I have attended so far and have many exciting ideas for next school year.
I’m attending workshops this summer. I attended a couple 1 hour workshops last week (June) as well as a 3 day workshop through my district next month (July). I leave most of the workshops with many new ideas for my classrooms, so I don’t mind going. The workshops are good for recertification hours, so I make sure to get a certificate at the end. It’s a two-for-one deal!
I have to admit that I love to go to workshops in the summer. I get a lot of good ideas and it makes me look forward to starting the next year so that I can use the ideas in my classroom. This might change when my kiddo gets a little older, but for right now I really enjoy it. Plus, we always get a TON of free stuff for our rooms!
I have been teaching almost 30 years and I still try to attend at least one workshop in the summer. I love new ideas. I too love my Active Board and this summer will attend a Technology Workshop that will have special sessions on the Active Board and Smart Board. As teachers we owe a lot to our students and their parents.
I am lucky enough to take a few tecnology workshops this summer! I have to admit that I AM A SMARTBOARD-AHOLIC and can’t wait to learn a few new ideas to use with my students and to share with my fellow first grade teachers.
Colleen
I’ll be a first year teacher next year and signed up for several workshops in our district. I’m looking forward to learning ideas to bring to the classroom.
This is actually my first summer NOT attending a workshop and I am bummed! I usually count on going somewhere to fill up some of my time during the summer. Now I’m just a little on the bored side, but I’m sure I’ll find other things to do! =)
I am currently getting my Master’s Degree. So I will be in class all summer long. It will be worth it in two years when I am done, but phew, talk about busy right now. I feel that it is always worth the time and effort to better myself. After all, I became a teacher to make a difference, not have summers off!
(But that is sure one heck of a perk!)
I have always signed up for at least this training during the summer, because it is so awesome. It’s called CORE Academy for Science and Math. Our school pays for it and it is so worth going for three days. We get a big tub and and lots of free stuff to teach with. I love this training.
As a newer teacher I did not realize how much of my time off I would be asked to use for PD but so far I have found it to be fun. I like meeting new people and getting ideas from seasoned teachers.
I do like what Andrea’s school does with time off given in the winter. I will bring this to the table at my school.
I am not attending any conferences this summer as I am expecting our first child; however I am kinda bummed to miss the Frog Street Splash conference in Dallas, TX.
Wow, Andrea, I like the idea about receiving a day off in the winter if you attend workshops in the summer. I will have to share that with my school district. I, too, attend summer workshops. And, I too was called by my Principal at the last minute one day last summer to tell me that I would be attending a one-week workshop. I couldn’t believe it, but I also couldn’t tell him no. Thankfully, it ended up being an awesome week. I learned lots of new ideas and was inspired to return to school in the fall to implement all the new ideas.
I attend many workshops over the summer. Although I do not like to spend my entire summer doing this, I always feel as if I come from these workshops with something exciting to share with my class the following year. Some workshops are highly encouraged by our Diocese, but most I attend are by choice. The more new ideas I can go into the new school year with the better!
I always liked going to workshops in the summer since I wasn’t missing days of school. It would be great to take a day off in the winter. I would love to know how to make the books that Krystal mentioned. Taking a workshop in the summer gives me time to prepare for the fall and incorporate it in the big plan for the year.
I have found over the years that some of the best and most effective teaching strategies and management ideas are learned at Saturday and summer workshops- well worth the time sacrificed!
Summer workshops are definitely the way to go in order to fulfill required continuing education requirements. In our district, not only can we take advantage of these (sometimes) wonderful opportunities, but we also get paid a stipend, which, if necessary, can go toward the payment of college credits if we need to renew our license. I must admit, though, it’s much more “worth” it if the presenter is dynamic … but you never know until you are there!
I love going to workshops in the summer! I meet lots of neat people and learn lots of new things to add to my classroom.
I will be attending a workshop in July and am looking forward to it. I learned so much last year and was so motivated.
I love most workshops because they are great places to meet some very fun and interesting people! I give workshops as well as attend workshops throughout the year.
My absolute favorite workshop in recent years was a book making workshop. The presenter was awesome! And the other participants were so fun! We took home 6 or 7 different types of homemade books and tons of ideas for how to use them with children of all ages. I now do mini bookmaking workshops with children and adults using these ideas and creating a few of my own. Very fun!
I don’t like giving up time during my summer to attend workshops. Luckily this is optional in my school district. We do have to attend professional development training but this is customized for our individual school and grade level. Nothing is scheduled for the month of July but PD starts in early August. This gives us time to get in any needed training before school starts in mid-August. I enjoy the much needed break in June/July, and am refreshed and ready to go when August arrives.
I have attended a one day educational course. It was a lot of fun. The class was on hands on science. I had a lot of fun doing experiments and brought home a lot of ideas to do with my class. Easy and cheap experiments! Have more training coming up in July.
If we attend training during the summer, we get a day off during the winter. I always do my best to make the time when I have the time. During the winter, I usually need that day off!
No one likes giving up the summer break to participate in workshops. However, there are alternatives webinars offered online. The best part about many webinars is that you can watch them at your leisure-and get some fabulous ideas.
Oh, I am right with you on this…I hate to have anything like that scheduled for summer. I love how we can do so many classes online now. That way we can do it when it rains or when it is not “pool time”.
Luckily a lot of the classes end up being a lot of fun!
I have already attended one required educational course and have another scheduled in July. Lucky for me they are both one day events. I just look at it as improving my skills, however an early wakeup call is not fun!