Ahhh, summertime! It’s a time of beach trips, barbecues, vacations, and so many great memories. It’s also a time when students “check out” and lose some of the achievement gains they made during the school year. During this panel, PGCPS teachers will come together to discuss how we can help students avoid the “summer slide” - while having lots of fun along the way.

Topics to be discussed include:

-The definition of a “summer slide” and whether it contributes to learning loss

-How to support students who have mentally “checked out” for the summer

-Fun activities to keep students learning over the summer

-Developing a learning recovery plan for the upcoming school year

We all have our favorite subjects in school, whether it’s English, chemistry, history, or all of the above. When teachers are able to integrate multiple disciplines into their instruction, students are better prepared for the future. During this panel, PGCPS teachers will discuss how teaching across disciplines can get students excited about learning.

Topics to be discussed include:

-Interdisciplinary curriculum design

-Collaboration and PLCs

-How to encourage students to pursue STEM fields

-Importance of each subject in the real world

We can’t expect students to learn if we’re not bringing the best version of ourselves to the classroom. That includes making sure we’re taking care of our physical, mental, and emotional health. In this TeacherTalk, several PGCPS teachers will discuss how teachers can take care of themselves to avoid burnout.

Topics to be discussed include:

-Habits of highly successful teachers

-Teacher burnout

-The impact of COVID-19 and virtual learning

-Retiring with pride

Twenty percent of schools currently have a substitute teacher vacancy, making it challenging to ensure a school is adequately staffed. With the rapidly shifting landscape in education, this topic is at the forefront of many school agendas. During this session, we will be discussing what is working with substituting, what can be changed, and what the future of substituting can be.

Topics to be discussed include:

-The challenges of substitute teaching

-Incorporating substitutes into the fabric of the school community

-Developing substitutes into full-time teachers

Students have more opportunities than ever to make the world a better place, whether it’s by doing community service activities or speaking out on social media. Encouraging students to use their voices and take action today will help them grow into the leaders of tomorrow. During this panel, PGCPS teachers will discuss strategies for building civic engagement in students.

Topics to be discussed include:

-Encouraging extracurricular activities, internships, community service, and sports

-Social media influencers

-Using technology in the classroom to create social impact

Studies show that when students can see themselves in their teachers, it leads to better academic performance and lower behavioral issues. That said, we have a long way to go when it comes to creating diverse classrooms. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, only 18% of teachers aren’t white, even though half of all public school students are POC. During this panel, PGCPS teachers will discuss how we can diversify our teacher force by creating more inclusive schools.

Topics to be discussed include:

-Recruitment and teacher retention

-Benefits of teacher diversity, including male teachers in education

-Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the workplace

-Making teacher training accessible for everyone

Today’s teachers are expected to individualize their instruction for a wide range of learners, whether they’re an English-language learner, a special education student, or both. In this panel, several PGCPS teachers will discuss how to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse student population.

Topics discussed will include:

-Differentiating and scaffolding instruction, with a focus on ESOL, SPED, and SEL

-Biases and blind spots when it comes to LGBTQIA+ students

-Title IX

No teacher wants to see their students go to prison or juvenile facilities. Unfortunately, zero-tolerance disciplinary policies have made that a reality for many students, particularly students of color. It’s known as the school-to-prison pipeline, and it needs to end. During this panel, PGCPS teachers will be coming together to discuss how we can step up for these vulnerable students.

Topics to be discussed include:

-The impact of zero-tolerance policies and police officers on campus

-Restorative justice practices

-Why schools need to be anti-racist instead of “not racist”

Schools aren't just places where students learn. For many towns, schools play an integral part of the community, providing students and families with access to food, medical services, and social events. In this TeacherTalk, six PGCPS educators will discuss what it means to be a community school and how parents can get involved.

Topics covered will include:

-The six pillars of community schools;

-Parent engagement, including federal policies;

-Community mapping;

-Community resources;

-Building stakeholder partnerships

The pandemic has profoundly impacted all of our lives and has changed the way educational institutions engage students in learning. With the majority of schools returning to in-person learning, there are many challenges being faced by teachers and staff, students, and families. This session will provide strategies and tools to help teachers, students and families successfully transition back into the physical classroom.

Topics covered during this session include:

-Empathy and building relationships with students

-Teaching students SEL skills during COVID-19

-Addressing the trauma of the pandemic

Get ready for the second round of TeacherTalk: Technology Edition! Our panelists will be discussing anything and everything related to education technology, from the best online learning platforms, to creating an equitable playing field for students who don’t have access to the Internet. We guarantee you’ll walk away from this TeacherTalk with new strategies and tools to use during this time of remote learning.

Getting the right amount of physical activity can help students stay healthy, but that’s not the only benefit. Exercise can help students regulate their emotions, develop coping skills, and ultimately, stay focused in the classroom. In this TeacherTalk, you’ll be hearing from a group of fellow educators on how you can incorporate physical activity in your instruction, even during remote learning.

It takes a village to raise a child, and no one understands that better than a school counselor. School counselors work with teachers, school administrators, students’ families, and business partners, all with the goal of improving students’ academic, social/emotional, and career outcomes. In this TeacherTalk, three dynamic school counselors will share their tips and tricks for effectively collaborating with others.

In this TeacherTalk, members of our LifeChanger community will show you how to identify different types of trauma, and how you can help students develop the necessary coping skills to deal with trauma.

Today’s educators are going beyond teaching academics by making sure students’ social and emotional needs are being addressed. In other words, they’re “teaching the whole child.” In this TeacherTalk, you’ll hear from members of our LifeChanger community as they share their strategies for taking a whole child approach.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been stressful for everyone - from students, to teachers, to parents. In this panel, you’ll learn about how teachers have helped their students, families and fellow educators through these times, and what they are anticipating for back-to-school.

Not just another Social Emotional Learning webinar, Resetting for Resilience examines the relationship between SEL and academics as schools prepare for reopening. There is an urgency and opportunity to implement strategies that reinforce the connection between both. Our panelists will share how schools can change their perspective to have the greatest impact on students adjusting to life back in the classroom.

This discussion will focus on the re-opening of middle schools and high schools to in-person learning and how we prepare ourselves and our students mentally and emotionally. Our panelists will explore such questions as:

• What should we be preparing for?

• What are we not anticipating, but should be?

• What do we need to do to build relationships to ensure overall safety of all learners?

• What should teachers be doing to prepare mentally and emotionally for the return to school?

• How do teachers take their seat at the table, or "build the table" where these discussions really need to happen?

Join us for an informative and thought-provoking discussion on all the things we need to look at the importance of addressing mental and emotional health in order to ensure a productive and successful return to the classroom.

This discussion will focus on the re-opening of elementary schools to in-person learning and how we prepare ourselves and our students mentally and emotionally. Our panelists will explore such questions as:

• What should we be preparing for?

• What are we not anticipating, but should be?

• What do we need to do to build relationships to ensure overall safety of all learners?

• -What should teachers be doing to prepare mentally and emotionally for the return to school?

• How do teachers take their seat at the table, or "build the table" where these discussions really need to happen?

Join us for an informative and thought-provoking discussion on all the things we need to look at the importance of addressing mental and emotional health in order to ensure a productive and successful return to the classroom.

We can’t expect students to learn if we’re not bringing the best version of ourselves to the classroom. That includes making sure we’re taking care of our mental and emotional health. In this TeacherTalk, our panelists will discuss how teachers can take care of themselves and prepare for full re-openings, in terms of self-care and the teacher-leader consideration. Every school is different, so we’ll also be exploring self-care from the perspective of various settings, including urban, suburban, and rural schools.

People often speak in terms of being the “best version of yourself.” The truth is there’s no such thing as the best version of yourself, only the next version of yourself. We are all Unfinished. This webinar will help you understand what it means to practice “unfinished leadership” in a school setting. It’s not about having all the answers, but about providing support for students and staff, staying focused on the big picture, and guiding others through the best and worst of times.

When we talk about improving student outcomes, there’s one perspective that can get lost in the shuffle: that of the students! Engaging with a variety of student voices can help school leaders become better listeners and, ultimately, make more informed decisions. In this webinar, you’ll not only find out why you should engage student voices as collaborators in leading, but how you can make it happen.

The idea of unlearning traditional systems and practices is not a new one and is regularly commented on by educational thought leaders such as Sir Ken Robinson and Dr. John Hattie. Throughout the world, however, our schools still resemble, in many ways, the nineteenth-century industrial factory model. During this webinar, participants will explore the theory that many of our ingrained notions about leadership must be unlearned in order to prepare us appropriately for the schools and workplaces of the future. In short - you’ll be energized to think, act, and do leadership differently.

As a school employee, you understand the value of education and advocacy when it comes to student success. The same is true for you. Why leave the fate of your financial future in the hands of others – take the time to learn the fundamentals and become an active participant in planning for your future.

Check out the ABCs of Financial Fitness for Educators, a free five-step virtual learning series geared toward setting K-12 school employees up for financial success. Each of the five webinars will arm you with tips, tools and strategies around a specific topic directly impacting you.

As a school employee, you understand the value of education and advocacy when it comes to student success. The same is true for you. Why leave the fate of your financial future in the hands of others – take the time to learn the fundamentals and become an active participant in planning for your future.

Check out the ABCs of Financial Fitness for Educators, a free five-step virtual learning series geared toward setting K-12 school employees up for financial success. Each of the five webinars will arm you with tips, tools and strategies around a specific topic directly impacting you.

As a school employee, you understand the value of education and advocacy when it comes to student success. The same is true for you. Why leave the fate of your financial future in the hands of others – take the time to learn the fundamentals and become an active participant in planning for your future.

Check out the ABCs of Financial Fitness for Educators, a free five-step virtual learning series geared toward setting K-12 school employees up for financial success. Each of the five webinars will arm you with tips, tools and strategies around a specific topic directly impacting you.

As a school employee, you understand the value of education and advocacy when it comes to student success. The same is true for you. Why leave the fate of your financial future in the hands of others – take the time to learn the fundamentals and become an active participant in planning for your future.

Check out the ABCs of Financial Fitness for Educators, a free five-step virtual learning series geared toward setting K-12 school employees up for financial success. Each of the five webinars will arm you with tips, tools and strategies around a specific topic directly impacting you.

As a school employee, you understand the value of education and advocacy when it comes to student success. The same is true for you. Why leave the fate of your financial future in the hands of others – take the time to learn the fundamentals and become an active participant in planning for your future.

Check out the ABCs of Financial Fitness for Educators, a free five-step virtual learning series geared toward setting K-12 school employees up for financial success. Each of the five webinars will arm you with tips, tools and strategies around a specific topic directly impacting you.