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