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10 TED Talks

That Will Actually Make You Excited to Teach Again

Skip the boring PD. Watch these instead.

Look, we get it. Summer + professional development = hard pass.

BUT- I’m a firm believer that PD can actually be incredibly helpful! You might already know that I’m on a mission to bring joyful and culturally responsive teaching to educators like YOU. Maybe we haven’t had the opportunity to work together yet, so in the meantime, here’s a few videos that you might enjoy this summer! 

These 10 TED Talks will reignite your passion AND give you fresh ideas for fall. No boring PowerPoints. No educational jargon. Just pure inspiration.

🔥 Your Must-Watch List

1. “How to Escape Education’s Death Valley” – Sir Ken Robinson
 Why standardized education fails and how every student can flourish.

2. “The Danger of a Single Story” – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
 See your students as whole humans, not just test scores.

3. “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” – Angela Lee Duckworth *Is “grit” kind of a education buzzword? Yes. Do I still think it can help students? Also YES!
 Plot twist: Success isn’t about being smart.

4. “The Power of Believing That You Can Improve” – Carol Dweck
 How “not yet” can revolutionize your classroom.

5. “Every Kid Needs a Champion” – Rita Pierson *This one is my personal fave!*
 Relationships > curriculum. Bring tissues for this one.

6. “5 Ways to Lead in an Era of Constant Change” – Jim Hemerling
 Perfect for navigating education’s constant chaos.

7. “How to Make Stress Your Friend” – Kelly McGonigal
 Transform your relationship with classroom stress.

8. “How Schools Kill Creativity” – Sir Ken Robinson * Ken Robinson is on here twice because he’s SO amazing! Seriously, I saw him in person once, and it totally shifted my perspective!
 Are we preparing kids for the future or the past?

9. “The Puzzle of Motivation” – Dan Pink
 What really motivates students (and teachers).

10. “We Need to Talk About an Injustice” – Bryan Stevenson
 Essential for educators committed to equity.

BONUS “How to Teach Kids about Taboo Topics” – Liz Klienrock 

Essential now more than ever!

Your Summer Challenge

Pick 3 talks that speak to you right now. Watch them with your morning coffee or during lunch.

Then:

  • Reflect: What hit you?
  • Connect: How does this apply to YOUR classroom?
  • Act: Pick ONE thing you’ll try differently this fall

The Bottom Line

This IS professional development. But the kind that actually matters. The kind that reminds you why you’re amazing at what you do.

Your students will thank you for it.

If you’re ready to leave boring PD behind and ready for a unique, joyful experience, in a way that is not motivational but transformational click here to learn more!

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PS. Which talk will you start with? Respond and let me know!