Essential Resources for Teachers

Last updated 2 days ago. Our resources are updated regularly but please keep in mind that links, programs, policies, and contact information do change.

Numerous platforms offer resources free of charge, often aligned with national and state curriculum standards.

Foundational Tools: Free Lesson Plans and Teaching Materials

Numerous platforms offer resources free of charge, often aligned with national and state curriculum standards.

Character Development Resources

The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation provides free character development lessons created by teachers for teachers, emphasizing values such as courage, sacrifice, and integrity. These lessons include worksheets, handouts, and videos, designed for integration into various subjects from math to music and sociology. Registration is free, granting access to resources for elementary, middle, and high school levels.

University Library Collections

University libraries curate valuable collections of teaching activities and lesson plans. The CECH Library guide at the University of Cincinnati offers a compilation of free websites providing open educational resources (OER) across subjects.

Notable resources include:

• Annenberg Learner Lesson Plans
• BrainPOP Educators Lesson Plans
• OER Commons
• OpenStax
• PBS Learning Media

Curriculum Planning Tools

The University of Illinois Library’s guide highlights platforms such as:

• Common Curriculum – A free curriculum planning program allowing collaborative lesson design and alignment with Common Core standards
• ReadWorks – Free lesson plans and teaching units for reading comprehension in grades K-6
• Share My Lesson – Created by the American Federation of Teachers and TES Connect, providing a space for educators to share standards-aligned lesson plans
• Teachers Pay Teachers – Hosts a wide array of free lesson plans, many aligned with Common Core standards

Government Resources

The Government Information Collection at the University of Cincinnati Libraries lists numerous federal agencies offering educational materials:

• ArtsEdge from the Kennedy Center
• National Agriculture Library from the USDA
• Library of Congress teaching resources
• National Science Foundation educational materials
• NOAA resources

These cover a wide spectrum of subjects and often incorporate primary sources and real-world data.

Professional Development Opportunities

For teachers to remain effective and engaged, access to professional development is paramount. Numerous online platforms offer courses, workshops, and conferences designed to enhance teaching skills and knowledge.

Online Courses

Several platforms provide flexible, accredited professional development courses:

• Professional Development Institute (PDI) – Online courses approved for graduate-level credit through UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies, covering classroom management, educational technology, and social-emotional learning
• The Teachers Academy – Online courses providing professional development hours on subjects from computer applications to special populations
• ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI) – Online courses for teachers and child care providers, meeting state requirements and awarding CEUs
• Waterford.org – Free online professional development, particularly in areas like the science of reading
• PBS TeacherLine – Self-paced courses for continuing education credits, with options for graduate-level credit
• SimpleK12 – Virtual workshops and on-demand trainings across various learning topics
• Model Teaching – Approved online courses for professional development hours and academic credit
• Idaho State University’s Albion Center – Self-paced online courses for teachers nationwide

Workshops and Specialized Training

• Strobel Education – Live-virtual workshops focusing on high-impact teaching strategies
• Smekens Education Solutions – Expert teacher professional development covering reading, writing, and test preparation
• The Henry Ford’s inHub – Self-paced online professional development learning plans
• Library of Congress – Free primary-source based professional development through workshops, modules, webinars, and videos
• National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) – Programs for K-12 educators and higher education faculty through institutes and workshops

Professional Organizations and Communities

• National Education Association (NEA) – Range of professional learning resources
• American Federation of Teachers (AFT) – Professional development opportunities
• EdWeb – Professional online community with free edWebinars and CE certificates

Conferences

Various resources compile lists of key education conferences:

• Elon University’s teaching and learning conferences – Comprehensive schedule through 2025
• We Are Teachers and Getting Smart – Curated lists of must-attend education conferences

Grant Opportunities and Funding Resources

Securing funding is often crucial for teachers and schools to implement innovative projects and access necessary resources.

Teacher Grants and Fellowships

• TEACH Grant Program – Provides grants to students completing coursework to become teachers in high-need fields
• U.S. Department of Education Grants – Various teacher preparation grants supporting high-quality preparation and professional development
• NEA Foundation – Provides Learning & Leadership Grants, Envision Equity Grants, and Student Success Grants
• Fund for Teachers – Grants for teachers’ self-designed professional learning experiences
• Teach.com Grant List – Compilation of grants covering professional development, classroom enrichment, STEM, and humanities
• GrantWatch – Lists various grants including those focused on global competence

School and District Funding

• U.S. Department of Education Programs – Federal programs promoting student achievement and preparation
• Federal Funding Programs – Title I, Title II, Title IV, and IDEA provide essential financial support
• Evidence for ESSA and Institute of Education Sciences – Help education leaders find evidence-based programs
• Grants.gov – Central portal to search for federal grants
• State education agencies like Arizona, Kentucky, Indiana, and California provide information on state and federal opportunities

Classroom Project Funding

• DonorsChoose – Platform for teachers to create fundraisers for specific classroom needs
• We Are Teachers – Comprehensive list of education grants for teachers and schools

Classroom Management and Student Engagement

Creating a conducive learning environment is essential for student success. Numerous resources offer guidance in classroom management, student engagement, and fostering a positive atmosphere.

Classroom Management Tools

• Google Classroom – Helps educators personalize learning, manage classes, and measure progress
• NEA Classroom Management Resources – Tools, tips, and professional learning opportunities
• Edutopia Classroom Management Resources – Roundup covering building positive communities and addressing behaviors
• Miss Jacobs Little Learners – Tools like voice level charts and visual timetables

Student Engagement Strategies

• Utah State University Teaching Commons – Strategies for individual, paired, group, and whole-class activities
• Stanford Teaching Commons – Strategies like open-ended questions and student discussion time
• Edutopia Student Engagement Resources – Tips including project-based learning and social-emotional learning integration

Creating Positive Learning Environments

• Ohio State University Resources – Creating a welcoming atmosphere, getting to know students, using positive language
• CASEL – Resources for building a supportive classroom environment
• Prodigy – Steps to build positive relationships and establish classroom rules

Educational Technology Resources

Technology plays an increasingly vital role in education, offering tools to enhance teaching and learning.

EdTech Platforms

• Google for Education – Suite including Google Classroom, Google Meet, and various apps
• ISTE – Leading organization empowering educators to use technology for high-impact learning
• Discovery Education – Platform with digital content, curriculum, and instructional tools

Apps and Software

Various platforms compile lists of top EdTech tools for classroom management, engagement, and organization:

• Enrollify
• TeacherVision

AI Tools for Teachers

AI-powered tools are emerging as valuable resources, assisting with tasks like lesson planning, feedback, differentiation, and more:

• Brisk
• MagicSchool.ai

Professional Organizations and Communities

Joining professional organizations and engaging with online communities provides valuable networking opportunities, resources, and support.

National Organizations

• National Education Association (NEA) – Largest labor union representing public school teachers and education professionals
• American Federation of Teachers (AFT) – Second-largest teachers’ union
• Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)
• National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)
• National Science Teaching Association (NSTA)

Online Communities

• Twitter hashtags like #TwitterStaffroom and #PlanningShoutout
• Instagram communities such as We Are Teachers and Top Teacher
• Platforms like edWeb, TES Connect, and the Apple Education Community
• Reddit subreddits like r/Teachers and r/teaching

Subject-Specific Resources

Mathematics

• Zearn Math – Top-rated K-8 math learning platform, free for teachers
• National Science Foundation Math Resources – Links to math resources for grades K-12
• Teachers Pay Teachers Math Section – Wide selection for all grade levels
• Math Medic – Free daily lesson plans for high school math teachers

Science

• Smithsonian Institution Science Resources – Science and nature resources for grades PK-12
• Discovery Education Science Solutions – K-12 science curriculum resources
• We Are Teachers Science Hub – Free science activities, videos, and articles
• Kesler Science – Membership with thousands of science lessons for grades 4-8
• Virtual Science Teachers – Free online science interactives

English Language Arts

• Teach Starter ELA Resources – Various resources for elementary grades
• NCTE Resources – For ELA teachers across all levels
• Facing History and Ourselves – ELA resources for grades 6-12
• Language Arts Teachers – Ready-made unit plans for middle school ELA

Social Studies

• Smithsonian Institution Social Studies Resources – Social studies and civics resources for grades PK-12
• TCI Social Studies – Curriculum and textbooks for middle school
• Thinkport – Middle school social studies lessons and resources
• Poptential – Free high school social studies resources that tie in pop culture

Teacher Well-being Resources

Recognizing the demanding nature of teaching, numerous resources support teacher well-being, including mental health and stress management.

Mental Health Support

Several organizations provide mental health resources for teachers:

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
• U.S. Department of Education mental health resources
• National Education Association (NEA) member resources
• California Teachers Association (CTA) mental health support
• The Kids Mental Health Foundation teacher toolkits
• Well Beings resources
• Starling Minds online CBT training

Stress Management Techniques

Effective stress management is crucial for teachers’ well-being:

• Practicing breathing exercises
• Embracing a “good enough” rather than perfect mindset
• Cultivating gratitude
• Setting clear boundaries between work and personal life
• Learning to say “no” to additional commitments
• Prioritizing self-care activities
• Using mindfulness and meditation techniques
• Engaging in hobbies and physical activity
• Monitoring mood and practicing self-compassion

Resources like EdWeek, Acacia, and EVERFI offer further insights and actionable tips for managing stress effectively.

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