July 19, 2026 |
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Recharge Room
Teachers give so much to others, and no matter which season you're in right now (back to school or still enjoying summer break), you deserve a moment to pause, recharge, and reconnect with why you love this work. We’re sharing a curated mix of resources for wherever you are: podcasts for your commute or your lounge chair, playlists for your planning period or your porch, articles worth a coffee break, and a few brain break games and logic puzzles to share with your students (or keep for yourself). Because taking care of you isn't a luxury—it's what makes everything else possible.
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Share your thoughts with our communityWeekly PollThis week, our poll asks, "What's your go-to self-care move after a long day?" Once you click submit, you can view the responses of other educators. |
Grades K-12
50 Self-Care Ideas for Teachers
Discover an article and a printable list of simple, practical self-care ideas that teachers and school staff can use every day. It's perfect for posting in the staff lounge, sharing with colleagues, or turning into a fun school-wide wellness challenge.
Grades K-12
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Use this quick logic puzzle (a color pattern game) as a screen-based mental reset you can turn to between classes or during a planning period—a few minutes of focused, low-pressure problem-solving to quiet a busy mind and recharge.
Grades K-12
The Resilient Teacher Podcast
Listen to this podcast designed to give overwhelmed educators support, tools, and mindsets to reduce burnout. Each week, Brittany and her guests share inspiration and actionable steps to help teachers individualize self-care and prioritize well-being.
Grades K-12
A Teacher's Pump-Up Playlist to Get You Through Your Day
Some days are just tough, and you need a pick-me-up to get through. This high-energy playlist includes motivational songs that are sure to keep you going. Each song on the list includes a video link, so turn up the volume and enjoy!
Grades K-12
Blob Opera
This playful AI tool lets you drag colorful blobs to create real-time opera harmonies—no singing skills required. It's a fun, no-pressure brain break teachers can use between tasks to laugh, play, and reset for a few creative minutes.
Grades K-12
Self-Care Tips For Teachers That You've Never Heard Before
This video highlights essential self-care tips that can help teachers prevent burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance. It encourages setting a designated "late day" for planning, establishing "no working days" to protect personal time, and more.
Grades K-12
Logic Games
This collection of quick, free logic and puzzle games—like mahjong, word puzzles, and brain teasers—offers teachers an easy way to step away, reset their minds, and enjoy a few minutes of low-pressure play between lessons or during a break.
Grades K-12
Teacher Self-Care Bingo
This printable bingo board turns self-care into a game, with squares like treating yourself, drinking water, and connecting with a colleague. Teachers can play solo or with friends, checking off small, feel-good habits for a fun, low-pressure boost.
Grades K-12
What is Teacher Self-Care, and How Do You Practice It?
This article explains what self-care is and why it matters for educators. It offers practical daily habits like gratitude journaling, walks in nature, and connecting with loved ones, as well as classroom activities to teach students about self-care.
Grades K-12
Drench
This simple color-flooding puzzle challenges you to drench the entire board in a single color within a limited number of moves. It's a quick, mindless-yet-satisfying brain break educators can use to unplug for a minute and reset their focus.
This Week at TeachersFirst
We’re excited to invite you to attend a variety of virtual workshops this week! Join us for one session or all six. We’re also sharing a related blog post and a curated collection of even more self-care resources for educators, just in time for International Self-Care Day on Friday, July 24.
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Tuesday, 7/21, 6 PM ETOK2Ask: Smarter Study Tools: Transforming Content with NotebookLMNotebookLM lets educators upload their own materials to create study guides, audio overviews, timelines, and Q&A tools. In this session, participants get hands-on guided practice and will leave with at least one ready-to-use resource. |
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Wednesday, 7/22, 6 PM ETOK2Ask: Establishing Predictable Routines for Student SuccessThis session explores two research-informed frameworks for building high-impact instructional routines: EduProtocols, which give teachers repeatable lesson structures that students internalize over time; and Project Zero thinking routines. |
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Thursday, 7/23, 11 AM ETOK2Ask: Canva Basics: Creating Classroom-Ready Learning MaterialsIn this hands-on, beginner-friendly session, participants will explore Canva for Education—a free, browser-based design tool and time-saving solution for creating polished, classroom-ready learning materials—and create their own authentic project. |
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Thursday, 7/23, 1:30 PM ETOK2Ask: Designing Meaningful Gamified Learning ExperiencesGain clarity on what gamification actually is (and isn't), explore the research-backed mechanics behind effective gamified design, and leave with practical, equity-conscious strategies you can apply immediately—with or without technology. |
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Thursday, 7/23, 3 PM ETOK2Ask: Designing Structured Discussions with KialoEduThis session explores how to design structured, argument-based discussions using KialoEdu—a free, no-student-account-required platform that organizes dialogue into a visual argument tree. Learn how Kialo's thesis/pro/con format supports deeper reasoning. |
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Thursday, 7/23, 4:30 PM ETOK2Ask: Video Basics: Designing Instructional Videos for LearningDiscover what makes a video a true learning object! In this session, participants will explore the research-grounded principles behind effective instructional video design and learn to apply them using free tools already available to most educators. |
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Infusing Technology BlogIf You Haven’t Looked at TeachersFirst Lately, Start Here!One excellent way to savor some self-care is to learn how to find free materials that save you time and sanity when the new year begins. Take a moment to read this new blog post highlighting the many free resources available on TeachersFirst. |
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Special Topics CollectionSelf-Care for EducatorsIn the demanding world of education, where giving is constant and burnout is common, these carefully curated tools and resources are designed to help educators replenish their own wells of resilience and compassion. |
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