Make the Most of Summer: Continuing Education and Professional Development for Teachers

Summer break is a well-earned pause. It’s a time to rest, recover, and reconnect with everything that makes you more than your job. But for many teachers, it can also be a great opportunity to refocus on personal growth, without the constant pressure of the school year.

Continuing your education isn’t about checking a box. It’s about choosing the kind of learning that excites you, sharpens your skills, and helps you walk into the new school year with more confidence and less stress. Whether you’re in your first few years or decades into your teaching career, professional development is still for you.

Why Growth Still Matters (Even When You’re Tired)

You don’t have to say yes to everything. But saying yes to one thing, one idea, one challenge can make a meaningful difference in how you feel and how you teach.

Here’s what growth can look like in this season of rest:

  • Recharge your confidence: If the last school year left you drained or unsure of yourself, you’re not alone. Learning something new or revisiting what you love about your work can help you feel more grounded and capable again.
  • Keep doors open: Whether you’re thinking about leadership roles, switching goals, or simply wanting more options down the road, professional development keeps you flexible and in control of your next move.
  • Reignite your curiosity: When you learn something because you want to, not because it’s required, that spark comes back and can help remind you why you became a teacher in the first place.

Professional Development Paths to Consider

If you’re looking for growth that actually moves the needle, here are a few areas where teachers have found real value, especially during the summer months when you finally get to set the pace.

Expand Your Credentials

If you’ve been putting off a certification, endorsement, or graduate course that could support your career goals, now is a great time to revisit it. Consider areas like:

  • Reading or literacy intervention
  • ESL or bilingual education
  • Gifted or special education
  • Leadership or instructional coaching

Look for programs that work with your schedule and values. And before you commit, check to see if you’re eligible for any teacher discounts on software, tuition, or course materials.

Explore Topics You Care About

Instead of choosing what you “should” do, consider topics that match your interests or pain points:

A focused course or workshop can shift your approach in the classroom, or simply give you the tools you’ve been missing.

Michelle, an English teacher in Pennsylvania, offers her experience:

“Learning about Self Organized Learning Environments (SOLE) was a game changer for me. This method of student learning puts the control in the students’ hands and is incredibly flexible. I’ve also found that it’s a great way to lean into student AI use in a constructive way.

As an English teacher, my favorite time to utilize a SOLE activity is right before we start a new novel. For example, before we read The Great Gatsby, students research anything or everything that interests them about the roaring twenties. Then they present it to the class in any format they choose. The result is that everyone is doing something that interests and engages them, everyone learns a ton about the roaring twenties and has context leading into the story.”

For more information about SOLE, check out this great resource.

Try Bite-Sized Learning

Not everything has to be a big commitment. Short-term learning can make a big impact, too:

These options are great if you’re easing back into learning or juggling other summer priorities.

Low-Key Ways to Keep Learning

If formal coursework isn’t what you need right now, there are still ways to grow professionally without a laptop and a syllabus.

Read Something That Inspires You

Whether it’s education theory or just a well-written novel, reading helps you reflect, rest, and reconnect with ideas that matter. Consider books like:

  • The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker
  • Grading for Equity by Joe Feldman
  • Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain by Zaretta Hammond
  • Or choose fiction that stretches your empathy and imagination

Listen and Reflect

Podcasts, TED Talks, and video lectures are great ways to learn while walking, cleaning, or commuting. Here’s a few to try:

Even an hour here and there can give you ideas to carry into the fall.

Connect with Other Educators

Professional growth doesn’t have to be solitary. Join a Twitter chat. Subscribe to a thoughtful teacher Substack. Attend a local educator meetup. Or simply text a teacher friend and talk about what’s been working for you.

Lynne, a former learning support teacher, says that watching other teachers work is another great place to start.

“The best way I grew professionally as a new teacher was by being in the classrooms of other teachers. I co-taught with a variety of teachers in several different subjects. This allowed me to see what strategies worked really well, as well as what not to do. My advice for growth is to get into other teachers’ classrooms and ‘pick their brains’ as much as you can. They have so much to offer!”

Don’t Let Burnout Follow You Into Summer

Many teachers finish the school year already running on empty. The idea of “improving” yourself can feel like just one more thing. But the right kind of development doesn’t have to drain you.

Here’s a few ways to protect your energy while still taking meaningful steps forward:

  • Take rest seriously. Give yourself real time off before diving into anything new.
  • Pick just one focus. One book. One course. One topic. That’s plenty.
  • Find joy in learning again. You became a teacher for a reason. Let yourself follow what’s interesting, not just what’s useful.
  • Set limits. If it doesn’t excite or support you, skip it.

Chelly, a high school teacher, shares her key to success:

“My advice for approaching summer learning without burning out is that moderation is key. I think it’s great to sign up for a workshop or two, but allow at least a couple weeks into summer break to decompress first. If you have independent courses to do, set aside a little time each week, but not every day. Stagger the work in small chunks in order to still enjoy your summer and do the recharging we all need so much.”

Your Budget Shouldn’t Be the Barrier

You shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket just to become a better teacher. There are more free and discounted resources available than ever, here’s a few to consider:

  • Canva Pro and Microsoft Office offer free educator discounts
  • Local libraries often provide free access to platforms like LinkedIn Learning
  • Many online professional development courses are discounted for teachers during summer
  • Organizations like the American Association of Educators often include free training and events in their membership

The bottom line

You don’t have to take on a major commitment to grow this summer. You just have to say yes to something that moves you forward.

Professional development isn’t a burden. It’s a gift you give yourself, your students, and your future. Whether it’s a credential, a podcast, a conference, or a single conversation that shifts your mindset, it counts.

Start with one thing. Keep it meaningful. And trust that investing in yourself is always worth it.