Professional Development

What’s Here

This page provides advice and information for every step of your teaching career, from student teaching to job interviewing to the pursuit of advanced certification. There are also social media resources to connect you with other educators and extend your personal learning network. Teaching doesn’t have to be an isolating profession–there are thousands of free ways to get connected and stay informed online!

Pages in This Section

National Board Certification
Humor Break: Hilarious Kid Stories
Humor Break: Outrageous Parent Stories
Job Interview Tips
Message Board Forums
My Favorite EduBlogs
Advice for Student Teachers–Coming Soon!
Advice for New Teachers–Coming Soon!

National Board Certification

Now there’s a separate page in this section full of tips to support NBCT candidates! You’ll discover the 5 most valuable NB resources I discovered, get tips for managing your time and the mountains of paperwork involved, and learn how to maintain your sanity along the way.

Cornerstone Cross-Reference

Find even MORE professional development support in The Cornerstone book and eBook! Book-exclusive content includes:

Ch. 26: Making the Most of Every Moment
*Guidelines for giving clear directions: how to get your kids’ FULL attention through special signals and ‘magic words’
*How to get students actively involved in your instruction and ensure equitable participation
*Teaching kids when and how to use choral response, and when to use individual responses
*How to maintain control during class discussions and instruction (without yelling or repeating yourself)
*Tips for eliciting student responses: when to call on low kids and when to call on high kids
*Handling the children who always want to be called on (and those who never do)
*How to support  students’ answers and teach them to support one another as well (instead of groaning and getting impatient)
*Ideas for supportive replies to wrong answers, off-topic responses,  and “I forgot”
*Transition tips for between lessons and lesson components

Ch. 29: Creating a Support System
*Tips for building relationships with non-instructional employees: custodians, secretaries, office staff, and more
*Ideas for gaining administrative support: why your behavior in the hallways and in meetings can make or break your relationship with the principal
*3 types of teachers to avoid, and 3 types to surround yourself with
*Finding a mentor vs. finding your style: how to master your individual teaching style

Ch. 33:  The Unwritten Contract
*16 facts you won’t discover until you’re locked into a teaching position: the real deal on supply reimbursement, class size caps, getting new students, planning time allotments, pay scale freezes, and much more

Ch 34:  Timesaving Strategies
*Discover how to be a teacher and still have a personal life!
*It IS possible to work a 40 hour-week: seven pages of tips to help you work efficiently and make the most of your time

Ch. 36: Avoiding Burn-Out
*8 keys for enjoying and growing with students: how to love your students, your job, and yourself through stressful times

Have a Question for Other Teachers?

Post your question on the message boards! You’ll have the input of nearly 1,000 other teachers from around the world.  All you have to provide is your email address.

Recommended Resources

Teacher Humor

Need a laugh, poem, or story to brighten your day or share at an in-service or staff meeting?  Visit The Teacher’s Lounge! All the classic teacher articles are here, plus some new ones, including 10 Reasons to Become a Teacher, You Might Be A Teacher If…, Only A Teacher, Humorous Quotes, and 1923 Teacher Requirements.

Helpful Blogs

Check out my favorite edublogs on the links page.  These are regularly updated resources from some of the brightest teachers, professional development specialists, policy makers, and education experts in our field.

Remember, when you connect to Amazon through this site,a portion of ALL sales benefit The Cornerstone For Teachers. Thanks for your support–it really makes a difference!

There’s Lots More Professional Development on the Blog!

Where’s the Passion?
The BEST Teacher Message Boards
My reviews of the latest books in education
Collaborating, Feedback, and the Fear of Scrutiny
Wanted: Financially Lucrative Career…in Education?
What is the Purpose of School?

If you need spiritual encouragement, check out The Cornerstone Devotions for Teachers.