Opportunities
Professional development
AFT Share My Lesson webinars
The American Federation of Teachers’ Share My Lesson webpage continues to share resources that educators can use in their classrooms or distance learning, as well as professional development opportunities for all educators. The AFT recently released capstone projects for all grade levels on how to finish the school year and celebrate what they have done this year. See all of the opportunities and resources at www.sharemylesson.com.
NEA Educating Through Crisis website
The National Education Association’s Educating Through Crisis website offers advice for engaging students online, strategies for maintaining support for the most vulnerable, words of encouragement, ways to alleviate stress and avoid burnout and more. The website features resources on knowing your rights, digital supports, meeting students’ and families’ needs, wellness and taking action. To see all of the resources, go to www.educatingthroughcrisis.org.
Learning Network resources
The Learning Network is a website from The New York Times that supplies lesson plans and other online resources for educators and students. Along with lesson plans, some of the offerings include a news quiz, student opinion questions for ages 13 and older and the Word of the Day, which provides vocabulary words in the context of recent Times articles. A digital subscription is not required. The blog and all New York Times articles linked from them are free, but you may need to create a free New York Times account to comment on posts. Go to https://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/about-the-learning-network/ to see the opportunities.
Department of Education webinars
The Minnesota Department of Education continues to host professional development opportunities for educators online throughout the summer. The offerings include workshops on special education, social-emotional learning and English language learners. To see all of the offerings and how to register, go to education.mn.gov/MDE/about/cal/.
School social workers virtual events, online resources
The Minnesota School Social Workers Association is offering multiple opportunities for online professional development. The group is hosting webinars with topics specific to the COVID-19 response, as well as their summer institute. The institute will still take place June 15-17, but registrants will have 30 days to view content. The institute includes presentations on trauma, building strong relationships and working across differences. The institute is open to non-MSSWA members for an increased fee. The MSSWA also has multiple online resources for communities, families and students and supporting students with mental health needs and IEPs. To learn more about the MSSWA professional development offerings and other resources, go to www.msswa.org.
Math webinars
The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics is celebrating its centennial by hosting 100 hours of professional development. Webinars are taking place through August, but educators are able to access previously recorded sessions as well. Go to www.nctm.org/100-Days-of-Professional-Learning.
Science teacher lesson sharing
The Minnesota Science Teacher Association has created an online COVID resource page, www.mnsta.org and click on “COVID-19 Response Resources.” The page includes a webinar recording of a MnSTA and Minnesota Department of Education presentation. The webpage also includes places for Minnesota science teachers to share any lessons, either digital or analog. Also included on the website are resources sorted by subject and grade level, as well as screencasts and other opportunities for educators to find resources.
Grants
NEA Foundation COVID response grants
The NEA Foundation is offering grants to support educator-led initiatives to adapt to the unique circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic during the summer months of 2020. Applications are due May 28 and June 11. For more information, go to www.neafoundation.org/for-educators/covid-rapid-response-grants.
