July’s messages explored ways to assess and analyze our teaching approaches, while taking care to avoid burnout. Experimenting with new teaching tools and techniques helps us grow as teachers, as does finding positive ways to handle challenges and stress. Staying motivated and challenged isn’t about following someone else’s advice, it’s about finding what works best for you. With the right “tools”, we are better equipped to inspire and teach others.  

Assess your teaching practices and outlook with the following posts:  

• Teacher Self-Assessment:  A Checklist for Assessing Your Teaching Performance
• What Teachers Can Learn From In-Class Supervisor Observations
• Signs You Might Be at Risk for Teacher Burnout
• 6 Ways to Reignite Your Fire for Teaching

Improve, organize and prepare with these posts:

• Lesson Plans Revisited:  How Veteran Teachers Can Improve Existing Approaches
• Teacher House Cleaning:  Determining What Lessons to Keep and Which To Toss
• Teacher Survival Kit:  8 Ways to Avoid School Year Preparation Procrastination

As you look ahead to ahead to the new school year, get a jumpstart on your professional learning with our Book Study Tool Kit. Since teachers learn best from their colleagues, a collaborative book discussion is an important way to engage in critical conversation, enhance classroom repertoire, and increase student learning. Download our Reading Guide and Bookmarks for Thinking, Discussion, and Reflection.

Here are 6 articles about teaching/education/learning I read in July.  

• Not one place fits all.  
• Many teachers love catching up with their former students.
• Enjoy hours and hours of relaxation with these “Color Our Collections” coloring books.
• Try these 4 ways to collaborate more effectively.
• Here are a few ideas to prepare for the solar eclipse.
• Procrastinators take heart. You are masters of idleness.

If you're looking for new ways to develop professionally and connect with colleagues, download our Book Study Tool Kit. Professional development does not have to be a formal, dry exercise- it can be a lot of fun and our Book Study Tool Kit provides a great framework to both have fun and learn new teaching approaches at the same time. Click below to download the Tool Kit for free.