A free 4-day virtual event for elementary teachers who
want to set up back-to-school the right way,
so the year doesn't come undone by October.
July 20–23, 2026 | 100% Virtual & Free
Leave with your own First Day plan AND strategies for the systems to back it up.
Over 6,000 teachers joined us last summer!
what if you had
teacher-approved strategies for...
Routines and systems that hold all year (and save you hours of work every week.)
A classroom that feels steady (built on real connection with your students.)
Real takeaways for teaching and life (from math + literacy to instruction and wellness.)
A first day plan ready for anything (instead of ideas you'll come back to "someday.")
Routines and systems that hold all year (and save you hours of work every week.)
A classroom that feels steady (built on real connection with your students.)
Real takeaways for teaching and life (from math + literacy to instruction and wellness.
A first day plan ready for anything (instead of ideas you'll come back to "someday.")
Everything you need to feel confident and prepared
on day one... and beyond.
You already know
that good teaching
takes more
than good intentions
You already know
that good teaching
takes more
than good intentions
You're already doing great things
You're putting careful thought into your instruction.
You're continuing to learn new strategies each year.
You care about your students and
want to do your best for them.
yet, you're still...
Starting each year strong but crumbling, little by little each week
Downloading ideas and resources that you never really use
Seeing the same challenges each year almost like clockwork
Not sure what needs to change for a calmer year but knowing something does
What you're missing isn't another good idea.
It's the systems you set up before the year starts.
You're already doing great things
You're putting careful thought into your instruction.
You're continuing to learn new strategies each year.
You care about your students and want to do your best for them.
yet, you're still...
Starting each year strong but crumbling, little by little each week
Downloading ideas and resources that you never really use
Seeing the same challenges each year almost like clockwork
Not sure what needs to change for a calmer year but knowing something does
What's missing isn't another good idea.
It's the systems you set up before the year starts.
What if this year started
differently?
And you had a plan
you know will work...
and systems that
actually hold up?
What if this year started
differently?
And you had a plan
you know will work...
and systems that
actually hold up?
INTRODUCING
teacher summer talks
This year, Teacher Summer Talks is going to camp. Camp Wannagoodyear, to be exact. Four days of audio sessions and live community with experienced educators who know how hard it is to set up a new school year, all from wherever your summer takes you. Because the best back-to-school is the one you set up on purpose, not the one you scramble through.
INTRODUCING
teacher summer talks
This year, Teacher Summer Talks is going to camp. Camp Wannagoodyear, to be exact. Four days of audio sessions and live community with experienced educators who know how hard it is to set up a new school year, all from wherever your summer takes you. Because the best back-to-school is the one you set up on purpose, not the one you scramble through.
four days at camp
will help you
LEARN
from 30 experienced educators who know what it takes to start a new school year.
CREATE
a first day plan that's ready to guide you minute-by-minute so you're ready for anything.
BUILD
a foundation that supports the rest of the year, not just the first week.
FIND
your people in a camp full of teachers who are in the same boat as you.
Throughout the week, you'll get a mix of both audio and live sessions,
plus a daily challenge call you won't want to miss.
Ready to set up back to school the right way?
four days at camp
will help you
LEARN
from 30 experienced educators who know what it takes to start a new school year.
CREATE
a first day plan that's ready to guide you minute-by-minute so you're ready for anything.
BUILD
a foundation that supports the rest of the year, not just the first week.
FIND
your people in a camp full of teachers who are in the same boat as you.
Throughout the week, you'll get a mix of both audio and live sessions, plus a daily challenge call you won't want to miss.
Ready to set up back to school the right way?
MEET THE SPEAKERS
We've brought together a lineup of experienced educators ready to help you head into the year with more clarity and more support.
All speaker sessions are pre-recorded audio so you can listen to them anywhere!
dAY ONE
SET THE FOUNDATION
The first week of school moves that shape how your classroom feels all year, from the culture you build to the behavior systems you set early.
dAY ONE
SET THE FOUNDATION
The first week of school moves that shape how your classroom feels all year, from the culture you build to the behavior systems you set early.
dAY TWO
BUILD THE SYSTEMS
The routines and structures, like schedules and planning systems, that run your day for you and keep work off your plate.
dAY TWO
BUILD THE SYSTEMS
The routines and structures, like schedules and planning systems, that run your day for you and keep work off your plate.
dAY Three
MAKE IT LAST
The choices that protect your energy and priorities all year, from real boundaries to keeping the subjects you care about from getting crowded out.
dAY Three
MAKE IT LAST
The choices that protect your energy and priorities all year, from real boundaries to keeping the subjects you care about from getting crowded out.
dAY FOUR
bring it home
The LIVE finale, where you turn everything you've built this week into a plan for the whole year.
dAY FOUR
bring it home
The LIVE finale, where you turn everything you've built this week into a plan for the whole year.
A week that ends with a
real win
Leave Teacher Summer Talks with your First-Day Plan ready to go.
While you're learning from 30 experienced teachers, you'll also have the chance to build your own personalized first-day plan through our guided First Day Plan Challenge.
We'll be meeting together live to work through this challenge a little bit each day.
A week that ends with a
real win
Leave Teacher Summer Talks with your First-Day Plan ready to go.
While you're learning from 30 experienced teachers, you'll also have the chance to build your own personalized first-day plan through our guided First Day Plan Challenge.
We'll be meeting together live to work through this challenge a little bit each day.
PLUS THESE
bONUS SESSIONS
A few extra live hangouts and bonus sessions throughout the week,
because camp is better with friends.
What teachers said
After last summer's sessions
Still enjoying my break
★★★★★
I don't feel stressed that I have to spend a million summer hours getting through it. It's easy to listen and still enjoy your break.
- Lynn, 2nd grade, 30th year
Better than a PD day
★★★★★
It's so much better than sitting through a six-hour PD day. I loved that the sessions had a focus for each day, and I've gathered real ideas to start the year off well.
- Heather, interventionist
I'm motivated to plan again
★★★★★
I was feeling burnt out and exhausted after the past few years. The sessions helped me break out of that slump and get motivated to plan again. I'm crafting a plan for my first weeks using the ideas from the week.
- Samantha, 5th grade, 16th year
Coming back again
★★★★★
This is my second year joining, and both years I've taken so much away.
- Andrea, 2nd grade
I feel prepared
★★★★★
I'm switching grades after years in 2nd grade and was a bit overwhelmed at doing all of the things. After the summit, I feel well-prepared for the task.
- Shannon, 1st Grade
What teachers said
After last summer's sessions
Still enjoying my break
★★★★★
I don't feel stressed that I have to spend a million summer hours getting through it. It's easy to listen and still enjoy your break.
- Lynn, 2nd grade, 30th year
Better than a PD day
★★★★★
It's so much better than sitting through a six-hour PD day. I loved that the sessions had a focus for each day, and I've gathered real ideas to start the year off well.
- Heather, interventionist
I'm motivated to plan again
★★★★★
I was feeling burnt out and exhausted after the past few years. The sessions helped me break out of that slump and get motivated to plan again. I'm crafting a plan for my first weeks using the ideas from the week.
- Samantha, 5th grade, 16th year
Coming back again
★★★★★
This is my second year joining, and both years I've taken so much away.
- Andrea, 2nd grade
I feel prepared
★★★★★
I'm switching grades after years in 2nd grade and was a bit overwhelmed at doing all of the things. After the summit, I feel well-prepared for the task.
- Shannon, 1st Grade
MEET YOUR HOSTS
Hi, we're HEIDI & EMILY,
the sisters behind Second Story Window.
As two former elementary teachers, we've spent more summers than we'd like to admit losing the whole break to back-to-school prep, only to start the school year exhausted, with the systems we'd worked so hard on coming apart by October. But we knew it didn't have to be this way.
So for the last 14 years, we've been helping teachers simplify their planning, build systems that hold, and use the start of the year well, because how it begins shapes everything that comes after. On the Teacher Approved Podcast, we've spent every summer since 2022 deep diving into how to do back-to-school right. Helping teachers with this stretch of the year has become our favorite thing to do.
Teacher Summer Talks began two summers ago because we wanted back-to-school PD that didn't ask teachers to choose between rest and getting ready for the next year. And this year, we want this summit to do more than just send you home with a notebook full of ideas.
So, along with the practical audio sessions you love, we're adding live sessions, and a guided First Day Plan Challenge, so you'll leave with part of your back-to-school prep, ready to go.
see you at camp?
MEET YOUR HOSTS
Hi, we're HEIDI & EMILY,
the sisters behind Second Story Window.
As two former elementary teachers, we've spent more summers than we'd like to admit losing the whole break to back-to-school prep, only to start the school year exhausted, with the systems we'd worked so hard on coming apart by October. But we knew it didn't have to be this way.
So for the last 14 years, we've been helping teachers simplify their planning, build systems that hold, and use the start of the year well, because how it begins shapes everything that comes after. On the Teacher Approved Podcast, we've spent every summer since 2022 deep diving into how to do back-to-school right. Helping teachers with this stretch of the year has become our favorite thing to do.
Teacher Summer Talks began two summers ago because we wanted back-to-school PD that didn't ask teachers to choose between rest and getting ready for the next year. And this year, we want this summit to do more than just send you home with a notebook full of ideas.
So, along with the practical audio sessions you love, we're adding live sessions, and a guided First Day Plan Challenge, so you'll leave with part of your back-to-school prep, ready to go.
see you at camp?
WHAT TO EXPECT
at camp
When and Where
Teacher Summer Talks 2026 runs July 20–23, 2026, with fresh sessions (some audio, some live) released each day.
Because most sessions are audio, you just press play and listen while life keeps moving. So you can join from wherever summer finds you, whether that's poolside, folding laundry, or finally sitting down with a cup of coffee that's still hot.
EXPERT SESSIONS
Practical sessions from experienced educators, covering classroom management, instructional strategies, teacher wellness, organization, literacy, math, and more.
Your free ticket includes 48-hour access to each day's sessions after they're released, so you can listen on your own schedule.
The first day plan challenge
Alongside the summit sessions, you'll work through the First Day Plan Challenge and actively build your back-to-school plan as the week goes on.
Each day brings a short guided live session plus one clear action step, so you leave camp with something real in your hands. You'll get templates, planning pages, and support along the way.
THE CAMP Lodge
The minute you register, you're in. You'll get an invite to our private Facebook group that you can consider your Camp Lodge.
This is where teachers swap ideas, ask the questions they're a little afraid are obvious, share their progress, and cheer each other on all week.
The daily homework threads and challenge discussions live here, too.
MERIT BADGES & PRIZES
All week, there are camp-style merit badges to earn by engaging with the summit and other attendees, daily giveaways, and a few surprises in store.
This isn't another thing for your to-do list, just a little extra reason to keep showing up and making progress all week.
See more information below!
Upgrade for more
After registering, you'll have the chance to upgrade to the Max Pass, which includes implementation guides, premium bonuses from our speakers, ongoing access to the presentations after the event, and more!
You'll get all the details (and a special offer) after grabbing your free ticket!
Plus
EARN BADGES
To Win Some Seriously Cool Stuff
All week long, you can earn camp-style virtual merit badges by showing up for camp:
- listening to sessions
- joining the live calls
- working through your daily challenge homework
- connecting with other campers in the cabin.
Every badge you earn enters you into our prize drawings. The more badges, the more entries. The more entries, the better your odds.
The prizes are real good! Thanks to our sponsors and speakers for their prize donations.
Entries to giveaways must be completed by
Friday, July 23, at 12 PM MDT
WHAT TO EXPECT
at camp
When and Where
Teacher Summer Talks 2026 runs July 20–23, 2026, with fresh sessions (some audio, some live) released each day.
Because most sessions are audio, you just press play and listen while life keeps moving. So you can join from wherever summer finds you, whether that's poolside, folding laundry, or finally sitting down with a cup of coffee that's still hot.
EXPERT SESSIONS
Practical sessions from experienced educators, covering classroom management, instructional strategies, teacher wellness, organization, literacy, math, and more.
Your free ticket includes 48-hour access to each day's sessions after they're released, so you can listen on your own schedule.
The first day plan challenge
Alongside the summit sessions, you'll work through the First Day Plan Challenge and actively build your back-to-school plan as the week goes on.
Each day brings a short guided live session plus one clear action step, so you leave camp with something real in your hands. You'll get templates, planning pages, and support along the way.
THE CAMP Lodge
The minute you register, you're in. You'll get an invite to our private Facebook group that you can consider your Camp Lodge.
This is where teachers swap ideas, ask the questions they're a little afraid are obvious, share their progress, and cheer each other on all week.
The daily homework threads and challenge discussions live here, too.
MERIT BADGES & PRIZES
All week, there are camp-style merit badges to earn by engaging with the summit and other attendees, daily giveaways, and a few surprises we'll let you discover when you get here.
This isn't another thing for your to-do list, just a little extra reason to keep showing up and making progress all week.
Upgrade for more
After registering, you'll have the chance to upgrade to the Max Pass, which includes implementation guides, premium bonuses from our speakers, ongoing access to the presentations after the event, and more!
You'll get all the details (and a special offer) after grabbing your free ticket!
If You're done piecing it together
...then you won't want to miss Teacher Summer Talks!
This is your chance to learn from 30 experienced educators ready to give you actionable guidance to start this year more ready than you've ever been.
We're here to help you build a year that feels strong from the start, for your students and for you, by putting one solid system in place at a time until you have a plan that's built to last.
Ready for BACK To SCHOOL
that sets the year up right?
You already know how it goes, trying to juggle a restful summer and back-to-school prep: the scramble in the last week of break, the cracks that form in your systems by October, and feeling like you're fixing problems every day after winter break.
This is your opportunity to spend four days in July
getting the year off to a strong start that lasts
so you have more time for the parts of teaching you love.
Save your spot
and we'll see you at camp.
Ready for a first day
that sets the year up right?
You already know how it goes, trying to juggle a restful summer and back-to-school prep: the scramble in the last week of break, the cracks that form in your systems by October, and feeling like you're fixing problems every day after winter break.
This is your opportunity to spend four days in July getting the year off to a strong start that lasts so you have more time for the parts of teaching you love.
Save your spot
and we'll see you at camp!
QUESTIONS?
GRAB YOUR FREE TICKET
and join us for Teacher Summer Talks 2026!
We saved you a bunk.
©2026 Second Story Window. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy |