My presentation from the 2017 Ohio Foreign Language Association (OFLA) conference on the topic of "5 Passion Projects to Refresh your Teaching Practice". Includes ideas for how to combat burnout, including volunteering locally, writing about teaching experiences, applying for scholarships and grants for teachers, becoming an expert in a new area (obtaining a new certification or endorsement), and why and how to pursue taking a sabbatical from classroom teaching.

1. 5 Passion Projects
Becky Searls @beckyjoy
🔥
to Refresh your
Teaching Practice
💦

2. @beckyjoy
beckyjoy@gmail.com
Hi, I’m
Becky Searls!
presentation handout

3. @beckyjoy
beckyjoy@gmail.com
Reminder:
-Give me feedback on the Mobi app!
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4. Close your eyes
😌

5. Come on now
😜

6. Why are you here?
⁉

7. What's your story?
Maybe...

8. My Story in 30 seconds
🙋
😟
☺🤔
🤗

9. My story, Part II
😤😨
😥🤔 😑

10. 🔥🔥🔥

11. 5 Passion Projects
to Refresh your Teaching Practice
📝
📚
🎓
⏸

12. 5 Passion Projects
to Refresh your Teaching Practice
Volunteer locally
📝
Write a novel or memoir
📚
Apply for scholarships
& grants specifically for
teachers
🎓
Become an expert
in a new area
⏸ Hit Pause:
Take a Sabbatical

13. By the end of this session
you will...
✓Be inspired to pursue a passion project of your own to combat
burnout.
✓Be able to list and describe at least 3 possible passion projects
to pursue in or out of the classroom (plus at least 1 of your own ideas)
✓Understand and be able to articulate several benefits of an
extended break from classroom teaching.

14. Let's do this!
🏁
5 4 3 2 1

15. #5: Volunteer
locally

19. Mid-Ohio Foodbank: http://midohiofoodbank.org
Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/local/ohio/buckeye/volunteer
Big Brothers Big Sisters: http://www.bbbs.org
Children's Hunger Alliance: https://www.childrenshungeralliance.org
Community Refugee and Immigration Services: http://www.crisohio.org
Think Global, Act Local

20. 1 in 6* Ohioans is "food insecure"
This means that they do not know where their next meal will come from.
The Mid-Ohio Foodbank works to end hunger, the most basic of needs, one
nourishing meal at a time. Here are just a few things you can do to help:
Food Sorting & Greeting at the Kroger Food Pantry
Volunteer at Roots Cafe (FB)
Spread the word about Hunger Action Month (September)
Raise and Donate Money (every $1 donated = $10 of food & groceries)
Become a BackPack Program Site Coordinator at your school
(scroll down on this page to "Backpack Program" for more info)
Look for other opportunities at http://midohiofoodbank.org
*this number is 1 in 4 for children

21. Working with UA teachers
as greeters at the Kroger
Mid-Ohio Foodbank Food Pantry
Spanish skills were a definite bonus
Connecting with colleagues and community members
in meaningful , memorable ways!

22. #4: Write
📝

23. 📝

24. 📝

25. 📝

26. If you want to Write, Read
"Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life" by Anne LaMott
"On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft" by Stephen King
"Escaping into the Open: The Art of Writing True" by Elizabeth Berg
"Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear" by Elizabeth Gilbert
"The Art of Memoir" by Mary Karr
"The Art of Creative Nonfiction" by Lee Gutkind
Want to write?📝

27. Ready to write?
📝
Teachers Write
A virtual summer writing camp
for educators
https://is.gd/teacherswrite
#teacherswrite

28. Ready to write?
📝
NaNoWriMo: http://nanowrimo.org
@NaNoWriMo
Email list with tips for writers: https://writeitsideways.com/start/

29. #3: Apply
📚

30. Grants &
Scholarships
📚

31. Nat Geo📚
https://is.gd/natgeofellow
http://www.nationalgeographic.org/grants

32. National Geographic Grosvenor
Teacher Fellow
(GTF)Program
https://is.gd/natgeofellow
📚
• Nat Geo Education & Linblad Expeditions partnership
• Recognizes excellence in and commitment to geographic
education by giving exemplary educators the opportunity to
travel aboard the Lindblad-National Geographic fleet to on
1.5-3 week excursions such as:
• Svalbard, Iceland, and Greenland’s East Coast
• Iceland and Greenland
• Exploring Greenland and the Canadian High Arctic
• The Canadian Maritimes
• Journey to Antarctica
• England, Ireland, Scotland, & Wales
• Alaska’s Coastal Wilderness
• Norway’s Fjords & Arctic Svalbard
• Land of the Ice Bears: Arctic Svalbard
• Galápagos

33. National Geographic Grosvenor
Teacher Fellow
(GTF)Program
https://is.gd/natgeofellow
📚
• Fellows work to further students' understanding of the planet &
empower them to generate solutions for a healthier, more
sustainable future.
• Fellows commit to 2 years supporting educators with National
Geographic, mentoring the next Cohort and designing the
certification program.
• Starting in 2018*, Fellows must be National Geographic Certified
Educators and members in good standing of their state’s
Alliance for Geographic Education (free to join).
*2018 Applications open November 2017

34. Nat Geohttp://www.nationalgeographic.org/grants
📚
• GTF program is highly competitive, but not to worry!
• Other Grants are available through National Geographic:
"We invest in bold people and transformative ideas in the fields of exploration, scientific
research, conservation, education, and storytelling."
• If you have a great idea but need funds, read over How to Apply
- 3 "Lenses" to consider ("The Human Journey" - which includes human diversity-cultural,
linguistic, etc. , "Wild Life and Wild Places" and "Our Changing Planet")
- 3 "types" of grants (Early Career Grants (up to $5K), Standard Grants (up to $30K), and
Expedited Grants (up to $15K) for sudden opportunities that need a decision to be turned
around very quickly
- Detailed descriptions of the fields of focus listed above.

35. Fulbright📚
"A program of competitive, merit-based grants for international educational exchange for students, scholars,
teachers, professionals, scientists and artists, founded by United States Senator J. William Fulbright in 1946"
https://www.fulbrightteacherexchange.org
https://is.gd/FulBrightHaysOSU

36. Fulbright Distinguished Awards in
Teaching Program
https://www.fulbrightteacherexchange.org📚
• Sponsored by the U.S. Dept. of State
• Seeks to promote mutual understanding among teachers, their
schools and communities in the U.S. and abroad by:
- building teachers and students' global competence
- sharing of best educational practices internationally
• Short term: 2-6 week collaborative projects abroad
- Participants support projects and consult with schools, non-profit organizations, teacher
training institutions, and other educational organizations abroad.
• Long term: 3-6 month university-based projects (example)
- Participants take courses, lead master classes and seminars, visit local schools, collaborate
with each other online and in person, and complete an inquiry project of their own design.

37. Fulbright-Hays
https://is.gd/FulBrightHaysOSU
📚• Grants to support overseas projects in training, research, and
curriculum development in modern foreign languages and
area studies for teachers, students, and faculty engaged in a
common endeavor.
• Projects may include short-term seminars, curriculum
development, group research or study, or advanced intensive
language programs.
• Wide variety of grants available for: students, scholars, teachers,
and professionals

38. Fulbright-Hays Group Project Abroad
“Teaching the Andes”, organized by the
Center for Latin American Studies at
The Ohio State University.
https://is.gd/FulBrightHaysOSU
📚• Online Application (link above) took me approximately 1 hour to complete +
needed 1 letter of recommendation
• Month-long PD abroad to Ecuador and Peru, with fully paid international airfare,
ground transportation, lodging, meals, and some cultural activities.
• Awarded to Twelve K-12 Educators in various disciplines, includes:
• Pre-departure orientation in Columbus, Ohio
• Lectures and workshops on Andean history, culture, society, religion, economics
• Educational Site visits including colonial Quito, Cotacachi Cayapas Natural
Reserve, Hot Springs in Intag, Sacred Valley of Peru, Machu Picchu and Take
Titicaca
• Participation in local customs and cultural activities, inclucing annual festivals,
ritual baths at Cascada Peguche, taking of the square, and many more
• Language training in Quechua
• Participation in Curriculum Development projects

39. • ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages)
Scholarship applications due March 31! is.gd/ACTFL_scholarships_grants
• CSCTFL (Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign
Languages-regional organization serving the seventeen states of:
Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan,
Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and
Wisconsin.) scholarships: is.gd/csctfl_scholarships
• OFLA scholarship(s): is.gd/OFLAscholarships

40. 🎓
#2: Expert

41. Become an expert
in a new area
🎓

42. 💻
Expert
• Google
• Apple
• TESOL
• Literacy
• Nat Geo
🎓

43. Google
Google Certified Educator
https://is.gd/google_certified_educator
🎓

44. https://is.gd/google_certified_educator
https://is.gd/google_certified_educator
🎓

45. https://is.gd/google_certified_educator
🎓 Google Certified Educator
How it works: 3 Sections
Section 1:

46. https://is.gd/google_certified_educator
🎓 Google Certified Educator
Section 2:

47. 🎓 Google Certified Educator
Section 3:
https://is.gd/google_certified_educator

48. Not sure whether to do Level 1 or Level 2? Check out the FAQ!
https://is.gd/Google_Certification_FAQ
Possibly streamline the process - follow French teacher and
Google Certified Innovator and trainer Sylvia Duckworth's
tips: https://is.gd/Google_Certification_Shortcut
🎓

49. Google Certified Innovator
https://is.gd/google_certified_innovator
🎓

50. • Selective and highly
competitive/involved
application process
• Seeking passion for
teaching & learning
• Innovative use of
technology
• Potential impact of
your Innovator Project
• Ambassadors for
change / Leadership
• In-person summits &
online components
https://is.gd/google_certified_innovator
See examples of 2016 Google Innovators
and Innovator Projects
🎓

51. How to Become a
Google Certified Innovator
https://is.gd/google_certified_innovator
🎓

52. Apple
Apple Teacher or Apple Distinguished Educator
https://is.gd/become_apple_teacher
The Apple Distinguished Educator (ADE) program is a
relationship program focused on educational excellence and
leadership. ADEs are part of a global community of education
leaders recognized for doing amazing things with Apple
technology in and out of the classroom. They explore new
ideas, seek new paths, and embrace new opportunities. That
includes working with each other and with Apple to bring the
freshest, most innovative ideas to learners everywhere. Being
part of the ADE community is much more than an honor its
an opportunity to make a difference.
https://is.gd/apple_distinguished_educator
https://is.gd/apple_teacher
Apple Teacher is a free professional learning
program designed to support and celebrate
educators using Apple products for teaching and
learning. As an Educator you can build skills on
iPad and Mac that directly apply to activities
with your students, earn recognition for the new
things you learn, and be rewarded for the great
work you do every day.
🎓

53. https://is.gd/apple_or_google
Name changed in 2015 to
"Google Certified Innovator"
More here on why
vs¿ ?🎓

54. TESOL
Teaching English to
Speakers of other Languages
https://is.gd/OSU_TESOL_Endorsement
🎓

55. WhyTESOL?
🎓

56. Why TESOL?
This was over 10 years ago!
🎓

57. Why TESOL?
TESOL?TEFL?CELTA?
🎓

58. TESOL
https://is.gd/OSU_TESOL_Endorsement
Example Courses:
• (Intro to) Second Language Acquisition (SLA)
• TESOL Methods & Culture
• Culturally Relevant Pedagogy
• Language Arts & ESL Instruction
• Pedagogical Grammar
• Teaching Second Language Grammar & Vocabulary
• Testing & Assessment
• Field Experience
🎓

59. Reading Endorsement/OG
🎓
https://is.gd/OSU_ReadingEndorsement
https://is.gd/OrtonGillingham

60. Literacy
https://is.gd/OSU_ReadingEndorsement
https://is.gd/OrtonGillingham
• In Person: OSU - K-12 Reading Endorsement Program Sheet
-Leverage your skills as a language teacher in a new way to help students develop L1 literacy
• Online: Orton Gillingham Certification
- Work with students who struggle with reading, spelling or writing due to dyslexia, usually in
one on one or in small group settings.
• Seek funding from your school district
- Fee waivers for your local college or university in exchange for taking student teachers?
- Check with administration for funding of online certifications.
🎓

61. https://is.gd/NatGeo_Certification
National Geographic
Certified Educator Program
🎓

62. National Geographic
Certified Educator Program
https://is.gd/NatGeo_Certification
• Free, high quality PD - plan ahead /IPDP!
• Teach students about world in innovative, interdisciplinary ways
• Connections and community with like-minded educators
• Relationships, resources, and perks with Nat Geo
- note: if interested in the Nat Geo Grosvenor Teacher Fellow Program, fellowship, this certification
will be required starting with the 2018 cohort.
🎓

63. #1: Sabbatical
⏸

64. Sabbatical⏸ https://is.gd/Sabbatical_Why
☘

65. Sabbatical⏸ https://is.gd/Sabbatical_Why
🎢 🛀🔜

66. Sabbatical⏸ https://is.gd/Sabbatical_Why
Prevent (or delay)
leaving
the profession.
You are valuable

67. Sabbatical⏸ https://is.gd/Sabbatical_Why

68. Sabbatical⏸ https://is.gd/Sabbatical_Why
⏰

69. Sabbatical⏸

70. Growth Mindset⏸

71. Talk with Partner⏸

72. Plant Seeds⏸
🌱 🔜 🌳

73. ⏸
😟
Possible Reactions

74. Joint Gap Year?⏸
🗓

75. Articulate your
reasons
⏸
🤔

76. ⏸
https://is.gd/MapMates_Info https://is.gd/MapMates_Survey

77. ⏸ Talk with Admin

78. ⏸ Ask for help!
• Colleagues who have
taken a sabbatical before
• Administration
• Your Partner
• Forums online
• See list of suggested
questions on presentation
handout
🤝

79. 5 Passion Projects
to Refresh your Teaching Practice
📝
📚
🎓
⏸

80. @beckyjoy
beckyjoy@gmail.com
Thank you!
-Give me feedback on the Mobi app!
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