Teaching is and always has been a year-round job. Even when educators are not working during the summer months, they are always planning for the year ahead. This has not changed in the 21st century. In fact, teachers might work harder now than ever. While summer is the perfect time for teachers to relax and recharge their batteries, it also…

This article describes the Sue Rose Summer Institute for Teachers at the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture, which, for 30 years, has treated teachers as intellectuals. To that end, the nonprofit educational organization offers teachers from all grade levels and all disciplines an experience that either reacquaints them with or introduces…

During the past five years, the authors have collaborated to provide elementary school teachers with professional development that focuses on both mathematical content and pedagogy. All the professional development was created in keeping with the best practices. Many conversations evolved around the role of a coach and the most effective ways to…

From summer programs in archaeology or Russian to teaching abroad for a year or more, there are many opportunities available for teachers. This article describes unique programs in archeology, geology, astronomy, botany, and oceanography that are available as summer programs; master's programs in languages, administration, writing, and Teaching…

There are so many great ways to extend oneself professionally--or personally--over the summer. This paper presents several opportunities for summer 2009: (1) The Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative; (2) Courage to Teach; (3) University of South Carolina's Summer Institute in Computer Science; (4) Online Program in Online Teaching; and (5) College Board…

Describes a unique and successful approach to summertime English teacher education courses--the three-week program at the University of Calgary, Alberta (Canada). (RL)

This article describes a multifaceted program that improves the mathematics instruction in a school district's 10 lowest-performing schools. This program includes seven support components--including monetary incentives for teachers, professional development, education technology, and reduced class sizes. After three years, results show that the…

Purdue University recently received $1.2M in funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for the development of educational programs for high school teachers, high school counselors, and high school students. The purpose of these intervention programs is to show that women (and men) can have interesting, useful, and society-impacting…

Every time music educators gather, whether at a national conference or at a local coffee shop, professional development can occur. The common denominator is always communication of ideas and experiences that result in some sort of learning--generally among all parties involved. As such, all school districts should invest in high-quality and…

Describes a drama workshop conducted with the Maryland Writing Project Summer Teacher Institute by two visiting teacher trainers from London. Provides examples of drama methodologies using a Shakespearean text--"Midsummer Night's Dream"--and invites joint enquiry into opportunities for writing. Designs workshop activities to make them…

This article describes a year-long professional development institute combined with a summer camp for students. Both were designed to help teachers and students develop their problem-solving and problem-posing abilities.

Describes events of the Maine Writing Project Summer Institute. Notes that what happened in this past summer's institute can serve as a model for the ways poetry can be integrated throughout educators' work with students and throughout the lives of educators. (SG)

This paper contains a summary of the impact of writing projects that are modeled after and partially funded by the Bay Area Writing Project and emphasizes the growth and development of the Greater New Orleans Writing Project (GNOWP). The assumptions behind the National Writing Project that link these projects together, the research that supports…

Describes the experiences of a secondary teacher participating in a six-week National Endowment for the Humanities summer fellowship at Oxford, England. Reports that the teacher went back to her duties renewed through change. (RS)

Describes a summer externship program in Nevada which offers educators a stipend to spend 90 hours at a summer jobsite in their home community. Discusses the many benefits to educators and to employers. Discusses the author's experience in her summer externship, and the deep influence it had in her second-grade class teaching. (SR)