This guide for middle level educators is intended to aid teachers in finding valuable online resources, including videos, lesson plans, curriculum and professional development and peer-networking.

General Education and Association Resources

•Association for Middle Level Education Established in 1973 as the National Middle School Association, the AMLE is the only national organization dedicated solely to middle level education. Their homepage offers a large number of resources, including publications, professional development and preparation, research, networking and classroom management. Also check out AMLE on Facebook, AMLE on Twitter and AMLE on Linkedin.
•Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) This member-organization and its website offers resources for teachers aimed at developing programs, curriculum and initiatives to keep education current and effective.
•National Education Association
The Tools and Ideas section of this site offers lesson plans, classroom management.
•National Association of State Boards of Education Founded in 1958, the NASBE represents state boards of education on the national level.
•National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform An alliance of teachers, national associations, professional organizations and researchers, this site is dedicated to forward thinking in the classroom.
•Edutopia.org: Grade Level 6-8 In conjunction with the George Lucas Educational Foundation, this site shares learning strategies, teacher resources and professional development.
•MiddleWeb.com The site offers resource links, guest posting, book reviews and interviews.
•Middleschool.net Established by a grant from the ASCD, this site is for teachers by teachers, offering curriculum resources by subject, reference materials, lesson plans and information on professional development.
•Teachers.Net: Middle School Lesson Plans A collection of lesson plans in a wide variety of subjects.
•Teaching Today: Middle School Resources Published by Glencoe and McGraw-Hill, this is a resource list specifically for middle level teachers.
•Share My Lesson.com: Middle School Portal Provides more than 50,000 resources, such as worksheets, lesson plans, flashcards, puzzles and ideas. These resources are also grouped by subject.
•Annenberg Learner This site offers multimedia resources including video workshops, lesson plans and interactives. See Grades 6-8 Resources, Grades 6-8 Lesson Plans and Grades 6-8 Interactives.
•Discovery Education: Free 6-8 Teacher Resources Resources include lesson plans, worksheets, professional development tools and instructional services.
•Lesson Plans Page Sponsored by Concordia University in Portland, Oregon, this site is a free resource of lesson plans created by teachers. Teachers can search for lesson plans and share their own. Listings are searchable by subject and grade.
•Lesson Planet Searchable database with more than 400,000 online lesson plans, worksheets, videos and presentations.

Math and Science Education Resources

•Middle School Portal 2: Math and Science Pathways Funded by the National Science Foundation, this site is an online social network for math and science educators.
•National Council for Teachers of Mathematics: Middle School Resources Offers publications and other resources, including activities, guides and curriculum.
•Finding Dulcinea: Teaching Resources for Middle School Math Online resources for teaching pre-algebra, algebra and geometry.
•The Science Spot Resources for both middle school teachers and students.
•Middle School Chemistry This site offered through the American Chemical Society contains lesson plans and multimedia presentations for students, as well as information on upcoming workshops for educators.
•American Association for the Advancement of Science:Center for Curriculum Materials in Science In conjunction with the National Science Foundation, this site is a forum of educators, administrators and research dedicated to the development of instructional materials in science education.

Language Arts Education Resources

•Dream in Color: A Resource Guide for Middle School Teachers Provided by the Poetry Foundation, this PDF is a resource guide for teaching African American poetry.
•Ocean County Library: Resources for Middle School Teachers Includes information on Young Adult authors, literature, book discussion guides, lesson plans and practice tests.
•Houghton Mifflin English Grades 6-8 This site offers lesson plans for language, including reading, grammar, vocabulary and writing.
•National Council of Teachers of English: Middle Level Section This site promotes the advancement of adolescent literacy and language arts education in the classroom.

Social Studies Education Resources

•National Council for the Social Studies This site offers resources for social studies teachers and including, publications, databases and social networking. Other resources for NCSS members include:Middle Level Learning An online publication, published 3 times a year.
NCSS Teachers Library Collection: U.S. History A searchable database, filtered by historical period and grade level.
Get Connected A networking portal for social studies teachers lists discussions, shared resources and blogs.
•Teaching History: Quick Links for Middle School Teachers Tools for middle school history teachers.
•Kids in the House Links and PDF files for teaching the structure of the United States government.
•Academy Curricular Exchange for Social Studies A large list of lesson plans and ideas.
•World History of All of Us History and geography resources provided on the San Diego State University website.
•A Teacher’s Guide to the Holocaust Activities, lesson plans and ideas for teaching the Holocaust at the middle level.

Art and Music Education Resources

•The Teaching Palette This site by teachers Hillary Andrik and Theresa McGeeoffers offers art-related topics, including classroom management, teacher-authored product reviews and music and art integration.
•National Art Education Association Resources, networking and professional development for educators of the visual arts.
•K-12 Resource for Music Educators A resource list of lesson plans, associations and networking links for music teachers.
•National Association for Music Education A large resource for music education, including lesson plans, programs, news, events and community forums.
•Arts Education Teacher Handbook Offered through the Public Schools of North Carolina website, this resource contains music lesson plans.
•PBS Great Performances: Culture and Art Lesson Plans for Teachers A resource for teachers that includes multimedia presentations, composer biographies and lesson plans, searchable by grade level and program.

Technology and Computer Science Education Resources

•Apps in Education This tech blog provides information and links for educational iPad apps.
•Association for Educational Communications and Technology Dedicated to the improvement of teaching through the use of new technological achievements, this site offers publications, forums and information on conferences, research initiatives and the latest news.
•Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education Publications, a digital library and information on conferences, networking and events.
•Tech Tips for Tech Teachers: Middle School Computer Lessons A blog offering tips and ideas for computer science teachers.
•Middle School Computer Science Found on the Kentucky Country Day School website, this resource offers resources for computer science for grades 5-8.
•Computer Teacher Resources A large list of resources, lesson plans, programming and professional organizations for computer educators.

Publications, Journals and Newsletters

•Middle School Journal Refereed journal available to AMLE members, published five times a year.
•Research in Middle Level Education Online An international peer-reviewed journal published by the AMLE, providing research studies and results.
•Middle E-Connections Published monthly during the school year, this e-newsletter is for AMLE members, discussing trends and issues in middle level education.
•Middle Level Insider Articles, education news, videos and other resources specific to middle level education.
•Classroom Connections Useful tips and ideas for AMLE members from other teachers and administrators.
•Middleweb SmartBrief Twice weekly e-newsletter offered through Middleweb.com offers news and resources for middle level educators.
•Education Week A useful source of information published by Editorial Projects in Education.
•Teachers.Net Gazette A collaborative e-newsletter with articles and other resources.

Education Blogs

•Bridging Differences Authored by teacher Deborah Meier, this Education Week blog discusses issues affecting students, teachers and schools.
•OpEducation A round-table opinion blog for educators, improving dialogue among educators for the advancement of education nationwide.
•Blogs at Edutopia.org Searchable by topics, such as Brain-Based Learning, Game-Based Learning, New-Teacher Support, Social and Emotional Learning, Student Engagement and Technology Integration.
•Classroom Q & A With Larry Ferlazzo This blog authored by teacher Larry Ferlazzo answers questions on a variety of educational topics.
•Scholastic.com Teacher Blogs A daily blog by teachers with an extensive searchable blog archive, offering lesson ideas, classroom strategies, book lists and videos.
•TweenTeacher.com Authored by Heather Wolpert-Gawron, a middle school teacher who was the California Regional Teacher of the year in 2004 and the San Gabriel Valley Outstanding Computer Using Educator in 2009.
•Cossondra George A middle school teacher, Cossondra George discusses her experiences and offers resources for other middle school teachers. Her award-winning blog was voted Top 30 blogs for Teachers in 2012 and won the 2011 Fascination Award for Top 100 blogs.
•Learner Log Offered by the Annenberg Learner, this blog furthers the mission of excellence in education.

Education Resources on Pinterest

•Middle School Teacher Resources by Katelyn Black 45 pins of teaching resources, including tutorials, ideas, classroom management with an emphasis on art education.
•Science Resources for Middle School Teachers 53 pins relating to science education in middle school.
•Middle School Math 153 pins dealing with math-relating teaching resources.
•Teachers Pay Teachers Middle School/Junior High Teacher Resources
334 pins of resources, ideas and teacher-made products found on Teachers Pay Teachers.
•Middle School Science by Fun Homeschool Mom 34 pins relating to science, including videos, website links, lesson plans and recommendations.
•Spanish Teachers: Resources for Middle School Spanish by Marlene McLellan 133 pins relating to Spanish education for middle schools, including posters, lesson plans and videos.
•Middle School/Junior High Teaching Tools by Learn with Watts 1349 pins of resources for a variety of subjects.
•Middle School Speed, Agility & Quickness Physical Education by Matt Pomeroy 25 pins with videos and resources regarding physical education at the middle level.
•Middle School Lesson Plan by Whitney Murray 51 pins with activities, ideas and lesson plans for middle level art education.
•Middle School Lesson Plan Resource by Anita C. 75 pins with resources of lesson plans, website links and templates for educators.
•French Middle School Lesson Plans by Sherry Schermerhorn 25 pins with resources and ideas for French language education.
•Be Bully Free Middle School Lesson Plans by Debbie Dunn 20 pins with slideshows and lesson plans for teaching anti-bullying in middle schools.
•Middle School ideas, lesson plans and Activities by Faten Abdallah 140 pins with ideas and lesson plans covering a wide array of subjects.
•Middle School General Music by Lauren 87 pins of resources for music at the middle level.

Education Resources on Facebook

•Middle School Teachers Rock! An open-member group has more than 500 members sharing and collaborating.
•Middle School Teachers A place for sharing lesson plans and ideas.
•Middle School Math Teachers A meeting place for math teachers for sharing ideas.

Education Resources on Twitter

•PBS Teachers
•We Are Teachers
•McGrawHill Education on Twitter Teaching and learning solutions in the 21st century

Education Resource Videos and YouTube Channels

•Teaching Channel Videos talking about all aspects of teaching, including lesson plans, behavior, engagement, collaboration, common core and theories in practice.
•Common Sense Educators
A YouTube channel offering curriculum, tips and professional development for educators.
•Google in Education
This page features a collection of YouTube video channels for educators. Featured channels include YouTube Teachers, Google Science Fair, Scientific American Space Lab and Chromebook Classroom
•Ignite Learning Educational media for children in grades 4-8.
•Facing the Future Educational media dedicated to education about sustainable energy and green solutions.
•Morgan Lemmon Videos for Special Education at the Middle School Level.
•New Teacher Center Dedicated to the advancement of students by providing resources for teachers, including mentoring and professional development programs.

Resources for Professional Education and Development

•50 States Certification Requirements Clickable menu listed by state offered through the University of Kentucky, providing teachers with state-by-state certification requirements.
•Middle School Teacher: Requirements to Teach Middle School A resource for understanding the requirements for current and soon-to-be teachers.
•Graduate STEM Fellows in K-12 Education In conjunction with the National Science Foundation, this grant is for graduate education students in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
•Teachers-College Scholarships, Graduate Fellowships, Postdoctoral Awards
This resource list compiled by Francisco Alberto Tomei provides information for funding the education and professional development for educators

This guide provides a collection of online resources for current elementary school teachers and those aspiring to become elementary school teachers. This online resource guide includes links to elementary level teaching associations, conferences, government education agencies, accreditation agencies, and scholarly resources for educators. It also highlights a number of popular elementary education blogs and social media accounts. Each resource below includes a link and a brief description of the resource and its relation to elementary education. The links are organized by category, to help you find the resources that will best help you to begin or further your career as an elementary school teacher.

Government Education Agencies and Educator Accreditation

United States Department of Education – The Department of Education website contains classroom resources and the latest news in educational reform. Aspiring elementary school teachers can utilize the State Department of Education Listing to find the specific teacher certification requirements for their state.

TEACH – Originally an initiative of the United States Department of Education, and now operated by Microsoft, TEACH aims to increase awareness of and garner support for teaching as a profession. TEACH.org offers practical help in the form of scholarships, certification information, and resume and interview advice, while also offering inspirational videos of real teachers discussing the teaching profession.

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation – The CAEP is the sole accreditor for P-12 educator preparation in the U.S. The National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education provides an overview of the CAEP accreditation process as well as a list of accredited institutions.

National Center for Alternative Certification – Founded in 2003 with a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the National Center for Alternative Certification offers information and resources for people looking to become certified teachers through alternative routes. These alternative routes to certification differ by state; more detailed information can be found on the NCAC’s website.

Teacher Associations

National Association for the Education of Young Children – The NAEYC is an organization for the betterment of education for young children. The organization’s mission is to defend the needs and rights of these children primarily by supplying educational and developmental resources for early childhood educators.

Association for Childhood Education International – The ACEI is a charitable organization that focuses on providing new approaches to childhood education and ensuring that these approaches are applied in ways that help children improve and succeed. This international organization also publishes the award-winning journal Childhood Education.

National Council for the Social Studies – The NCSS is a national organization that provides support and leadership for teachers of social studies in elementary, secondary, and post-secondary institutions. The organization’s primary publications include Social Studies and the Young Learner, a journal devoted to the teaching of social studies in elementary schools, and the organization provides resources and holds conferences for social studies teachers of all grade levels.

National Council for Teachers of Mathematics – The NCTM is a national organization that promotes high quality mathematics education through leadership, professional development, vision, and research. The NCTM publishes a number of peer-reviewed journals, including Children and Mathematics, Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, and Mathematics Teacher Education. The NCTM also offers regional conferences, as well as a number of online resources for educators.

National Science Teachers Association – Founded in 1944, the NSTA is an organization devoted to the promotion of excellence in science education. NSTA’s over 60,000 members include science teachers and administrators from elementary, secondary, and post-secondary institutions, as well as scientists and business representatives in the field of science.

The Early Childhood Education Assembly – The Early Childhood Education Assembly aims to promote literacy teaching in elementary schools. The Assembly is a subgroup of the National Council of Teachers of English, a national association that promotes high quality English and language arts education at all levels. The ECEA offers a number of scholarships and publishes a yearbook, Perspectives and Provocations in Early Childhood Education, containing scholarly contributions from its members.

National Art Education Association – Founded in 1947, the NAEA is an association for teachers of the visual arts in elementary, secondary, and post-secondary institutions, as well as art researches, administrators, and museum directors. The NAEA holds an annual national conference and offers numerous resources for professional development.

Music Teachers National Association – Founded in 1846, the MTNA is devoted to supporting music teachers of all grade levels and promoting the value of music education and performance to society. The MTNA publishes the peer-reviewed journal American Music Teacher, hosts annual conferences, and funds a number of programs to promote “a more musical tomorrow.”

Conferences

edcamp Foundation – This movement aims to provide free, non-commercial “unconferences” for K-12 educators to present and learn from other K-12 educators. They promote participant-driven professional development and hold “unconferences” worldwide.

National Science Teachers Association – Each year, the NSTA hosts one national and three regional conferences on science education and teaching strategy at all levels of education. Teachers do not need to be NSTA members to attend.

National Council for Teachers of Mathematics – The NCTM hosts regional conferences every year that cover various aspects of mathematics education: common core, 21st century math education, assessment, and more. Anyone can register to attend these conferences, which include lectures, educational resources, and hands-on workshops with leaders in the field. However, NCTM members receive discounted registration fees.

National Council of Teachers of English – The NCTE holds an annual convention dedicated to English teacher education. Anyone can register for these conferences, and discounted registration fees are available for NCTE members and graduate students.

National Council for the Social Studies – The NCSS offers a number of state and local conferences and workshops in history and social studies education.

Databases and Journals

Directory of Open Access Scholarly Journals in Education – This directory, maintained by the Education Research Global Observatory, contains over 250 scholarly, peer-reviewed journals in education that are free to access.

Science & Children Science & Children is a scholarly journal published by the National Science Teachers Association. The journal is available to all NSTA members, but non-members can access select articles from the journal’s current issue via the NSTA’s website.

Teaching Children Mathematics – Teaching Children Mathematics is one of the official peer-reviewed journals of the National Council for the Teaching of Mathematics, focusing on teaching mathematics at the elementary school level. Featured articles from past and current issues of the journal are available online through the NCTM, and full access to digital editions of the journal is available to NCTM members.

Journal for Research in Mathematics Education – Another publication of the NCTM, this journal is devoted to the latest research in mathematics education at all levels, from preschool through adulthood. The journal is published five times per year, and featured articles from current and past issues are available on the NCTM’s website.

Social Studies and the Young Learner – An official publication of the National Council for the Social Studies, this peer-reviewed journal focuses on social studies education in elementary schools. A sample article is available on the NCSS website, where there is information regarding how to subscribe to the print publication.

Blogs

Homeroom – The official blog of the United States Department of Education, this blog is regularly updated with posts about instructional resources, educational reform, technology use in the classroom, and inspiring stories of real-life teachers and students.

4 the Love of Teaching – This blog features classroom management techniques, lesson plan ideas, and humorous anecdotes from a current fourth grade teacher.

Learning is Messy – This blog is written by an elementary school teacher of over 30 years who is currently a facilitator of the STEM program for elementary schools in Nevada. The blog mainly focuses on STEM legislation, classroom technology, and teaching experiences and lesson plans in the sciences.

5th Grade Rocks, 5th Grade Rules – These “ramblings of a fifth grade teacher” include creative classroom ideas, lesson plans, a lengthy listing of teacher resources, and some good-hearted fun!

A Year of Reading – Two teachers run a blog devoted to reviews of children’s books. This is a fantastic resource for teachers looking for new literature to use in the classroom.

Two Writing Teachers – Ruth Ayres and Stacey Shubitz, a writing coach and a literacy specialist, respectively, are both former elementary school teachers. These two women update this blog with tips and insights about teaching writing in elementary schools.

The Teaching Palette – This blog contains helpful resources for teaching art in elementary schools.

The Schroeder Page – This blog explores innovative ideas for teaching science, based on the experiences of a second grade teacher.

Ladybug’s Teacher Files – An elementary school teacher who has worked with ELL students in grades K-5 shares her experiences, lesson plans, and classroom decoration and organization ideas.

A Cupcake for the Teacher – The blog of this first grade teacher contains “sweet” lesson ideas, craft projects, incentive programs, and teacher freebies.

Cool Cat Teacher – Vicki Davis, author and classroom teacher, blogs prolifically about classroom assessment, technology, education news, innovative classroom ideas, teaching anecdotes, and so much more.

Regurgitated Alpha Bits – This blog by an elementary school teacher is full of inspiring anecdotes and insights into the frustrations and joys of working in an elementary school.

Twitter Accounts

@usedgov – Official twitter account of the United States Department of Education

@NAESP – Official twitter account of the National Association of Elementary School Principals

@TeachStrategies – Twitter account devoted to early childhood education strategies

@teachercreated – Geared toward K-8 teachers, this twitter account posts resources and lesson plans created by teachers for teachers.

@TeachHub – The twitter account of another teacher resource website, TeachHUB is run by teachers for teachers.

@WeAreTeachers – An online community of teachers of all subjects grade levels.

@kjarrett – Kevin Jarrett, a K-4 technology teacher, tweets about social media in education.

@L_hilt – Lyn Hilt, a former K-6 principal and current elementary instructional technology integrator, tweets about education and technology.

Are you a current or prospective high school teacher looking for any sort of information relating to the field of education? If so, this is the guide for you. We’ve gathered together some of the best information on the Web for current or prospective educators with questions that need answers.

In this guide, you can find information from resources including teaching blogs, professional organizations, conferences, accreditation agencies, databases, journals and twitter accounts from notable educators — all organized neatly by format. Look through our links below to find the answers to any of your questions relating to high school teaching.

Popular High School Teacher Blogs

Want some insight into the everyday life of a high school teacher? These blogs show the humorous side of things, the serious side of things and everything else in between.

The Nerdy Teacher This blog provides product reviews, inspiration, humor, and great resources for project-based learning in the high school English classroom. Great for any teacher looking to implement project-based learning in their classroom.

World History Educators This blog is a cooperative effort from many different history and social studies teachers. They often update twice daily with commentary on the state of modern education and resources for the history classroom. Great for history teachers who want to connect with their colleagues and share resources.

Math Notations Math teachers will appreciate this blog’s focus on providing a plethora of problems to use in the classroom — especially the SAT preparatory questions. Great for readers who want to incorporate daily SAT math practice into their lesson plans.

Coach In and Out This science teacher focuses on sharing lesson plans and learning objectives he has found particularly helpful in boosting student performance. Great for readers looking for resources for a science classroom.

An Urban Teacher’s Education Looking for more of a general overview of current issues in education? This Seattle-based blogger tackles the tricky questions confronting today’s educators. Great for readers interested in current issues in education policy and reform.

Teach for Us Corps members from the Teach for America program share honest accounts of daily life in the trenches as a teacher in a high-needs school. Great for readers working with at-risk populations in education or readers considering applying to Teach for America.

Integrating Tech In this blog, Scott Snyder chronicles his successes at integrating technology into his daily practice as an educator. Great for readers looking to use more technology in their own classrooms.

The Jose Vilson This math teacher and data analyst combines classroom issues with philosophical musings on the value of education and the steps necessary to empower students. Great for readers looking for a more philosophical view of education.

Teaching Associations and Professional Organizations

Joining one of these organizations is a good way for current and aspiring teachers to gain content-area knowledge, boost their resume and gain access to new professional development opportunities.

The National Council of Teachers of English This is one of the oldest and largest subject matter associations in the United States. They focus on providing professional opportunities that allow teachers to continue their professional growth. This organization is great for current or prospective educators interested in teaching language arts, English, public speaking or creative writing.

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics This organization provides the same resource for math teachers as the NCTE does for English teachers. They organize professional conferences, publish articles from members, and provide resources for classroom teachers. This organization is great for current or prospective educators interested in teaching algebra, geometry, calculus, trigonometry or statistics.

The National Science Teacher Association This organization strives to improve science education from preschool through the college classroom by providing up-to-date research and professional certifications for Science teachers. This organization is great for current or prospective educators interested in teaching general science, biology, chemistry and physics.

The National Staff Development council This organization focuses on providing multi-disciplinary support to educators by focusing on issues of professional development and school improvment. This organization is great for current or prospective educators interested in teaching any subject at the high school level.

The National Council for the Social Studies This group focuses exclusively on all things related to teaching social studies. Here you’ll find best practices, current issues, and resources for the social studies classroom. This organization is great for current or prospective educators interested in teaching U.S. history, world history, government or social studies.

The NEA One of the largest education organizations in the country, the NEA provides research, resources, and advocacy to today’s educators. This organization is great for current or prospective educators interested in teaching any subject at the high school level.

Databases and Journals

Need resources for your classroom or academic journals to polish up your pedagogy? Check out these websites to get all the research and information you could ever need about the field of education.

The National Science Digital Library This archive provides digital resources for math and science education. This resource is perfect for current and prospective science and math teachers.

Scholastic These folks don’t just publish the books, they also publish a teaching magazine and provide classroom resources as well. This website is perfect for current and prospective English teachers.

Tomorrow’s Teacher A journal published by the National Education Association, this periodical focuses specifically on new and prospective teachers. This journal is perfect for prospective teachers in any subject area.

The Journal of Effective Teaching This journal is published by the University of North Carolina Wilmington. It’s focus, as evidenced by its name, is to promote effective classroom practices. This journal is perfect for current and prospective teachers in any subject area.

Read Write Think This Web site is run by the National Council of Teachers of English to provide resources and professional development opportunities to English and language arts teachers. It’s a good resource for current or prospective teachers of English.

Conferences

Interested in meeting with a group of colleagues to learn about the latest and greatest advances in your field of education? Check out these conferences put on by different teaching associations.

The AP Annual Conference This conference gathers together educators and administrators who teach Advanced Placement courses at the high school level. The conference focuses on building and maintaining excellent Advanced Placement programs in a high school. This conference would be attended by current and prospective teachers interested in building or improving Advanced Placement programs at their school.

The NCSS Annual Conference This conference focuses on helping educators integrate common core learning standards into their Social Studies curriculum. They emphasize cross-curricular studies and standards for the Social Studies educator. This conference would be attended by current and prospective teachers interested in teaching history or social studies.

The National Council of Teachers of English Annual Conference This conference is a time for high school English teachers to refresh outdated ideas, connect with colleagues, and collaborate on exciting new ideas for the classroom. This conference would be attended by current and prospective teachers interested in collaborating with other English teachers.

The National Science Teacher Association’s New Science Teacher Academy This conference is for educators in their first or second year teaching science classes. Their goal is to keep new teacher retention rates high by providing support in the difficult first few years of teaching. This conference would be attended by current and prospective teachers interested in teaching science and gaining valuable resources for their first few years in the classroom.

Accrediting Agencies

Trying to figure out what sets your university’s education program apart? Look into these agencies responsible for accrediting college and university programs.

Teacher Education Accreditation Council This program is responsible for providing accredited status to over 170 teacher education programs across the country. Check to see if your program is one of them.

National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education This program accredits over 600 teacher education programs in colleges and universities across the United States.

Teacher Certification Information

Want to figure out the best path to your perfect teaching job? Check out these links on how to become a certified teacher in any state.

Certification Map This Web site links to state-specific standards for new teacher certification across the United States. This link should be used by anyone looking for information on certification.

Teach Now Considering a non-traditional route to the classroom? Most states have alternate routes to get you teaching in no time. This Web site provides information on alternate routes to classroom teaching.

The Teacher Center provides links to information on alternative routes to teaching in the Southwest region of the country. This Web site can help anyone considering an alternative route to certification get information specific to their state.

Teach for America This is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing highly qualified teachers into classrooms all over the country. Check out their Web site to see how recent college graduates can get into the classroom with just a few months training. This organization is perfect for recent college graduates who would like to teach for at least two years.

College of Education at the University of Kentucky This Web site has links to certification requirements for all 50 states. Interested in learning whether your certificate will transfer to another state? You can check out reciprocity between states here as well.

Popular High School Teacher Twitter Accounts

Looking for education humor, philosophy or tips in 140 characters or less? Check out these popular teachers and educators on Twitter.

@webenglishteach This lady is a career teacher who writes humorous, reflective tweets peppered with classroom resources like posters, handouts, and reading suggestions.

@blakeplock Veteran educator Shelly Blake Plock shares his views on technology in the classroom, the future of professional development, and the future of education.

@teachhub This account is run by the Web site of the same name, a k-12 resource site run by teachers, for teachers. Their tweets highlight the best resources from their website.

@weareteachers This is the twitter feed for the social media site We Are Teachers, an online community for teachers of all types. Their tweets cover everything from member achievements to deals on resources commonly used in the classroom.

@NMHS_Principal This New Jersey Administrator emphasizes project-based learning and technology in the classroom in his twitter account.

@TLC_edu This one is run by the Teacher Learning Community of simplek12.com. They focus on tech tips, discounts, and online resources that will help any teacher save time and money.

Here are 10 online colleges of education where you can earn your Master of Science in Education (MSEd) online. Every school of education on this list is an established, reputable, regionally accredited institution. The online MSEd programs offered by these schools have been thoroughly researched by our editors and exhibit exceptional quality, high academic standards, and a good value. With any of the colleges on this list you can be confident that you will receive the training and credentialing you need to enhance the lives of students and advance your career in education.

#1. Colorado State University-Global Campus

Colorado State University-Global Campus is the official online campus of the highly regarded Colorado State University system. The university began offering programs to students in 2007, and enrollment has expanded to over 6,500 students. CSU-Global campus has consistently ranked among the top online colleges and is one of the few fully-online public universities.

MSEd Program Overview
Colorado State University-Global Campus offers an online Master of Science in Teaching and Learning degree that allows students to earn their teacher license while enrolled in the program. The program is specifically designed for educators to enhance their teaching abilities and open up a greater range of career opportunities upon graduation. Eleven specializations ranging from English language learning to grade school online learning are available. Coursework focuses on teaching techniques and theories.

Accreditation
Colorado State University-Global Campus is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

#2. Quinnipiac University

Quinnipiac University is a private university in Connecticut with around 8,500 students. The university has been added to such lists as Kiplinger’s 2010 Best Values in Private Colleges, The Princeton Review’s Best 373 Colleges, and U.S. News & World Report’s list of the best American colleges. U.S. News & World Report also ranks Quinnipiac’s online programs among the best in the world.

MSEd Program Overview
Quinnipiac’s School of Education offers an online Master of Science in Teacher Leadership degree program. The program consists of 21 general credits and nine more credits in an area of specialization. The three specialization areas are literacy leadership, mathematics leadership, and program improvement leadership. The stated goal of the Teacher Leadership coursework is to teach students how to work collaboratively with other teachers toward clear educational goals. Like all of Quinnipiac’s online programs, the Teacher Leadership master’s program is designed to fit the schedules of working adults.

Accreditation
Quinnipiac University is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). The university’s School of Education is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

#3. University of Nebraska at Kearney

University of Nebraska at Kearney is a public university that was founded as a teaching college in 1905. Known as Kearney State College beginning in 1963, the university was integrated into the state university system and renamed in 1991. The College of Education at the University of Nebraska at Kearney has been ranked in the top 10 of its kind by U.S. News & World Report.

MSEd Program Overview
University of Nebraska at Kearney offers an online Master of Science in Education (MSEd) that is intended for students who already hold a teaching certification. The flexibility of the program makes it ideal for working professionals who would like to boost their marketability and enhance their teaching skills. Coursework focuses on research, curriculum development and utilizing technology in the classroom. Concentrations include instructional technology and library science.

Accreditation
University of Nebraska at Kearney is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. The MSEd program is additionally accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

#4. Drexel University

Drexel University is a private university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that has been providing students with the opportunity to attend a top rated academic institution since 1891. Online degree programs have been offered since 1996, and Drexel University now offers adult learners the opportunity to choose from over 100 online degrees. Online graduate degrees available from Drexel have earned top rankings from U.S. News & World Report.

MSEd Program Overview
Drexel University offers online Master of Science in Education (MSEd) degree programs with concentrations including special education, higher education and mathematics learning and teaching. Topics covered in all concentrations of the MSEd program focus on adapting teaching techniques to coincide with rapidly changing classroom technology, unique needs for teaching in urban schools and staying creative in the classroom. The degree consists of approximately 45 credits. A select number of MSEd degree programs allow students to earn a teaching certificate upon completion.

Accreditation
Drexel University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

#5. Western Governors University

Western Governors University is a private, completely online university founded in 1997 by 19 U.S. state governors. The academic institution gives a wide range of students the ability to pursue higher education by having no minimum grade point average or SAT score requirements for admission. Western Governors University is one of the first online universities to receive accreditation for its education degree programs.

Program Overview
Western Governors University offers an online Master of Science in Education (MSEd) degree program with concentrations in special education, educational leadership and curriculum and instruction. The program is uniquely designed to assess the proficiency of students in coursework through online tests, papers and projects to determine how well students are developing throughout the program. Flexibility is a benefit of the program, and the average length to earn a degree is two years. Students must hold a teaching license prior to enrollment in the program.

Accreditation
Western Governors University is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Education degrees available through the university are accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

#6. Saint Joseph’s University

Saint Joseph’s University was founded by Jesuit scholars in 1851. Today, the university offers traditional courses to 8,000 students at the campus headquartered in Philadelphia and through online studies. St. Joseph’s University is open to people of any religion and is committed to the complete education of its students, including personal growth and development.

MSEd Program Overview
Saint Joseph’s University offers two online programs that lead to a Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) degree: the Educational Leadership Online program and the Special Education Online program. Students enrolling in the Educational Leadership Online program may choose between the public school concentration and the Catholic school concentration while students in the Special Education Online program may choose to specialize in autism or the Wilson Reading System.

Accreditation
Saint Joseph’s University is fully accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), which is one of the six regional accrediting agencies approved by the Department of Education. In addition, the university has been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

#7. University of New England

University of New England has campuses in Biddeford, Maine and Portland, Maine and an enrollment of over 7,300. Initially founded as a Franciscan boys’ school in 1939, the school became coeducational in 1967 and lost its affiliation with the Franciscans in 1974. The university is primarily geared toward education and liberal arts.

MSEd Program Overview
University of New England offers an online Master of Science in Education (MSEd) degree program with five concentrations including educational leadership and literacy education. Concentrations can be selected according to the field in which educators currently work in order to enhance their skills in the classroom. The entire program consists of 30 credits that are typically completed within 18 months. Part time programs that are flexible for working educators may be spread over a longer period of time.

Accreditation
University of New England is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

#8. Walden University

Walden University is described as an international, online learning community and was founded in 1970. Currently headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the university strives to provide students and working professionals with undergraduate and graduate programs that can be completed 100 percent online. The 46,500 students enrolled at Walden University attend classes from all 50 states and 145 countries around the world.

Program Overview
Walden University offers an online Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) program that has been nationally recognized for its high quality. The program is taught through the university’s Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership, which continuously upgrades the curriculum to include the latest technology and trends in teaching. The program focuses on four primary themes: teacher professionalism, cultural diversity, supportive learning environments and a teacher’s role in the learning process.

Accreditation
The Riley College of Education and the M.S.Ed. program are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Walden University is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Higher Learning Commission (NCA-HLC).

#9. Capella University

Capella University was founded in 1991 as a distance learning university aimed at providing adults with a valuable, quality education. Nearly 35,000 students are enrolled in a degree program at Capella University, and approximately 75 percent of these students are pursuing a postgraduate degree.

MSEd Program Overview
Capella University offers an online Master of Science in Education (MSEd) program with a choice in specializations including Early Childhood Education and Leadership in Educational Administration. Faculty members are involved directly in the field of education and include teachers and administrators. The flexible program is designed to allow current professionals in education to earn an advanced degree without taking time off from work.

Accreditation
Capella University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Programs in the field of education are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

#10. Kaplan University

Kaplan University was founded in Davenport, Iowa in 1937 to provide the community with access to higher education aimed at training the workforce. The university has 11 campus locations across four states, and its online college is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida. One of the largest providers of online education in the world, there are over 77,000 students enrolled in Kaplan programs.

MSEd Program Overview
Kaplan University offers an online Master of Science in Education (MSEd) degree program with a standard emphasis track and a leadership track. The program aims to help educators learn how to meet the unique needs of today’s students, and modern learning techniques including integrated homeschooling and cyber learning are studied throughout the program. Students in the program who have been recognized as a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) prior to enrollment may receive course credit toward their degree. A teaching license is expected to be held by students prior to enrolling in the program.

Accreditation
Kaplan University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Here are 10 of the best teacher colleges where you can earn your Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) online. Every school of education on this list is an established, reputable, regionally accredited institution.

Featured Online M.A.T. Programs

• University of Southern California – MAT with Licensure
• Kaplan University – MAT for Aspiring 5-12 Grade Teachers
• Grand Canyon University – MAT in Teacher Leadership

The online MAT degree programs offered by these schools have been thoroughly researched by our editors and exhibit exceptional quality, high academic standards, and a good value. With any of the top teaching programs on this list you can be confident that you will receive the training and credentialing you need to enhance the lives of students and advance your career in education. Click on the name of each school for more information.

#1. University of Southern California

The University of Southern California (USC) Rossier School of Education was founded in 1918 and is considered to be one of the world’s top graduate institutions in the field of urban education. The goal of the school is to develop teachers and instill in them the ideas that they are community leaders and agents of change.

MAT Program Details
The online Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) program offered by the USC Rossier School of Education is known for its rigorous academic curriculum and selective admission process. Students accepted into the program are taught to view education from a broad perspective and to use new or improved methods of teaching whenever possible. This online program can be completed in as few as 13 months through interactive classes, face-to-face online communication and social networking.

Accreditation
USC and the Rossier School of Education are regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

#2. Western Governors University

Western Governors University (WGU) is a nonprofit online university founded by governors from 19 U.S. states in 1997. Specializing in accelerated education for working adults, there are over 35,000 students currently enrolled in the institution. WGU has garnered several awards for the quality and value of its online degree programs.

MAT Program Overview
There are four separate Master of Arts in Teaching degree programs available at WGU, all of which lead to teaching licenses. The specialization choices are elementary education, science, math, and social science. The social science option, which is for grades five through 12, requires 37 credit hours. The science and mathematics options require 39 credits for either grades five through nine or five through 12. The elementary education M.A.T. degree requires 45 credits and focuses on kindergarten through grade eight. The programs work best for students who can devote at least 15 hours a week to their studies. Most students get their degrees in two to two and a half years.

Accreditation
Western Governors University is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). WGU is also the first exclusively online university to receive accreditation from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) for its teaching licensure degree programs.

#3. Liberty University Online

Liberty University Online is one of the top distance-education institutions serving the Christian community. The university offers more than 45 degree programs and has a student body of approximately 60,000. The nonprofit status of Liberty University Online helps keep tuition rates low and ensures that the focus of the administration and faculty is on the students.

MAT Program Overview
One of programs offered by Liberty University Online leads to a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree. This program is specifically designed for students with no prior experience in teaching but who wish to receive teaching licenses. All students are required to take the core courses, but concentrations are available for elementary education, secondary education and special education.

Accreditation
Liberty University Online is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), which is one of the six regional accrediting agencies in the United States. In addition, the university’s education programs are specially accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

#4. Walden University

Walden University was founded in 1970 by two husband-and-wife teachers who wanted to provide working professionals an outlet where they could earn doctoral degrees. Today, over 46,500 students are served by the university’s online community of faculty, scholars and academic partners.

MAT Program Overview
The online Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) program is offered by Walden University through the Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership. This is an accelerated program designed for independent, working professionals seeking to become first-time teachers. In addition to online courses similar to the coursework completed in traditional classes, students learn through school-based field experience and virtual field experience. Specializations are available in early childhood education and special education.

Accreditation
Regional accreditation has been received by Walden University from The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). In addition, the M.A.T. program holds special accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

#5. Marygrove College

Marygrove College is a smalle Catholic, liberal-arts college with a long history of training teachers committed to social change. Wstablished in Detroit, Michigan in 1905, approximately 1,600 students are currently enrolled in an online degree program through Marygrove College, and 1,300 students are enrolled in a campus-based program at the Detroit location of the academic institution.

MAT Program Overview
Marygrove College offers an online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree program with focuses in elementary mathematics, elementary reading and literacy, middle level mathematics and curriculum, instruction and assessment. As a college with roots in academic programs for educators, Marygrove has been at the forefront of online education since its MAT degree first became available online in 1990. Teachers who are currently working can use the flexible program to enhance their teaching skills and obtain a MAT degree in less than two years.

Accreditation
Marygrove College is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

#6. American College of Education

American College of Education (ACE) is an online university dedicated to training educators based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school provides online degree programs exclusively in education and has a 95 percent satisfaction rate among students.

MAT Program Overview
American College of Education offers Master of Education degree programs with concentrations in educational leadership, curriculum and instruction, educational technology, and elementary education. Students of each concentration are taught practical solutions for improving schools and classrooms. There are also two graduate degree programs leading to education certifications in either secondary or elementary school education. The Transition to Teaching program consists of 10 courses, including 10 weeks of fieldwork as a student teacher. Students can achieve their T2T certificates in 12 to 18 months. The Master of Arts in Teaching graduate degree program includes the T2T courses, three additional courses, and a capstone experience. After 18 to 24 months, graduates are qualified for K-12 certification in Indiana.

Accreditation
American College Education is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).

#7. Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University is a private, interdenominational Christian university established in 1949. Located in Phoenix, AZ, GCU emphasizes applying Christ-centered ethics and values to the workplace. GCU offers academic programs through its seven colleges and consistently ranks among the top educational institutions offering online courses.

MAT Program Overview
Grand Canyon University offers an online Master of Arts in Teaching degree through its College of Education. Students must be licensed teachers to enroll. Two areas of emphasis are offered: professional learning communities (PLC) and teacher leadership. Students in the professional learning communities track will explore the history of PLCs and the traits that distinguish them from other collaborative models. Emphasis is placed on the shift from teaching to learning. Teachers in the leadership track gain the knowledge and skills to become highly effective in instructional leadership, curriculum coaching and classroom management. Students in both tracks participate in an action research program and complete 34 credits.

Accreditation
Grand Canyon University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

#8. Nova Southeastern University

Nova Southeastern University is a private university in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Nova University of Advanced Technology, which would eventually merge with Southeastern University of Health Sciences to become Nova Southeastern University, was established in 1964. The Princeton Review has recognized the university as one of the best distance learning graduate institutions in the nation.

MAT Program Overview
Nova Southeastern University offers an online Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning (M.A.T.) degree. The program boasts a 90% graduation rate. The online program allows for a very flexible schedule, and the degree can be completed in less than one year. Specializations include elementary reading, elementary math, curriculum and instruction, and K-12 technology integration.

Accreditation
The accrediting body for Nova Southeastern University is the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The M.A.T. program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

#9. Kaplan University

Kaplan University is the result of a partnership between Iowa’s American Institute of Commerce (AIC) and Kaplan, Inc., a tutoring and college preparation company. One of the largest and most respected providers of online education, Kaplan currently enrolls over 77,000 students.

MAT Program Overview
There are two versions of KU’s Master of Arts in Teaching degree program. The Iowa certification program is available to students who live in Iowa or close enough to participate in weekly field training at an Iowa school. Students complete all of the requirements for a teaching license from the state of Iowa. This includes the M.A.T. coursework as well as 100 hours of fieldwork, a portfolio, and experience as a student teacher or intern. Graduates will be recommended for Iowa licensure. The program available nationwide does not lead directly to certification. Instead, the non-certification program gives students a foundation of knowledge that will allow them to begin pursuing state certification.

Accreditation
Kaplan University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).

#10. Ashford University

Ashford University is a private university located in Clinton, Iowa. The university is one of several institutions owned by Bridgeport Education, a provider of postsecondary education to over 85,000 students. Most of Ashford’s students are enrolled in courses online.

MAT Program Overview
Ashford’s online Master of Arts in Teaching degree program consists of eight core classes and an additional 12 credit hours in an area of specialization. These specialization areas include subjects like child development, literacy, higher education, and mathematics instruction. The abundance of specialization options lets students prepare for a variety of careers in education. Students must complete their 36 total credit hours with a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average. Up to nine of these credit hours may be transferred from a regionally or nationally accredited institution. Credits from nationally accredited institutions must first be approved.

Accreditation
Ashford University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) and is a member of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE).

We’ve put together a list of our favorite high school teacher blogs of 2012. All of the blogs listed below are maintained by high school teachers who post meaningful or entertaining content related to teaching on a regular basis. Although they are separated by subject matter, there is definitely something of interest to all educators on each of the blogs included on this list.

English/Literature

1.) The Nerdy Teacher – This blog is written by an educator who teaches American Literature, Pictorial Literature and Freshman English. The Nerdy Teacher has been honored with several blog awards, and the author’s approach to discussing all aspects of the world of teaching is both informational and humorous.
Where to begin: The Epic Mock Trial of Mark Twain provides suggestions for how to engage your students in the writing of Mark Twain while also taking on the issue of racism and teaching your students about the judicial process.

2.) TeachMoore – The author of this blog, Renee Moore, has spent 20 years teaching Journalism and English at a high school and college level. Moore’s main focus is on providing insight into the daily life of an educator.
Where to begin: Learning Unchained takes a critical look at the standard school day and examines the idea that students will learn better if they are not confined to old-fashioned block schedules.

3.) Walking to School – The English teacher behind this blog has 24 years of high school experience. She uses the blog to discuss the problems that face today’s educators, and she also discusses ideas for educational reform.
Where to begin: If you are a teacher in need of inspiration or an aspiring teacher who wants to know what is ahead of you, the post Not Just a Teacher is the perfect place to start.

Foreign Languages

4.) Life of an Educator – Blogger and German teacher Justin Tarte discusses assignments, student engagement and the importance of staying positive. Tarte’s blog is uplifting and educational, and it is aimed at his fellow teachers.
Where to begin: Assessments, and the Role they Play in Student Learning… provides a highly visual approach to determining whether or not your current approach to assessments is well suited to your method of teaching.

History/Government

5.) Living the Dream – Diana Laufenberg has taught American Government, American History and Globalization and Debate at a high school level, and she also gives keynote addresses around the country about education. Her blog shares her insights from a long career in the teaching profession, along with suggestions for getting students more interested in history.
Where to begin: If you have ever struggled to get your students to retain information about history, the idea that is presented in Teaching History Thematically should inspire you to make some changes in your classroom.

6.) Mr. Teachbad – Although this blog appears to be purely satirical on the surface, it actually provides high school teachers with a lot of very relevant information disguised within humorous and very well worded posts. The author is a government and history teacher, and his goal is to help other teachers blow off steam while still learning something valuable.
Where to begin: Mass Production of Individuals is a great starting point because it introduces readers to Mr. Teachbad’s witty writing style while also calling attention to the issues that are currently facing the education system.

7.) World History Teachers Blog – This prolific group blog provides World History teachers with a fantastic resource for learning new techniques. Due to the group blog approach, it is common to find multiple different topics posted in a single day.
Where to begin: Flipping the Class When You can’t Make it to School is a good post for teachers of any subject. Through the usage of an embedded video, teachers can learn how to make the most of a day that they have to take off by letting a video they create provide the daily lesson for them.

Psychology

8.) Teaching High School Psychology – This group blog takes a close look at what it means to be a high school psychology teacher, and it is a very valuable resource for current and future educators. The blog’s writers often use real life scenarios and news articles to provide a good springboard for educational discussions with students.
Where to begin: Social Psychology Examples Worksheet provides several questions that will help your students learn about psychology and their own preconceived notions about the world.

Math

9.) Continuous Everywhere but Differentiable Nowhere – The author of this blog is a math teacher from Brooklyn, New York. He uses his blog to connect with other teachers by sharing his daily experiences and some of the math projects that he gives to his students.
Where to begin: The author, Sam Shah, participated in a blog series entitled “A Day in the Life.” This post will give future educators a good look at what really goes into each day of being a teacher.

10.) f(t) – The author of this blog has been teaching math at a high school level for eight years. She is currently teaching Geometry and Precalculus, and her posts cover everything from math problems to the issues that educators face.
Where to begin: Moon Safari explains how the author used the moon to get her students excited about doing math calculations.

11.) MathNotations – Any high school math teacher who is looking for a source of inspiration will be able to easily utilize all of the math problems, challenges and investigations that are posted by this blogger. In addition to daily classroom exercises, the blogger also provides information to help teachers prepare their students for the SAT.
Where to begin: GEOMETRY: When is a Cone Half Full… provides teachers with a fun geometry problem that lets students explain part of the process without using any calculations.

12.) Math Teacher Mambo – The author of Math Teacher Mambo has been teaching high school math for 16 years, and she utilizes her blog to share her experiences with other teachers. The posts contain a mixture of teaching ideas and personal reflections on life in the classroom.
Where to begin: Math Libs is a fun classroom activity idea that was inspired by the blogger’s love of Mad Libs. With Math Libs, students are required to fill in every blank with a math term, and they are rewarded with a funny story that helps to demonstrate their knowledge of math.

13.) MISSCALCUL8 – The fourth year math teacher who writes this blog places an emphasis on providing new approaches to math problems. The blog also includes the author’s personal musings about teaching and life in general.
Where to begin: #myfavfriday Math Poker explains how the blogger utilizes a modified version of poker to get freshmen interested in math. The game not only teaches students how to work through math problems, but it also keeps everyone entertained by having funny consequences for a wrong answer.

14.) ThinkThankThunk – Shawn Cornally is a calculus, gastronomy and physics teacher, and he uses his blog to explore all aspects of the teaching process. Cornally also writes many of his posts from a comical standpoint, and this makes the blog extremely readable for teachers of any subject.
Where to begin: The Central Theorem of Math Education via Infinities, Improper Integrals and My Awesome Students highlights a class exercise that enabled the blogger’s calculus students to use math and rational thinking to come up with their own pattern to solve a problem.

15.) Rational Mathematics Education – The author of this blog is a math teacher who stays away from the typical content of a math blog. In other words, instead of providing several math problems that you can use with your students, he engages his readers on a deeper level by looking at the misinformation that is spread about math within society.
Where to begin: In the post Won’t get Khanned Again: How can Education Help Democracy Trump Capitalism? the blogger takes an in depth look at Salman Khan’s education empire and why it is bad for students.

Multiple Subjects

16.) An Urban Teacher’s Education – This high school educator has spent time teaching several different subjects across the country. He is currently based in Seattle, Washington, and his blog is filled with regular and lengthy topics that will be of interest to any high school teacher.
Where to begin: If you have ever felt like your student’s parents are overly closed-minded, you will enjoy the author’s insight in the post Managing a Healthy Mental Biome.

Science

17.) Adventures with the Lower Level – The science teacher who writes this blog has taught a wide variety of subjects, including Physical Science, Meteorology and Applied Physics. She discusses lesson plans and shares ideas for other high school science teachers, and she also puts a personal spin on many of her posts.
Where to begin: A Letter to My Colleagues… the BEST Robotics Adventure details the blogger’s experiences sponsoring her school’s robotics team.

18.) A Passion for Teaching and Opinions – Although this blog is solely maintained by a Social Science teacher, it contains both his own adventures in teaching and some of the most valuable information that he has gained from other educators. The posts include a mixture of ideas to implement in the classroom and the writer’s opinions about social topics that impact education.
Where to begin: I Support the Chicago Teacher’s Strike – This post might be considered controversial by some readers, but it truly highlights the writer’s devotion to his profession and the minimal salaries that most teachers deal with.

19.) Coaching in and out of the Classroom – The Science teacher who writes this blog shares lesson plans, educational ideas and information that he has learned from fellow educators. Several of the blogs are written in a slightly humorous tone, and that makes the posts very accessible to both teachers and those who have an interest in science.
Where to begin: Textbooks: They Just Don’t Add Up – This post explores the cost of stocking the average school with textbooks versus using technology to put the necessary information at each student’s fingertips.

20.) Jacobs Physics – The author of this blog, Greg Jacobs, has taught all levels of Physics. The main emphasis of the blog is placed on discussing various teaching techniques and the issues that often accompany a teaching position.
Where to begin: Circuit Building Challenge — A Last-Minute Class Idea that Worked provides Conceptual Physics teachers with an exercise that will help their students learn how to refine the art of estimating voltage.

21.) The Blog of Phyz – This blog is written by a Physics teacher, but it touches on a wide range of educational topics. The author often bases his posts around articles and videos that spark either a classroom project idea or delve into some of the issues that educators face every day.
Where to begin: Physicists Prefer Gentlemen takes a look at a study that indicates that there is a gender bias among scientists and how this relates to the problem of getting female students more interested in science.

22.) Science Education on the Edge – Chris Ludwig, the author of this science blog, teaches Biology, Anatomy, Chemistry and Physiology. The blog provides other teachers with insight into Ludwig’s educational experiment with student designed courses, and it also places a lot of emphasis on the role of technology in today’s schools.
Where to begin: Standards-Based Grading in the Land of Portfolios, Blogs and Other Time-Sucking Grumkins: A How-To Guide offers teachers an interesting insight into the process of creating and utilizing their own personal grading standards.

23.) Science Teacher – The writer of this blog is a former pediatrician turned high school science teacher who chronicles both his in school and out of school adventures to provide readers with insight into the entire process of being an educator.
Where to begin: Science Teacher’s 2012 Toy Recommendations provides important insight for new teachers and parents about the best way to encourage an interest in science.

Social Studies

24.) I Want to Teach Forever – The former social studies and math teacher who writes this blog gives current teachers the benefit of his years of educational experience. The blog focuses on ideas for engaging students in the learning process and inspirational tips for teachers.
Where to begin: Project Idea: What if You Lived in the World’s Skinniest House presents teachers with a unique math project that would give students the opportunity to use mathematical equations and rational thinking.

25.) Stump the Teacher – This blog is written by a Language Arts and Social Studies teacher who likes to share both his teaching and personal experiences with other educators. Topics include teacher inspiration and ideas for education reform.
Where to begin: Rules…are for the Teachers… challenges educators to take a look at their role in the implementation of their school’s rules. The author also discusses how powerful cell phones could be if they were utilized in the classroom to enhance each student’s learning experience.

Blogs are a popular way for teachers to exchange ideas, share resources, and encourage one another along the way. We’ve selected 25 of the best middle school teacher blogs from 2012 to help give future educators a window into the life of a middle school teacher.

Blogs are listed in alphabetical order by title.

1. Adventures of a 6th Grade Teacher – Miss Klohn, a second-year sixth-grade teacher, updates her blog frequently with stories, advice and plenty of pictures taken right from her middle school classroom. Her writing style is upbeat and conversational, and her blog includes plenty of great resources such as anchor charts and interactive student notebooks.
Where to begin: Just Breathe, a great back-to-school post, takes readers inside Miss Klohn’s classroom and inside her mind as she deals with the most hectic part of the year.

2. The Classy Teacher – A young middle school teacher in Little Rock shares her thoughts on classroom management, technology, literature and science, with the occasional dash of Christian perspective. Mrs. Weaver has a knack for highlighting little aspects of her day-to-day life that can appeal to any middle school educator, regardless of circumstances.
Where to begin: The author’s ability to pull meaning out of everyday classroom occurrences comes to the fore in The One In The Bathroom.

3. Confessions of a Middle School English Teacher – The author, known as A-Teacher, is one of the most candid bloggers in the field today. One would expect an English teacher to have a great command of language, and indeed Confessions is full of literary twists and turns that make the style almost as enjoyable as the content.
Where to begin: Crime and Unusual Punishment? is an entertaining story of a creative approach to supervising detention.

4. Fast Times of a Middle School Math Teacher – True to its name, this is a fast-paced blog with stories about activities and creative progress in the author’s math classroom. Every post focuses on a specific event from start to finish, including plenty of pictures and bright, entertaining prose. Besides being fun to read, the posts are full of ideas applicable to any classroom, and the pictures make implementing those ideas a snap.
Where to begin: Student Reflection contains one of the author’s most practical ideas for helping students succeed in the classroom.

5. Finding JOY in 6th Grade – Written by a middle school teacher in a big city in California, Joy in Sixth is an always upbeat blog that doesn’t take itself too seriously. In a field that can be all too stressful and frustrating, author Kim never fails to look on the bright side.
Where to begin: I Like Blogging, Yes I Do! is a great introduction to the author’s whimsical style.

6. Flip! Learn! Share! – After fearlessly experimenting with new techniques in her classroom, author Robin shares what she has learned about teaching math and education in general from her students. Her posts weave together day-to-day updates on her students’ progress, information on her teaching philosophy and thoughts on life. This blog does a fine job of taking readers through the ups and downs of a middle school teacher’s life.
Where to begin: Read about the experience that caused the author to exclaim: I like teaching again!

7. The Jose Vilson – Middle school teacher, public speaker, activist and web designer Jose Vilson stocks his website with lengthy, insightful posts, entertaining videos and helpful illustrations. Vilson focuses on the big picture in the world of education and isn’t afraid to tackle controversial topics, including race and politics.
Where to Begin: Vilson does his best work when writing about motivation, as in this piece on Creating a Sliver of Hope.

8. Lessons From The Middle – As its name suggests, Lessons From The Middle is filled with lessons, activities and teaching ideas for middle school classrooms. Seventh-grade teacher Krystal Mills is passionate about teaching, her students, and her family, and that passion comes to the fore in every word she writes. Many of her posts include links to valuable and affordable resources.
Where to begin: This post on Literal Questions reveals much of Mills’ teaching philosophy and style.

9. Life in Middle School – Lauren, a middle school teacher, mother and hockey player, packs her blog with fun class activities, ideas to integrate technology in the classroom and more. Her website recommends dozens of products and tools for use in and out of the classroom.
Where to begin: Take a look at the CHAMPS Bulletin Board post, which combines her thoughts on student engagement with a potentially helpful product recommendation.

10. Little Miss Middle School – The teacher who runs this colorful blog is near-obsessed with creative, engaging lessons and activities in math, science and literature. Little Miss Middle School focuses on timely activities, including holiday-themed projects, ideas that draw from current events and back-to-school and end-of year projects.
Where to begin: Christmas Mad Science Activities! has everything that makes a Little Miss Middle School post great: a set of fun activities, a detailed explanation and a link to follow-up materials.

11. Love::Teaching – Author Laura Coughlin writes this blog with one purpose: to remind teachers of the reasons they started teaching. Her blog is full of personal anecdotes from her classroom, professional development and life in general, all written in a direct, upbeat style that reveals her remarkable passion and insight.
Where to begin: Read Good, Lucky or Blessed? for a timely picture of Coughlin’s outlook on life.

12. Making It As A Middle School Teacher – Educator Michelle Lundy’s upbeat approach is apparent in her blog’s subtitle: “And smiling about it at the end of the day.” On this colorful website, readers will find nothing but positive, motivated writing and links to useful teaching resources and tools.
Where to begin: This Around the World Wednesday showcases a fun end-of-year activity for Lundy’s social studies students, complete with pictures.

13. Math in the Middle Written by a middle school math instructor, Math in the Middle is filled with personal anecdotes, hands-on activities and useful apps and other technology that can be applied to the classroom. The author takes care to include illustrations with every post, and while some are simply entertaining, others are very helpful to bring the material to life.
Where to begin: Ready for Students, the author’s back-to-school post, showcases her narrative style and creative approach to teaching.

14. Middle School, Day by Day – Since 2003, middle school teacher Cossondra George has been blogging about her experiences teaching seventh grade. George’s writing is always candid, occasionally frustrating but usually uplifting, and her narrative style really brings the reader into her classroom. Rather than focusing on academics and curriculum development, she portrays her students as the flawed but lovable young people they are.
Where to begin: Check out So there’s this kid… and the follow-up post for a look at some of the author’s biggest ups and downs.

15. Middle School Maven – The science teacher who writes this blog brings readers into her world with fast-paced, narrative writing. Her stream-of-consciousness style can be a little hard to follow at first, but there is no better way to really get a look at the life of a teacher and coach from her unique perspective.
Where to begin: For an introduction to Mrs. B’s style, her outlook on education and her thoughts on blogging, look no farther than Thank You.

16. Ms. Z Teaches in Mathland – Ms. Zimmer, a California math teacher, keeps her blog frequently updated with thoughts on math instruction and more. The site mixes information on curriculum development and lesson ideas with thoughts on politics, current events and life in general, frequently within the same post. Pictures and tables make Ms. Z’s posts easy to understand.
Where to begin: A Ted Talk and Some Random Thoughts introduces readers to Zimmer’s whimsical style and includes links to some thought-provoking resources.

17. Oh Happy Day – Despite focusing on one of the most challenging career paths in the world of middle school education, this blog maintains a hopeful, upbeat tone throughout. M.E. Hall, a Los Angeles educator who teaches children with mild disabilities, brings her readers into her world with thoughtful posts accompanied by illustrations.
Where to begin: Hall’s honest conversations with her students give the reader a snapshot of her persona and her outlook on teaching.

18. PPerfect Squares – Written by math teacher Pam Rissmann, this blog is full of creative ways to teach a subject that gives many middle school students fits. Her philosophy is simple: Make math enjoyable, and students will respond with better performance.
Where to begin: Check out My Favorite Extra Credit for a fresh look at one of the most contentions topics in any middle school classroom: opportunities to earn extra points.

19. ScienceFix – This blog is one of the best resources on the Internet for middle school science classrooms. Written by Darren Fix, a middle school science and technology teacher, ScienceFix is full of text descriptions and video demonstrations of science experiments suitable for middle school students. Some of the activities even include downloadable handouts and other resources.
Where to begin: Gold Ball vs. Lead Fishing Weight, one of Fix’s favorite demonstrations, makes understanding basic physics a snap.

20. Surviving Sixth Grade – Written by a veteran teacher in South Carolina, this blog includes thoughts on the author’s own students, the broader world of education and life outside the classroom. Frequently updated, Surviving Sixth Grade combines readable, conversational writing with links to valuable resources and timely commentary on current events in education.
Where to begin: By George, I Think I’ve Got It! is all about creatively overcoming a classroom management challenge.

21. A Teacher’s Treasure – Mor Zrihen, a charter school instructor in South Florida, keeps this blog updated with story after story drawn from her classroom and recommendation after recommendation of useful tools and resources. In addition to the entertaining posts, A Teacher’s Treasure offers dozens of materials for middle school teachers, nearly 40 of which are available as downloadable “freebies.”
Where to begin: 5th Grade Literacy Centers includes information on classroom management, ideas for efficient use of resources and dozens of pictures.

22. Teacher Wife – One of the most inspirational education blogs anywhere on the Internet, Teacher Wife’s posts are written as letters, addressed to teachers who are dealing with common crises and reaching milestones in the classroom. The tone is unfailingly encouraging and every piece speaks directly to the reader.
Where to begin: Dear Teacher Who Feels Like She is Failing. The lesson? You are not.

23. Teaching Tweens The Denver schoolteacher who writes this blog touches on every aspect of a teacher’s life, including planning, organization, classroom management and, of course, summer vacation. Her style is upbeat and optimistic while remaining grounded in reality, and many of her posts include helpful illustrations.
Where to begin: Take a look at the author’s thoughts on several classroom management topics in Daily Cafe, Common Core, and Flipped Classroom.

24. Tween Teacher – Award-winning middle school teacher and author Heather Wolpert-Gawron maintains this blog and resource. Tween Teacher includes education news, curriculum design and current policy, but its main focus is on learning to enjoy the often hectic and challenging life of a professional educator. Her tips on teaching technique and classroom management are always insightful.
Where to begin: Take a look at 40 Strategies for Teaching ELD Students for a taste of Wolpert-Gawron’s practical advice.

25. Will Grade for Coffee – Illinois sixth grade teacher Laura Webb has a self-professed caffeine addiction and a love of all things beautiful. Her blog isn’t updated as frequently as some, but her posts more than make up for this deficiency with length and detail, bringing readers to her classroom with entertaining stories and pictures.
Where to begin: Week 5 offers a snapshot of the first month of the school year in Webb’s class.

Blogs provide a great way for teachers to communicate lesson ideas, classroom management tactics and other helpful tips and tricks with each other. We’ve chosen 25 of the best elementary school teacher blogs from 2012 to highlight how this form of communication can contribute to teaching pedagogy. Ranging from insightful to funny to contemplative, these blogs offer an honest look at what life as an elementary school teacher is really like.

Blogs are listed in alphabetical order by title.

1. 4 The Love of Teaching: Great ideas for classroom management are presented on this blog. Learning materials and unique ideas for engaging students are also posted on a regular basis, making this a go-to blog for the busy teacher.
Where to begin: Check out Severe Weather Safety, a good example of how this teacher uses hands-on classroom activities to meet learning standards in her state.

2. A-B-Seymour: Designed by a first grade teacher, this blog focuses on fun learning activities and innovative classroom techniques. The posts range from advice on helping kids focus to support materials for teaching about holidays and special events.
Where to begin: The November Activity Pack post provides a great glimpse at the types of materials offered for free or at a low cost on the A-B-Seymour blog.

3. Busy Bees: Written by a second grade teacher and a kindergarten teacher, this blog is designed to help teachers with curriculum and planning. A wide variety of materials are offered on the site as freebie downloads. Other materials can be purchased at very reasonable prices for classroom use.
Where to begin: Check out the Freebie December Behavior Chart to get a better idea of the types of materials offered on the Busy Bees blog.

4. Dirty Hands and Lesson Plans: This blog combines personal anecdotes with classroom advice to make for a relatable, entertaining read. Like many elementary teacher blogs, the writer uses Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) to sell classroom materials and curriculum support items.
Where to begin: Check out Monday Made It, a post that offers great do-it-yourself projects for the classroom and the home.

5. First Grade Delight: Humorous anecdotes about the classroom are combined with resources to make this blog a true must see for any elementary school teacher. The Slice of Life posts are highly relatable, offering a glimpse into the real life of busy teachers.
Where to begin: Check out the Dr. You Know WHO ABC Order post for a good example of the types of learning materials presented on the First Grade Delight blog.

6. History is Elementary: Most of the posts on History is Elementary focus on particular history topics, allowing teachers who need a refresher to quickly glean important facts about historic events and figures. The blog also includes tips for teaching local and state history, especially when these topics aren’t given much space in traditional curriculum.
Where to begin: Check out Mixed Images…One Powerful Message to understand how interposing different images together can help students learn about and grasp historic events.

7. How to Dress Like A Teacher: This blog by sixth grade teacher Miss Johnson is nothing but fun. Teachers who find themselves stuck in outdated clothing in an effort to stay classroom appropriate will love Miss Johnson’s outfit posts and her advice about clothing stores that offer discounts to teachers.
Where to begin: Take a peek at Miss Johnson’s December 7 blog, where she highlights simple winter fashion for elementary school teachers and provides a run-down of where each item was purchased.

8. iTeach2nd: Straightforward design and high-quality posts characterize this blog written by a passionate second grade teacher. A wide variety of teaching resources, including targeted literature units, are offered on the blog.
Where to begin: Check out Writer’s Workshop and Math Mountains, which provides a good overview of the blog’s tone and the writer’s overall teaching style.

9. It’s Not All Flowers and Sausages: This blog provides an honest, sometimes heart-wrenching look at the world of teaching. Personal reflections on new trends in education are brought into conversation with concerns about how to offer kids the best learning experience possible in an ever-shifting educational environment.
Where to begin: Start with Stand Up and Wave Your Nerd Flag, a post that reminds teachers how important it is to share their own passion for learning and reading with their students in order to help students develop their own nerdy proclivities.

10. Learning in Bliss: Designed for teachers in the upper elementary grades, this blog presents mostly anecdotal posts about life in the classroom. Teaching suggestions are woven into the posts in a contextual and illuminating fashion that readers will find compelling.
Where to begin: Check out Reading Fun for great ideas on combining technology with classroom learning goals. The narrative style of this post is exemplary of the blog as a whole.

11. Maestra Bilingue: Written by a fourth grade English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher, this blog provides targeted advice for teaching ESL. Personal observations about the classroom environment and interacting with students make this blog personable and compelling.
Where to begin: Check out SIOP Saturday 5: Strategies, which offers an introduction to the overall teaching style of the blog’s writer and to the types of materials available on the blog.

12. Ms. Cassidy’s Classroom Blog: This blog is an exemplar of what a classroom-oriented blog should look and feel like. Ms. Cassidy provides a wealth of information about the activities her students are completing at school with enough photo and video material to give other elementary school teachers plenty of great ideas. Other classrooms are encouraged to get in touch with Ms. Cassidy and her kids too.
Where to begin: Check out Twitter in Our Classroom, a blog post that will guide educators as they implement new technology into their teaching routines.

13. Once Upon a Teaching Blog: Written by a third grade teacher, this blog presents a balanced look at life in a self-contained classroom. Teaching tips are presented alongside personal anecdotes to keep the blog engaging.
Where to begin: Check out Introducing Math, a great post about making math engaging in the classroom and meeting core learning goals.

14. Pencils, Books and Dirty Looks: With a decidedly elementary school classroom design, this blog will appeal to passionate teachers who love working with young kids. Personal classroom anecdotes and teaching materials are regularly featured on this engaging blog.
Where to begin: Take a look at the Valentine’s Day Writing Prompt, which highlights the teacher’s use of jar-based activities to support literacy learning.

15. Primary Graffiti: This beautifully designed blog is a great resource for teachers who work in looping classrooms or who are responsible for teaching several different grades throughout the day. Classroom ideas and lesson plans are presented alongside management tips.
Where to Begin: Check out There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Bell for a great example of the lesson plans available on Primary Graffiti.

16. Primary Inspired: Great advice about classroom management is combined with personal anecdotes in order to inspire teachers. This blog features a particularly strong focus on effective techniques for teaching math and basic reasoning.
Where to begin: It’s All About Timing is a post about the blogger’s classroom schedule that gives a good idea of how teachers can get organized and make the most of every minute of classroom time.

17. Qrious: Marketed as a think tank for teachers, Qrious offers targeted advice for language arts teachers. Lesson plans and personal enrichment activities are included on the blog, which is aimed at helping teachers refresh language arts classes to engage all students.
Where to begin: Check out the post Teaching With Videos, which explains how to use free and readily accessible resources to create engaging lessons that students will love.

18. Science Fix: This innovative blog boasts simple, straightforward design alongside great science ideas that any teacher can use in the classroom. It’s easy to search the blog for science ideas according to concept or theme. Special posts that highlight science classroom safety are also included and can be shown to students in order to make safety seem more exciting.
Where to begin: In The Importance of Safety Googles, the Science Fix blogger uses an innovative video to demonstrate why wearing safety goggles is essential. Kids will love this unique demonstration, which teachers can recreate in their own classrooms.

19. Tales of A Fifth Grade Teacher: Drawing its name from the popular children’s book Tales of A Fourth Grade Nothing, this blog combines the personal insights of a mother with the classroom advice of a seasoned teacher. Simple classroom management and teaching techniques are highlighted in many of the posts, making this a great blog for new teachers to visit on a regular basis.
Where to begin: Check out Two Words Every Teacher Should Know. This post explains the power of the words I’ll wait and guides teachers as they use the waiting technique for classroom control.

20. Teaching is Elementary: This popular blog highlights the use of technology in the classroom and offers unique ideas for keeping kids engaged in learning. A wide range of activity ideas make this a must-see blog for teachers who need to add a touch of excitement to classroom activities.
Where to begin: Check out Skype in The Classroom, where the blogger explores how technological tools can have a huge impact on how children learn.

21. The Idea Backpack: This blog is centered around providing teachers with great classroom and organization ideas. In-depth posts interspersed with personal anecdotes make this blog a treasure trove for teachers who need fresh ideas to inspire learning in their classrooms.
Where to begin: Take a look at Laughter as Inspiration and Read Alouds to get a good idea of the writing prompts and language arts idea presented on the blog. The combination of writing prompts with reading suggestions offer full-circle language arts curriculum support.

22. The Polka-Dotted Teacher: Bright and visually interesting, this blog draws in readers with witty posts and great classroom ideas. Posts highlight teaching across subjects and help teachers understand how to use tactile activities in order to reinforce book learning.
Where to begin: Multiplying Fractions with Pasta provides a great introduction to the innovative, hands-on teaching style of The Polka-Dotted Teacher. As with many activities on the blog, all materials for the lessons can be purchased and downloaded for classroom use.

23. The Resource(ful) Room: Designed for teachers who want to find great materials and resources for their classrooms in the most unexpected places, The Resource(ful) Room provides plenty of resource and activity ideas for teachers. A handful of curriculum and classroom management posts highlight how high-energy activities can be introduced into classrooms without causing chaos.
Where to begin: Check out Drawing Conclusions for a unique take on how to teach kids about inferences and conclusions. This post also highlights techniques that teachers can use to maintain classroom control while completing hands-on activities with kids.

24. The Teaching Thief: This well-designed and engaging blog provides inspiration for teachers who want to encourage a healthy, community-oriented environment in their classrooms. Great fictions for kids is highlighted throughout the blog, providing a go-to resource for teachers who are looking for new books for their students.
Where to begin: Start with Celebrating Children’s Literature in October to get a preview of how Fiction Fridays on the blog are organized.

25. Think Share Teach: This visually striking blog is maintained by a fourth grade teacher who presents a wide variety of classroom activities and teaching downloads. A whole-curriculum focus with advice about time budgeting makes this blog particularly valuable for teachers who are struggling with a time crunch in the classroom.
Where to begin: Check out the Student Gifts: Classroom Coupons post to get a sense of the writer’s style and to grab a great idea that will work in any elementary or junior high classroom.

Teaching is truly an art form that takes time and dedication to learn to do well, and as any experienced educator can tell you, the first few years are usually the most trying. While nothing can substitute for personal experience, there is much that new teachers can learn from the experiences of others who have walked the path before them. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the 50 best books for new teachers.

The books on the list cover a broad range of subjects and styles, from pedagogical theory to practical how-to, novels to autobiography, history to classroom discipline, politics to reading, writing, and arithmetic. What they all have in common is that they all come strongly recommended for new teachers by current and former teachers. If you’re a teacher looking for guidance and inspiration, you’re sure to find some here.

General Inspiration and How-To

1. 1000 Best New Teacher Survival Secrets (Kathleen Brenny and Kandace Martin)
1000 Best New Teacher Survival Secrets, is a book by two experienced teachers aimed at other teachers with the purpose of helping them to more effectively and efficiently carry out the most important and often difficult duties required to successfully perform their jobs. This book makes a perfect addition to any teacher’s personal bookcase because while thorough, helpful, and detailed, it is also formatted in a way that makes for a very simple yet informative read.

2. The Courage To Teach (Parker Palmer)
The Courage to Teach by Parker Palmer is a book designed for both new and seasoned teachers based on a spiritual perspective. Palmer covers topics such as what makes a successful teacher, what role fear plays in teaching, teaching paradoxes, and becoming a part of a teaching community. Palmer focuses on the inner life of a teacher, building connections, and finding one’s passion. This book would be helpful for new teachers wanting to reflect on what brought them to teaching, how to connect with students and colleagues, and on the often neglected emotional and spiritual sides of the teaching profession.

3. The Elements of Teaching (James M. Banner)
Before entering into the wonderful world of education, The Elements of Teaching by James M. Banner is a must read work. It explains the qualities that a teacher must have in order to be a true champion of education and how those characteristics come into play in the classroom. Furthermore, Banner combines both teaching theory and practice in his analysis of the optimal classroom to show how they both have a role. It is through reading about the combination of these strategies in Banner’s work that many a proficient and prolific teacher are born into the classroom setting.

4. The First Days of School: How to Be An Effective Teacher (Harry K. Wong)
The First Days of School is a must-read for all educators, but especially for those teachers who are just beginning their careers in education. The book offers the tools needed to develop a winning strategy for a successful school-year. Throughout you will find chapters covering everything from teacher/student introductions, classroom procedures and management, how to improve students’ mastery of the lessons and much more. This book gives new teachers the confidence and guidance needed to succeed far beyond the first days of school.

5. First Year Teacher’s Survival Kit (Julia G. Thompson)
For Years, First Year Teacher’s Survival Kit by Julia G. Thompson has helped show new educators the methods they need to succeed. The book is often revised and updated to keep new teachers up to date on current topics and tips on how to handle changes in the educational system. Topics include connecting with students, helping struggling readers, and working on a team. The Second Edition includes information on the No Child Left Behind Act as well as crucial tips to help at-risk students increase their success. A Fully revised list of resources help teachers find additional websites, software, and more.

6. From Surviving to Thriving (Marcia Bromfield)
From Surviving to Thriving is a guide for beginning teachers written by Marcia Bromfield. This guidebook shows new teachers how to create a solid foundation for their teaching career and outlines steps to take to ensure that teaching remains a rewarding and satisfying career choice. It stresses the importance of relationships with other teachers and fostering relationships with students and their families. This guidebook is a great resource for new teachers or anyone wishing to start a career path in education.

7. Learning to Teach (Linda Shalaway)
When you are fresh out of teaching school, you have a lot of ideas in your mind about the way that things should be done, but you may not have a lot of concrete ways to put your ideas into practice. Learning to Teach by Linda Shalaway attempts to help you bridge the gap between ideas and process by offering you interviews and methods as related by experienced teachers. When you want to know how to engage the classroom, and when you are invested in getting a positive response from your students, this guide can show you how to get it.

8. Letters to a New Teacher (Jim Burke)
In Letters To a New Teacher, people who are new to teaching are offered the opportunity to read an exchange of letters that occurred between the author and a new teacher that he was mentoring. Research has shown that new teachers benefit from the advice and experience they gain from a mentoring relationship. Now, through this book, any teacher can enjoy the advantages that come from learning through the experiences of a mentor teacher. This book can help new teachers to learn how to organize their classrooms, plan their instruction and remain flexible enough to meet the changing dynamics of their classroom.

9. Never Work Harder Than Your Students (Robyn Jackson)
A must read by long time teacher Robyn Jackson, Never Work Harder Than Your Students is a practical and well thought out guide for teachers striving to connect with their students in a practiced and engrossing way. The book is filled with tips, trouble shooting advice, and tools that will help any teacher live up to the seven principles offered by the book and implement them immediately. Never Work Harder Than Your Students should be required reading for all teachers everywhere and will absolutely change the way educators think about their profession and the methods they use to teach.

10. The New Teacher Book (Rethinking Schools)
The New Teacher Book is a true catch-all book for beginning educators, a crash coarse in the real world of teaching. Its a collection of essays by teachers both new and old, sharing their own hard earned lessons and guidance on surviving both the school system, their peers and how to connect with their students. Nectar for the soul of any new teacher scared to continue down that road, The New Teacher Book offers up anecdotes and stories alongside ideas and resources that can uplift and inspire. Its like a grand collection of old friends between the pages of an indispensable book.

11. The Passionate Teacher: A Practical Guide (Robert Fried)
When you are a new teacher, the feeling that you likely experience the most is weariness. Teaching is hard, and staying passionate can feel like a losing battle. This is where The Passionate Teacher: A Practical Guide comes in. This book is a meditation on keeping your passion as you teach, and it is full of examples and interviews that will help you get where you need to be. Too many people think that passion is something that you lose over time. Instead, this book teaches you that it is something that needs to renewed. It tells you where to work and how to get your passion back!

12. Road to Teaching (Eric Hougan)
The comprehensive text on teaching for teachers, Eric Hougan’s Road To Teaching supplies the blueprint for a new teacher to transition to a master educator. The book covers the many unique steps between the first day and the last, teaching teachers to go beyond the prescribed techniques and succeed for their students when the deck is stacked against them. It really focuses on the first time teacher, including information on developing a resume and searching for their first job as an educator. Along with the practical information for new teachers breaking in, it spells out the secrets of master teachers.

13. The Skillful Teacher (Stephen Brookfield)
The Skillful Teacher is an award winning textbook for teachers that provides solid and proven advice for teachers, regardless of experience in the field. The author, Stephen Brookfield, draws on his expert knowledge as the host of hundreds of teacher workshops throughout the years and across many different schooling environments. The second edition of the text updates the work with more information on classroom diversity and the changes brought about through internet based education. Unlike many other textbooks, all of the material is presented in a readable and personal tone.

14. Teaching Content Outrageously (Stanley Pogrow)
As a new teacher, there is nothing more disheartening than looking up and seeing boredom and apathy in your students’ eyes. The truth is that you are not a bad teacher; you just need some help in getting your students excited. This is what Teaching Content Outrageously by Stanley Pogrow sets out to do. There are several editions of this book that concentrate on different grade levels, and each book sets out to give examples and lesson plans on how to get students involved. It shows you how to make your lessons personal and exciting, and it gives you an opportunity to get your students engaged.

15. Teaching Outside the Box (LouAnne Johnson)
Thinking Outside the Box by LouAnne Johnson will give a teacher of any skill level new ideas to keep their interested in what they are learning. If the students are kept interested by the teacher in the classroom, then they are naturally going to what to learn more on the subject. LouAnne Johnson is one of the most respected teaching authors in the world, and she does not disappoint with her latest book. The Q&A section with current teachers and the tips on how to effectively grade make this book a must-read for anyone that has just become a teacher.

16. Tools for Teaching (Fred Jones)
In Tools for Teaching, the author offers up the skills needed for teachers to truly enjoy the classroom while bringing students along for the ride. Fred Jones shows his system of instruction, motivation and discipline to streamline the teaching process while avoiding the headaches brought on from disruptive students and weak educators. The book presents a proper structure for new teachers to follow with simple instructions and includes an overview on DVD with activity guides and workshops. The DVD also includes videos to share with parents. Tools for Teaching is a perfect title and should be in every teacher’s toolbox.

17. What Great Teachers Do Differently (Todd Whitaker)
What Great Teachers Do Differently by Todd Whitaker is an inspiration book that will help anyone become a better teacher no matter their skill level. Whitaker knows that teaching is not easy, so he gives the reader 17 steps to improve their skills. This is the perfect book for new teachers to read because it will allow them to gain new tricks and learn from their mistakes to make them the best teacher possible. If you read this book, then you will know the proper beliefs and behaviors it takes to connect to your students and help them learn.

18. Why Didn’t I Learn This in College? (Paula Rutherford)
When you’re a new teacher, you find yourself thinking more about the things that they didn’t teach you in school. Now, with Why Didn’t I Learn This in College by Paula Rutherford, you can get the insider’s scoop on what you need to know to survive. This book offers you an important perspective on the teaching prospect, and on top of this, you’ll also find some fantastic ways to motivate yourself as well as your students. The information is culled from interviews with experienced teachers, and the book itself is an excellent resource for any new teacher in need of some reassurance and guidance.

Fiction and Biography

19. Educating Esme (Esme Raji Codell)
Educating Esme is a diary written Esme Raji Codell, a first year teacher in the Chicago public school system. Codell’s unconventional methods of teaching are lighthearted, such as encouraging movement and activity during learning, yet allow for comprehension and retention. The diary shows the day to day routine of a first year teacher learning the ropes. Educating Esme is a great read for new teachers and gives readers many examples of teaching methods that can be implemented in any classroom among a wide age range of students.

20. The Emergency Teacher (Christina Asquith)
The Emergency Teacher by Christina Asquith tells the story of a young woman working as a teacher for the first time in one of the worst neighborhoods in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Asquith was able to overcome a corrupt school filled with crime from both the students and faculty to achieve something special. This is a great book for new teachers to read because it will inspire you to continue teaching no matter what you are facing.

21. Horace’s School (Theodore R. Sizer)
With the sub-title “Redesigning the American High School,” in Horace’s School Theodore Sizer has done just that, converting over 30 years of research and study into his image of the perfect American high school. Sizer uses his knowledge and powerful understanding of what teachers and students face each day. He provides this information through the fictional school teacher Horace Smith, who searches for answers within the rigid structures imposed in the current system. An inspiring story that brings issues that all teachers face to light and offering solutions to those educators stuck behind bureaucratic red tape and outnumbered by the old guard.

22. Teacher Man (Frank McCourt)
Teacher Man is a must read memoir for teachers. Frank McCourt examines his thirty years of teaching and the ways that it shaped his eventual conversion to a respected author. An honest, if heartbreaking, story of the challenges teachers face in public high schools. An English teacher in New York City he spent a lot of time convinced he was a fraud. Best known for his book Angela’s Ashes, a memoir of his childhood and upbringing, this book is a fantastic sequel of sorts and belongs on any teacher’s shelf among classics of literature as well as educational texts.

23. Up the Down Stair Case (Bel Kaufman)
Up the Down Stair Case is a work of fiction by Bel Kaufman. It follows the first year of teaching for Miss Barrett, a new college graduate, at Calvin Coolidge High. When faced with a lack of supplies, inadequate conditions, and unmotivated teenagers, Miss Barrett uses the resources she has at her disposal to motivate and encourage her students. This book is an excellent read for new teachers as it introduces situations that many teachers will face, especially those working in lower socioeconomic areas.

Race, Poverty and Social Justice

24. A Framework for Understanding Poverty (Ruby Payne)
A Framework for Understanding Poverty by Ruby Payne is an important book for all teachers to have in their collection, but especially those new to working with the underprivileged. This book contains a plethora of questionnaires, tables, charts, and graphs all aimed at informing the reader on the severe impact that poverty has on those who are subjected to it and how to counteract its effects in the classroom. Quickly becoming the standard guide on poverty and education.

25. Black Teachers on Teaching by Michele Foster
Published in 1998, this timeless classic on the growth of African American education is a must-read for teachers who hope to learn of the history of America’s struggle for racial equality. Michele Foster discusses the history of the disturbing trials that teachers had to face as America’s era of white supremacy finally began to reach its end. In this book, you will be given firsthand accounts of the hardships that were experienced from the 1950s to the 1990s by teachers charged with the education of African American youth in both southern and urban areas.

26. The Freedom Writers Diary (Erin Gruwell)
A large portion of teachers leave the profession within their first three years on the job. The Freedom Writers Diary is an encouraging text for how to motivate students from even the roughest backgrounds, with minimal resources. Teachers often enter the profession with the desire to impact lives. This book contains writing from the students’ own journal entries throughout the year and how the class affected their lives. All of the students went on to graduate from high school and attend college.

27. Holler if you Hear Me (Gregory Michie)
Holler If You Hear Me: The Education of a Teacher and His Students is an essential book for any teacher who cares about social justice. Drawing upon his experience as an inner-city teacher, author Gregory Michie explores the connection between personal and social transformation, helping teachers understand how change the lives of the current generation of students by themselves becoming the change they wish to see. Holler if You Hear Me is a must read for all professional educators who are truly interested in learning to teach with cultural sensitivity, justice, love, and imagination.

28. My Posse Don’t Do Homework (Louanne Johnson)
Louanne Johnson’s book My Posse Don’t Do Homework is a wonderfully informative read that is aimed at teachers everywhere, but especially those whose students consist of troubled youth that lack structure and discipline outside of school. It explores the experiences of a former United States Marine in her first years teaching at an inner city California high school and delves into the ways in which she was able to overcome her students’ lack of seriousness in regard to learning.

29. There Are No Children Here (Alex Kotlowitz)
The book follows two brothers, Pharoah and Lafayette Rivers, living in the Henry Horner Homes, a Chicago public housing complex. The author, Alex Kotlowitz, meets the boys first when they were ten and seven, and he documents the terror of young children living in the projects. An important text that will promptly educate any teacher on either side of the fence with the plight of poor children who are molded by their toxic environment. The author humanizes that environment, bringing the society that it creates to light and hopefully offers insight on the diverging paths the two brothers take.

30. Nothing’s Impossible (Lorraine Monroe)
Lorraine Monroe founded Fredrick Douglass Academy, a public school built with the guiding belief that caring teachers and a creative environment could protect and guide the futures of the students of inner-city Harlem. Utilizing the “Monroe Doctrine,” developed over her many years as both principle and teacher in some of the most difficult schools in the nation, she shares the story of how she shaped Fredrick Douglass Academy into one of the best schools in the country. Another must read for teachers, She inspires hope and teaches her peers how to succeed against the toughest of challenges.

31. Pedagogy of the Oppressed (Paulo Freire)
A seminal text, Pedagogy of the Oppressed was first published in Portuguese in 1968 and translated to English in 1970. It has been inspiring educators ever since. A handbook for empowerment among the poor and illiterate, it has found new meaning in otherwise well off countries, including the United States, where a seemingly permanent divide between the classes has left minorities under considerable stress with few of the promised opportunities really available. A powerful read for teachers and students, it shines light on many of the trials and tribulations of the underprivileged and point to a path of mutual liberation for teachers and their students.

32. The Shame of the Nation (Jonathan Kozol)
The Shame of the Nation by Jonathan Kozol explores the contemporary education system and its effect on students. Modern education has caused a large segregation in many inner-city schools. As the schools adapt more techniques that are traditionally used in prisons, students, principals, and teachers are beginning to speak out. The Shame of the Nation is a must-read for new teachers who want to work with the system while bringing about change and avoid desegregation in urban schools.

33. Teaching Community: A Pedagogy of Hope (bell hooks)
bell hooks writes about the challenge of ending racism and white supremacy. This compelling book discusses the importance of creating a critical educational atmosphere where oppression is dismantled and community is built. New teachers can read the autobiographical narratives and critical analysis. They can learn how individuals and groups can change the system and build a socially just society. hooks encourages educators to acknowledge and talk about race and racism openly.

34. Why Are all the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? (Beverly Daniel Tatum)
Beverly Tatum takes on a topic that is hard to discuss in any atmosphere and then applies it to one of the hardest, our schools. A celebrated authority on the psychological aspects of racism, Tatum not only brings this topic to the forefront but also answers many of the tough questions and then looks for solutions. For teachers, it is an enormous task to change the ingrained tendencies of people, and this book looks to aid those educators in promoting a healthy environment for students to learn about their differences and commonalities, hopefully lessening the dangerous impact of self-segregation.

Theory, Politics and History

35. Bad Students, Not Bad Schools by Robert Weissberg
Robert Weissberg illustrates the shortcomings of a school system that continues to reward failing students. Weissberg refuses to mince words in his book, punching holes in established theory and practices. He points out the gross divide between pandering teachers who scream about self-esteem and those who are willing to recognize that, heaven forbid, some students are simply smarter than the rest and are actively being let down by a system that caters to the lowest common denominator. Step by step Weissberg debunks the political pet projects implemented by both sides and instead offers common sense solutions to the real problem.

36. City Schools and the American Dream (Pedro Noguera)
Pedro Noguera’s City Schools and the American Dream: Reclaiming the Promise of Public Education is a fascinating read and one that would serve to be useful to any and all new teachers. The premise of the book is one that explores the concept that higher standards and more frequent testing of inner city students from low income families does and will not necessarily lead to more educated students. Noguera argues that the true problems and solutions lie within the communities in which these students live, and that bettering these communities is just as important as educating these students.

37. The Death and Life of the Great American School System (Diane Ravitch)
The Death and Life of the Great American School System is Diane Ravitch’s plea to protect the future of public education. A former assistant secretary of education, She analyzes her forty years of experience to offer up an educated view of what is currently wrong with our crumbling school system and with extensive interviews among a broad range of professionals, Ravitch develops what she believes to be the conclusion. Throughout the work she discusses her long standing opinions and is not afraid to admit that even many of her own strong convictions have been wrong. Her insights are vitally important for teachers today.

38. Happiness and Education (Nel Noddings)
Happiness and Education by Nel Noddings is a work of educational philosophy that investigates the role happiness plays or should play in education. Noddings criticizes education’s current focus on largely economic goals such as test scores, job placement, and earning potential. The book’s argument is that educators should place more focus on less quantifiable goals such as building interpersonal relationships, encouraging personal growth, and finding work that is personally satisfying, in other words: results related to the student’s happiness. This book would be especially helpful for new teachers considering what outcomes they hope to achieve in the classroom.

39. School: The Story of American Public Education (Sarah Mondale)
School: The Story of American Public Education is an important text for teachers of all stations, including educators from outside the United States. Written by several historians of education, and edited seamlessly by Sarah Mondale, the book chronicles the history of American education from the beginning. Broken into four sections of history, the text explores all the important eras of education with a well written narrative and stunning photographs. A book that truly belongs in any educators study or library, it can be enjoyed by anyone with a curiosity about the history of education in America.

40. Teachers as Intellectuals (Henry A. Giroux)
Henry A. Giroux’s book Teachers as Intellectuals explores the roles that educators and educational institutions play in society as well as the importance of teachers’ views of these roles. This book can be very useful to new teachers in that it explains how and why it is vital for them to view themselves not only as an expert on the particular subject or subjects that they teach, but also as intellectuals who are aware of and knowledgeable in academic subjects and disciplines other than their own and use their minds to contribute to the public good.

Motivation and Discipline

41. Discipline with Dignity (Richard Curwin)
Discipline with Dignity addresses the most common discipline problems faced by new teachers. It offers a liberal approach to learning that may be useful when dealing with difficult students. The approaches encourage teachers to give students more freedom in choosing assignments. The recommendations allow the teacher to remain in control of the classroom while giving students some leeway, and it also gives tips on how to encourage students to be more accountable for their actions. This is a must-read for new teachers that are not accustomed to disciplining students. Older teachers could also benefit from the alternative discipline methods discussed.

42. Getting the Buggers to Behave (Sue Cowley)
As the title implies, Getting the Buggers to Behave by Sue Cowley uses a sense of humor and some whimsical writing to explain the best classroom management practices. New teachers are often overwhelmed by this facet of education, but the book guides educators of both youngsters and older students how to tackle both the common and the extraordinary circumstances that evolve in the classroom. No matter what type of class you are teaching or what the student makeup is, Cowley thoroughly explains some tactics that can help you have the best possible classroom management skills in the school.

43. Motivating Students Who Don’t Care (Allen N. Mendler)
Motivating Students Who Don’t Care by Allen N. Mendler will help anyone improve as a teacher by giving them the tools to deal with the most troubling students possible. Dealing with uninterested students is part of teaching, but Mendler has found several key ways to connect with these students and help them learn. This is a skill that most teachers do not have when they start the job, which is why Motivating Students Who Don’t Care is an excellent book for new teachers to read. It will give a new teacher confidence knowing that they are prepared for any situation they will face on the job.

44. Reluctant Disciplinarian (Gary Rubinstein)
Reluctant Disciplinarian is a hilarious personal account of Gary Rubinstein’s first years as a teacher. Like most teachers that go into the profession with idealistic visions of the noble pursuit, he quickly looses control of the classroom, over run by aggressive and ruthless middle schoolers. Over the first four years he goes from the softest and weakest teacher in the school to teacher of the year. He humorously enlightens the reader with his knowledge in this fast paced and anecdote laden book. If you’re a teacher locked in a power struggle with your class, this will definitely cheer you up.

45. Teaching With Love & Logic (Jim Fay and David Funk)
Teaching With Love & Logic is an invaluable resource for new teachers entering the classroom and veterans alike. Offering an empathetic and common sense framework for interacting with children, the book provides powerful strategies for becoming an empowered guide to students of any age. With this book, educators are able to develop the skills that allow them to evoke discipline and classroom management. Going above and beyond the teachings of traditional training programs, the authors Jim Fay and David Funk’s combined years of experience serve to provide the psychological explanation for time-tested techniques that actually work in the real world.

46. The Tough Kid Book (Ginger Rhode, William R. Jenson, Kenton Reavis)
The Tough Kid Book is a powerful go-to manual for the new teacher. It details techniques and tactics for dealing with disruptive or aggressive students. It attempts to translate the mindset of these troublesome would be bullies and how to disassemble their behavior in the quickest way while teaching the children about how their behavior will effect the outcome of any situation. Put simply, the book will show any teacher how to handle any student in a way that quickly puts the student on the path to proper behavior with a deep understanding of how everyone benefits from it.

Math and Reading

47. Every Minute Counts (David R. Johnson)
Every Minute Counts is an amazing book that all math teachers should take the time to read. Because the book gives so many excellent pointers on how to effectively and efficiently manage a classroom, it is an especially beneficial tool for new teachers. Every Minute Counts discusses the importance of classroom time management and explains how a teacher’s proper use of time will add to the overall learning experience for students. The book also discusses the importance of topics such as quizzes, homework, and group work.

48. How 2 Gerbils, 20 Goldfish, 200 Games, 2000 Books and I Taught Them How to Read (Steven Daniels)
Published in 1971, meet a teacher who finds creative ways to inspire impoverished and illiterate children to read and discover a new and better world through books. He does this by taking high expectations of what can be and combining them with an intense focus on helping the children in his class overcome the obstacles to becoming lifelong readers and achievers. Inspiring and relevant for today in the face of the ongoing struggles of both urban and rural school districts across the country.

49. I Read It, But I Don’t Get It (Cris Tovani)
Written by teacher Cris Tovani, I Read It, But I Don’t Get It is perfect for teachers struggling to help students understand their textbooks and literature. Utilizing practical techniques that can help any child better comprehend their lessons, Tovani also connects with the reader as a talented educator discussing the challenge with her peers. The book focuses on real world solutions that are fast acting and easy to implement with children of any age. The book provides tools that the students need to measure their own comprehension while inspiring them to keep track and improve on their own.

Self-Care

50. Learn to Relax (Mike George)
Life is rough for new teachers. You have to deal with a lot of new pressures and a lot of situations that you do not feel prepared for, and at the end of the day, you really do need to take for yourself. This is why Mike George’s book, Learn to Relax is so useful and recommended by so many teachers. This is a practical guide that tells you how to stay on top of the pressures in your life while still taking time for yourself. Too many new teachers feel burned out and unsuited for their jobs, but the truth is, learning to relax can take away a lot of that stress.

Image Source

Throughout history, countless students have taken to the streets demanding changes to the status quo. They have been a voice and a banner-carrier for populations oppressed by strict or repressive government regimes. They have gathered together to demand better and fairer education for all. And they have set themselves up against senseless wars and violence. Bloodshed, injury and death did not deter them. They shook entire countries to the core, brought about much-needed reforms and re-shaped the fabric of entire societies. Here’s a look at 10 of the bloodiest student protests in history.

10. May 1968 Protests, France

Image Source

On May 3, 1968, a student protest at the Sorbonne University nearly sparked a revolution. Protesting against the closure of the University of Paris at Nanterre and the planned expulsion of a number of Nanterre students, Sorbonne University students took to the streets en masse. The students, teachers and supporters were also fed up with France’s outdated educational system and the lack of job opportunities for graduates.

Over a period of several days, hundreds of students battled it out with police in Paris’s Latin Quarter, setting up barricades, throwing rocks and braving tear gas. Discontentment with the political and economic conditions in France boiled to the surface, and what started out as a few student protests escalated into a month and a half of utter chaos, during which several people died and hundreds were injured.

Twenty-two percent of the entire working population went on strike, demanding concessions for their working conditions and bringing the capitalist government to the verge of collapse. Despite the injuries and bloodshed, the strikes led to a major educational reform bill, better working conditions and higher wages for workers.

9. German Student Movement, 1968

Image Source

Global unrest was rampant in 1968, and West Germany was no exception. Communist undercurrents were growing, universities were overcrowded, and a faction of the leftist party, under their anarchist-leaning leader Rudi Dutschke, was persuading the majority to take radical action.

More and more students began to go on strike. And things came to a head on April 11, when Dutschke was shot in the head three times by fascist Josef Bachmann, who called Dutschke a “dirty communist pig.” Dutschke sustained serious brain damage that eventually led to his death in 1979.

Enraged by the shooting and the Bild newspaper’s message to “eliminate the troublemakers,” 50,000 young people took to the streets and prevented the delivery of the newspaper. Police fought back with water cannons and officers on horseback, arresting over 180 students.

8. Student Strike of 1970, USA

Image Source

On May 4, 1970, a group of students at Kent State University in Ohio gathered to protest President Nixon’s invasion of Cambodia. Tensions were high, and the Ohio National Guard fired 67 rounds into the unarmed crowd. Four students died, one was paralyzed and eight others were injured. The deaths left the nation stunned, leading to both violent and peaceful protests across the country.

Over 450 educational institutions, from high schools to universities, were closed when a staggering four million students got involved. Mass havoc ensued, with protesters targeting ROTC (Reserve Training Officer Corp) buildings and burning or bombing them.

Protesters turned Washington into an armed camp, slashing tires, breaking windows and pulling cars into intersections. One student described the scenes as a more of “civil war” than a student protest.

Later, even more people were injured when incensed Vietnam War supporters retaliated against the protests.

7. 2011-2012 Chilean Student Protests

Image Source

On August 4, 2011, after months of protests, Chilean students rejected President Sebastián Piñera’s proposed education reforms, and the center of Santiago, Chile’s capital city, was declared “a state of siege.” In August alone, 90 military police were injured, 874 protesters were arrested, and an entire department store was burned down.

The blasts of water cannons, empty tear-gas canisters and thousands of furious students characterized the demonstration. Previous protests ran the gamut from pillow-fights and kiss-ins, to throwing Molotov cocktails and rocks at police.

The main goal of these massive strikes was to increase funding for public education: no new public universities have been built in the country since 1990, and these are swamped with a growing number of students seeking higher education.

Deep discontent over these social inequalities has led up to 200,000 students to demonstrate at a time. What’s more, over 500 police have been injured, one student has died, and approximately 1,800 students have been arrested since May 2011. The protests are ongoing.

6. Iran Student Protests, 1999

Image Source

After a long day protesting against the closure of reformist newspaper Salam, students from Iran’s Tehran University fell asleep in their dormitories. It was July 8, 1999, and social unrest was at an all time high – but things were about to get a lot worse.

A few hours after midnight, the students woke to an unprecedented attack. Plainclothes policemen and a paramilitary faction violently broke into the dorm. They shattered windows, set students’ beds and belongings on fire, and virtually destroyed the dorm. They left many students injured. One student, a visitor to the campus, was killed in the attack.

In the aftermath, the protests, which had previously been limited to college campuses, spilled out into the public arena and garnered the support of many ordinary citizens. The focus shifted to protecting student rights and protesting the dormitory attack. Police and vigilantes employed brutal force to crush the demonstrations, beating people with sticks and batons, detaining others and killing at least five.

Some of those who were detained were interrogated and tortured. The protests were crushed after five days. Yet, although they seemed to end in failure, these events laid the foundation for Iran’s independent student movement, which has been active in the country ever since.

5. The Trisakti Shootings, Indonesia, 1998

Image Source

Four students were shot dead and dozens more were injured by security forces at Trisakti University in Jakarta, Indonesia on May 12, 1998.

Earlier in the day, 6,000 students, lecturers and staff had gathered to demand that President Suharto resign. The economy in Indonesia was at an all-time low. But although the protest was peaceful, police blocked the demonstrators’ march, forced them back onto the university campus and indiscriminately fired on groups of students.

It may have even been live bullets that were used, although rubber bullets can still be fatal at close range. When the public learned of the killings, they rioted, burning people alive in buildings, looting stores and tearing up lampposts.

Although they’d turned out in protest of the killings, the riots soon turned far more sinister. Rioters began to deliberately target Chinese-Indonesians, resulting in a gut-wrenching 1,200 deaths. President Suharto resigned on May 21, 1998. Although investigation into the shootings remains open, the case has been stalled.

4. Athens Polytechnic Uprising, Greece, 1973

Image Source

When their strike on November 14, 1973 elicited no response, students from Athens Polytechnic barricaded themselves inside the university, building a radio station using supplies from a laboratory. They broadcast across Athens, urging the people of Greece to join them in their stand against the military junta and dictatorship.

Thousands answered the call, gathering inside and around the university, in open counter-government revolt. They paid a high price. In the morning of November 17, 25 tanks rolled onto the streets and set themselves up in front of the University. Students requested permission to evacuate, but before the allotted time was up, one of the tanks crashed right through the front gates.

Others tried to flee and were taken out by nervous military snipers on the rooftops. The death toll came to at least 24, with hundreds more suffering injuries, and as many as 1,000 people were arrested. Within a year, the military junta had toppled and Greece celebrated free elections.

3. Tiananmen Square Protests, China, 1989

Image Source

The Tiananmen Square Massacre is one of the most well-known and iconic student protests in history. On April 21, 1989, as many as 100,000 Chinese students poured into Tiananmen Square. And when an April 26 government editorial denounced their protests as “rioting,” students demanded that the editorial be retracted.

Students insisted their protests were patriotic and were afraid that the term “rioting” would result in government repercussions. Next, students organized hunger strikes and soon won the sympathy and support of thousands of students from the provinces, as well as other citizen groups. And at the peak of the gatherings, 500,000 protestors gathered in the square.

Meanwhile, the government leaders were in turmoil. They believed that to back down would be “a fatal show of weakness.” Seven weeks later, matters were getting desperate, martial law was instated and the People’s Liberation Army was ordered to clear the square.

On June 3, 1989, the 27th and 38th divisions of the PLA (brought in from the surrounding provinces) moved in and fired tear gas to break up the crowds. Troops were told not to shoot at the demonstrators, and most of them didn’t even carry guns.

The protestors, however, dug in and set up barricades. They threw rocks and, according to one source, “burned tank crews inside their tanks.” That night, the army returned, this time fully armed, shooting live weapons and famously crushing civilians under their tank treads. Fatality estimates range from the hundreds to the thousands.

2. Tlatelolco Massacre, Mexico, 1968

Image Source

October 2, 1968 was a tragic day for Mexico. The country was gearing up to host the 1968 Summer Olympics, and protestors, most of them students, had been using the months leading up to the games to attract the world’s attention to their repressive government. Their demands included the sacking of the police chief, independence for universities and the freeing of political prisoners.

As many as 10,000 students gathered in Plaza de las Tres Culturas in the Tlatelolco district for another day of planned peaceful protest. And although the rally was initially peaceful, the government immediately stationed military vehicles in the plaza.

Flares were fired into the sky and troops began to fire on the crowd. They may have even employed snipers to shoot the unarmed students and civilians below, at least 44 of whom were killed – although some estimates range between 200 and 300. It’s believed that as many as 1,345 people were arrested.

People fled into nearby houses and apartments, but the military searched house by house for survivors. Tragically, not all of the victims of the massacre were even protestors. A lot of people were just passing through, in the wrong place at the wrong time.

1. Soweto Uprising, South Africa, 1976

Image Source

In 1974, the South African Department of Education decreed that Afrikaans was to be used in schools. It was given equal standing with English and placed over the native Bantu languages of the black population. Many African teachers couldn’t even speak Afrikaans, and students found their grades declining. Worse still, Afrikaans was closely tied to Apartheid and was considered the “language of the oppressor.”

On June 16, 1976, thousands of students walked out of their classrooms and headed for the Orlando Stadium, to take part in a rally planned by the Soweto Students’ Representative Council’s (SSRC) Action Committee. They were unarmed and mostly peaceful, although a few threw rocks.

When one policeman fired his gun, everyone panicked. Police set their dogs on the children, who reacted by stoning the attacking dogs to death. So, the police began firing directly into the crowd, killing at least two students and injuring hundreds more, stirring the crowd into a frenzy of destruction.

On June 17, 1,500 heavily armed police rolled in and patrolled the streets of Soweto on foot, in armored vehicles and from helicopters. The South African army was put on standby, as a show of military force.

The official death toll is generally believed to be 176, but some estimates put the figure as high as 600. Although it would be another 14 years before Nelson Mandela was released from prison, these protests strengthened black resistance, helping pave the way for change.