Teachers want to be the best they can be at their jobs, and they know that education is a lifelong process. But meeting professional development requirements can often feel like a hassle instead of something that’s meaningful. Districts offer (and require) plenty of their own PD, but they may not cover topics that really interest or benefit you. That’s why it’s helpful to be able to track down professional development for teachers that’s truly a good use of your time.
Use these resources (recommended by fellow teachers!) to find PD on a variety of topics, both in person and online. A few tips:
- Each state and/or school district has different PD requirements, and one may accept a PD activity that others don’t. Be sure to verify what you’ll need.
- Remember that grants may be available to help offset costs if necessary.
- If you need continuing education credits (CECs or CEUs), be sure to find out if the program offers them and if your district or state accepts them. Similarly, if you need a certificate to document your completion, ask about it in advance.
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All of the courses on this career development site are free, though they’re ad-supported. You only have to pay if you need to download a digital or printed certificate of completion ($22 to $31). But you can also prove your completion with an online learning record, which might serve the same purpose depending on your need. Access their courses—on a variety of teaching-related topics—online or via the app.
The 40 Hour Teacher Workweek is a 52-week program that helps you streamline your teaching, one area at a time. Essentially, it’s a yearlong professional development endeavor focused on increasing productivity. The goal is cultivating a more productive mindset to help you succeed, no matter what you teach. At the end of the course, you will receive a professional development certificate to document up to 104 credit hours. See our review of this innovative professional development for teachers here.
From podcasts to video workshops, Annenberg offers a huge selection of professional development for teachers. Use video workshops, with bigger groups using the facilitator guides and other materials. You’ll also find video libraries and more helpful resources for teacher development. All resources are free for K-12 teachers, though colleges and universities must purchase a license to use Annenberg materials in their courses.
BER has live online events, plus in-person classes around the country. You can also watch recorded events or take online courses. You’ll get PD hours for each and may be able to earn CEC/CEU hours depending on your state. Prices vary by event or course, with discounts for signing up three or more people at the same time.
This massive online learning platform offers lots of courses specifically for teacher professional development. Each course is offered by expert educators from academic or learning institutions around the world. You can take most courses for free, but if you want a certificate for credit, you’ll have to pay a fee, which varies by course.
Choose between instructor-led and self-paced courses that last six weeks to an entire year. Topics include child development, classroom technology, math and science, and reading and writing. Six-week courses start at $170 and earn you 24 course hours, while shorter courses start as low as $59.
Teachers in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE group love edWeb! They recommended it more than any other page for terrific free teacher PD on a huge variety of subjects. “Lots of helpful webinars to watch with printable certificates available after viewing (the lists will tell you which ones have PD certificates available),” says Molly K.
This timely program offers educators help in dealing effectively with difficult topics in the classroom, including social, political, and cultural topics. They offer in-person seminars as well as online courses and webinars, all with the ability to earn continuing education credits. Facing History’s PD courses for teachers are free or low-cost and provide ongoing support after you complete their courses.
The William and Ida Friday Institute for Educational Innovation at North Carolina State University offers a variety of free online courses and webinars. Their courses are self-directed and self-paced and provide certificates and potential CEC/CEU offers.
Complete online PD workshops at your own pace, with 16 weeks from the time of enrollment to finish. Choose from instructors you like and topics that will truly help you become a better teacher. You’ll earn PD hours and may have the ability to gain graduate-level credits too. Costs vary by workshop, starting as low as $45.
Looking to take more detailed courses that really dive into educational topics? Consider the Heritage Institute. You’ll earn both PD hours and CEU/CEC credits. Courses are self-paced, and you have six months to complete them. Prices vary by class, with different courses discounted each month, so check back regularly if there’s a subject that interests you to see if the price has dropped.
If you’re looking to up your game in diversity, inclusion, equity, and empathy, check out this site. Learning for Justice provides a range of materials for educators: learning modules that make you think, presentations you can share, and hands-on workshops with expert trainers. Participate in virtual workshops for a minimal fee, use self-guided learning modules, or join a six-month Learning for Justice Virtual Professional Learning Cohort.
The free online course at Modern Classrooms (developed by two public school teachers) helps teachers interested in implementing mastery-based learning in their classrooms. The course itself is self-paced, and you can earn a certificate indicating you’ve completed 5 to 10 hours of PD. See our review of this course here.
Nat Geo’s free online courses teach you how to motivate your students to ask deep questions and think like National Geographic Explorers. They also teach you how to design inspiring lesson plans that turn your students into scientific storytellers who connect with diverse researchers and take action to solve global challenges. Teachers can earn graduate credits for many of these courses through one of National Geographic’s university partnerships. See our overview of the courses here.
The NEA (National Education Association) provides many tools for teachers, including a wide variety of professional development programs. Some provide support for aspiring or new teachers, while others are geared toward education paraprofessionals. The micro-credentials programs offer easy ways to earn CEUs or CECs, wherever you are in your career. These are free for NEA members, with a fee for non-members.
NGPF is dedicated to helping all students learn how to manage their personal finances, a key executive-functioning skill that’s often not taught in schools. They offer free online courses and videos, along with the lessons and materials teachers need to get their students started on the path to financial responsibility.
PLB offers robust self-paced online PD courses and can even help you get the credits you need to renew your teaching license. Their site provides the information you need, state by state, and ensures you get the certificates or transcripts to meet your requirements. Prices vary based on courses, with a free class on Keeping Kids Safe that you can take to see if PLB is right for you.
For a fee (currently $29.99/month or $199/year), teachers have access to professional development created by teachers for teachers. You can try one free live class per month, but to unlock all content and earn certificates, the relatively small monthly fee is worth it. Attend live trainings or listen to recordings on topics that truly interest you, presented by fellow educators.
At Teaching Channel, educators can find online videos and courses that may earn hours toward required teacher professional development. You pay a fee per course, ranging from $25 for a 3-hour course to $100+ for longer courses. Teaching Channel also offers graduate-level courses for credit for those pursuing higher degrees.
By attending OK2Ask live virtual workshops, teachers may be able to earn professional development credits. (You can also watch prerecorded workshops but won’t receive official credit.) The workshops are free and focused on using educational technology effectively in your classroom. Visit their site to register for live workshops and view recordings.
At Udemy, you pay per course you want to take, with prices as low as $10 or so. You can also pay a monthly fee (starting at $20) for unlimited access to all of their courses. This site may be best for those looking to brush up on their subject matter content, though they do have a decent selection of Teacher Training offerings.
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