Let’s face it: being an educator is like being the ringmaster of a circus, except instead of plates, you’re juggling lesson plans, a troupe of students, and the endless mystery of why your permanent markers keep disappearing. And just when you think you’ve got everything under control, your principal announces a new teaching strategy that you’re somehow expected to implement yesterday

Fun, right?

Well, instead of pulling your hair out (or Googling "how to become a yoga instructor"), why not crowd-source some advice from other educators who’ve learned the hard way?

The question is, with a million educational blogs out there, which ones are actually worth your precious time? 

Never fear! We’ve rounded up the 7 best educational blogs every teacher should read. (Or professor, tutor, instructor, or even parent: the advice applies to anyone in education.)

No corporate gruel dished up by faceless salesmen who haven’t taught a day in their life. All of these blogs feature practical, realistic tips from real educators, helping you become the classroom superhero you were always meant to be. 

Here they are! (In no particular order…)

Best educational blog # 1: ‘Cult of Pedagogy’

If you haven’t heard of Cult of Pedagogy, you’re in for a treat. This blog, run by former teacher Jennifer Gonzalez, brings a realistic approach to pedagogical concepts, reflecting her background in training pre-service teachers. Covering everything from lesson planning to classroom management, Cult of Pedagogy is your go-to for no-nonsense advice that actually works.

A breakdown of the three main sections of Cult of Pedagogy, covering technique, theory, and mindset.
A breakdown of the three main sections of Cult of Pedagogy, covering technique, theory, and mindset.

What sets this teachers’ blog apart is its practical focus. Gonzalez dives into topics like:

And all in a tone that feels like a conversation with a wise mentor (who actually gets what it’s like).

Want some real talk on the challenges of teaching? Cult of Pedagogy doesn’t sugarcoat the tough stuff but offers positive, actionable solutions.

Best educational blog # 2: ‘Edutopia’ (for K-12)

Edutopia is the brainchild of the George Lucas Educational Foundation.

Yes, the Star Wars guy.

via GIPHY

While it lacks lightsabers and podracers, Edutopia is still a powerful tool in any teacher’s arsenal. The blog is dedicated to improving K-12 education by sharing evidence- and research-based practices.

One of the best things about Edutopia is its broad range of topics, covering:

Plus, their articles feature plenty of real-life examples, making it easier to see how you can implement these strategies in your own classroom.

Bonus points: Edutopia has a great collection of resources for student engagement and teacher well-being. They’ve even got tips for balancing your work life so you don’t burn out by mid-semester (or week).

Best educational blog # 3: the Brainscape Teachers Academy (science-backed tips)

The Brainscape Teachers Academy shows educators how to optimize their teaching strategies—and their students’ learning—with scientifically-backed learning tactics, from how to double knowledge retention to harnessing the learning power of spaced repetition.

The best part? The Brainscape Teachers Academy doesn’t just dish out advice—it’s backed up with proven, peer-reviewed cognitive science. Whether you're new to teaching or a seasoned veteran, you’ll find a ton of practical tips for using games to develop cognition, understanding learning styles, and making the most of technology in education.

Brainscape also has a ton of free resources like free study planners, guides to building SMART goals, and strategies to boost student motivation. This is not even to mention their flashcard study app that allows students to create flashcards for any subject (for free) or to find flashcards made by other students and educators.

Flashcards are the perfect vehicle for spaced repetition and other learning tactics like active recall and metacognition, making it a powerful study tool for your learners. Learn more here.

For even more great stuff from Brainscape, check out their YouTube playlist for teachers. Here’s the first video from that playlist…

Best educational blog # 4: ‘Free Technology for Teachers’ (no frills)

Once upon a time, the greatest advance in educational technology was removing the substance in whiteboard markers that made you high. Now, it seems like every day brings with it a tsunami of tech tools that promise to transform student engagement, halve your workload, and bring about world peace.

The sheer overload of novel technology causes technostress, which has been shown to reduce a teacher’s work performance.

Enter Free Technology for Teachers. Created by Richard Byrne and updated by TeacherMade’s CEO Laura Bresko, this blog does exactly what it says on the tin: offers free tech tools that teachers can use in their classrooms.

What makes this blog stand out is its simplicity. Each post is a bite-sized nugget of useful information about a tool, app, or website that can make your teaching life easier.

Whether it’s creating quizzes, interactive lessons, or helping students collaborate on projects, Byrne’s recommendations are always free (because who has spare cash for expensive software?) and easy to implement.

If you’re constantly searching for new ways to integrate tech into your classroom, Free Technology for Teachers is a must-read.

Best educational blog # 5: ‘Truth for Teachers’ (avoiding burnout)

As teachers, we know the culture of taking pride in being overworked. Whatever it takes for the students, right? But educator burnout does more than just exhaust us; it also leads to negative outcomes for students, such as poor academic results to a lack of motivation.

For teachers looking to find a little more balance, Truth for Teachers (previously known as The Cornerstone for Teachers) by Angela Watson is a lifesaver. Watson, a veteran educator and instructional coach, focuses on helping teachers improve their work-life balance while maintaining an exceptional standard of instruction.

Her blog offers practical tips on classroom management, organization, and lesson planning—but with a focus on cutting down your working hours. Watson is big on helping teachers avoid burnout, and her blog is full of productivity hacks (5 tips to get out the door at contract time) and self-care strategies (How to keep teaching when your personal life is falling apart).

If you can’t remember the last time you clocked off before sunset, check out her “40-Hour Teacher Workweek” program. It offers practical strategies to help teachers to streamline their workflow, eliminate unnecessary tasks, and enjoy that mythical thing that other jobs call a weekend.

via GIPHY

Best educational blog # 6: ‘MindShift’ (future-focused)

MindShift by KQED is an innovative blog that explores the future of education. Focusing on the intersection of technology and culture, MindShift is perfect for teachers who want to stay ahead of the curve and bring fresh ideas into their classrooms.

What sets MindShift apart is its focus on deeper learning and social-emotional education. The blog tackles everything from growth mindset to personalized learning, providing insights on how to create an environment where students don’t just learn, but thrive. 

From cases where an AI tutor helped students to times when it hindered them, to the role of science classrooms in fighting climate change, its forward-focused approach also presents great insights on incorporating technology and innovation into the classroom.

If you’re passionate about pushing the boundaries of traditional education and exploring new ways to engage students, MindShift is the blog for you.

Best educational blog # 7: ‘TeachThought’ (micro lessons)

Rounding out our list is TeachThought, a blog pushes educators to think outside the box. This blog alternates between practical strategies to try out in the classroom and educational theories and taxonomies.

Heick Learning Taxonomy
A graphic from TeachThought’s guide to the Heick Learning Taxonomy.

Whether you’re interested in project-based learning, inquiry-based teaching, or simply want to bring more creativity into your classroom, TeachThought provides thought-provoking content that’ll get your gears turning. Plus, their focus on lifelong learning makes it a perfect resource for teachers who are also passionate about their own development.

TeachThought is especially valuable for teachers looking to inspire more critical thinking and problem-solving in their students, preparing them for the challenges of the future.

Final thoughts: your new educational resource toolkit

Teaching isn’t just about juggling all the plates.

It’s also about constantly learning new tricks to keep those plates spinning. And what better way to do that than by soaking up the wisdom from these top educational blogs?

From the Brainscape Teachers Academy to TeachThought, these blogs are more than just websites—they’re communities of passionate educators who are all working toward the same goal: helping students succeed. And, together, they’ll help you become the tech guru of your school, tame the wild world of classroom management, and find a way to have a life outside of work (yes, it’s possible).

So bookmark your favorites, grab your reading beverage of choice, and dive into a smorgasbord of fresh ideas and strategies (with a side order of “you’ve got this!”)

Happy reading, and here’s to making your classroom the best it can be!

Sources

  1. Li, L., & Wang, X. (2020). Technostress inhibitors and creators and their impacts on university teachers’ work performance in Higher Education. Cognition, Technology & Work, 23(2), 315–330. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10111-020-00625-0
  2. Madigan, D. J., & Kim, L. E. (2021). Does teacher Burnout affect students? A systematic review of its association with academic achievement and student-reported outcomes. International Journal of Educational Research, 105, 101714. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2020.101714