Disconnect. Recharge. Develop.
As teachers, we’re always busy! Term time can be so exhausting that as soon as the holidays arrive, we just want to switch off and forget all about school for a while.
Taking some time off to unwind during the summer holidays is essential, if we want to be effective, caring teachers who start the new year with renewed enthusiasm for our job and for our students.
However, that doesn’t mean you have to put your professional development on hold. In this blog post, we’ll explore how you can still develop your teaching skills with short bursts of CPD (Continuing Professional Development) during your well-deserved break.
Summer holidays provide a unique opportunity to reflect on your teaching journey, take stock of the past year, and set goals for the upcoming academic year. By engaging in CPD during this time, you can enhance your teaching practices, explore new ideas, and stay ahead of the curve. There are lots of different things you can do: attending webinars, reading blogs, and participating in short online courses are just some examples. These short bursts of professional development can make a significant impact the way you start the new school year.
Why do CPD in the holidays?
During term time, it can be hard to find a time and the mental space to focus on our professional development. There are too many things to do – lesson planning, meetings and paperwork on top of our teaching schedules.
The summer holidays, once you’ve had time to relax, give you the time you need to get stuck into a new course or new methodology book, without distractions.
It doesn’t need to be a course or anything “big”, either. I’m releasing a series of five-minute YouTube videos during July and August to help you explore different aspects of your teaching with practical ideas and tips. Go and subscribe now so you don’t miss out!
How I’m Developing Over the Summer
As a freelance trainer and writer, I never really stop. There’s always something to do, whether that’s boring stuff like accounts and setting up email automations (in the attempt to streamline just a little!) or fun stuff like creating YouTube videos (like the ones I just mentioned) or blog posts. And of course, the social media stuff is never ending!
However, there are still things I need to learn. I’ve just finished Lottie Galpin’s fabulous course An Introduction to Inclusive ELT Materials and I’m about to start a course on marketing (not my favourite subject but one I need to learn more about!).
Choosing the best course format
If you do decide you want to take a course, and you’re not sure whether to do it now, in the summer or in term time, there are a few things to consider.
How much time do you have now (and later)? If you have a lot of free time now, a short intensive course could be ideal. You spend the time when you have it, rather than starting something you’re not sure you’ll be able to finish later on.
If you can spare a couple of hours a week during term time, then a longer course might work better for you. Courses that run over a period of several weeks or months allow you to reflect on your learning and go into more detail.
Because no teacher has the same circumstances, I wanted to offer both options for my course Inclusive Approaches for Primary Teachers.
This is usually a six-week course run during term time. But I’m now offering it as a semi-intensive course. Introducing the Inclusive Approaches Bootcamp!
Designed to empower young learner teachers with the knowledge and skills needed to create a truly inclusive classroom environment, the course will run over two weeks between the 7th and 20th of August.
On the bootcamp, you’ll:
- Develop a deep understanding of inclusive teaching practices
- Learn strategies to cater to diverse learner needs and abilities
- Gain confidence in creating an inclusive classroom environment
You can find out more (and book your place) here: Inclusive Approaches Bootcamp (michelleworgan.com)
Yes, you’re on holiday, but you can still try to make the most of CPD opportunities during this period. Use the summer to reflect, plan, and enhance your teaching practices. Whether you choose short bursts of self-study or an intensive course like the Inclusive Approaches Bootcamp, every step you take towards your development will ultimately benefit your students.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your classroom experience and create a positive impact on your students this summer!
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