Teachers want to be the best at their jobs and know that education is a lifelong process. But meeting professional development requirements often feels like a chore rather than a meaningful one. School districts offer (and require) a lot of their own PD, but it may not cover topics that are actually interesting or useful. That’s why it’s useful to be able to track teacher professional development so they can make better use of their time.
Use these resources (recommended by fellow teachers!) to find PD on a variety of topics in person or online. Some tips:
Each state and/or school district has different PD requirements and may accept PD activities that are not acceptable elsewhere. Be sure to check what you need. Please note that grants may be available to offset costs if needed. If you need continuing education credits (CECs or CEUs), be sure to find out if your program offers them and if your district or state accepts them. Similarly, if you require a certificate to prove completion, please inquire in advance.
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All courses on this career development site are free but ad-supported. You only need to pay if you need to download your digital or printed certificate of completion ($22 to $31). However, you can also prove your completion using your online learning record. This may serve the same purpose depending on your needs. Access courses on a variety of education-related topics online or via apps.
40 Hours a Week of Teaching is a 52-week program that helps you streamline your teaching one area at a time. Essentially, this is a year-long professional development initiative focused on improving productivity. The goal is to develop a more productive mindset that will help you succeed in whatever you teach. At the end of the course, you will receive a professional development certificate validating up to 104 credit hours. Read our review of this innovative professional development for teachers here.
Annenberg offers a wide range of professional development options for teachers, from podcasts to video workshops. Use video workshops with larger groups using facilitator guides and other materials. You’ll also find a video library and other resources to help you develop your skills. All resources are available for free to K-12 teachers, but universities must purchase a license to use Annenberg materials in their courses.
In addition to live online events, BER offers in-person classes across the country. You can also watch recorded events and take online courses. You can earn PD hours for each, and depending on your state, you may earn CEC/CEU hours. Prices vary depending on the event and course, and discounts are available for 3 or more people who apply at the same time.
This large online learning platform offers a number of courses dedicated to professional development for teachers. Each course is delivered by expert educators from academic or learning institutions around the world. Most courses are free to take, but if you require credit, you will have to pay a fee that varies depending on the course.
Choose from instructor-led and self-paced courses lasting from 6 weeks to 1 year. Topics include child development, classroom technology, math and science, reading and writing. Six-week courses start at $170 and give you 24 course hours, while shorter courses start at $59.
Teachers in our We Are Teachers HELPLINE group love edWeb. They recommended this page above all others as great free teacher PD on a wide variety of subjects. “There are many helpful webinars, and printable certificates are also available after viewing (the list will tell you which webinars have PD certificates available),” says Molly K.
This timely program helps educators effectively address difficult social, political, and cultural topics in the classroom. In addition to in-person seminars, we also offer online courses and webinars, all of which can earn you continuing education credits. Facing History’s PD courses for teachers are free or low-cost and provide ongoing support after the course is completed.
North Carolina State University’s William & Ida Friday Institute for Educational Innovation offers a variety of free online courses and webinars. Their courses are self-directed and self-paced and provide a certificate and potential CEC/CEU offer.
The online PD workshop can be completed at your own pace in 16 weeks from registration to completion. Choose from your favorite instructors and topics that will help you become a better teacher. You may earn PD hours and graduate-level credits as well. Costs vary by workshop, but start at $45.
Want a more in-depth course that delves into educational topics? Consider the Institute for Cultural Heritage Studies. Earn both PD hours and CEU/CEC credits. The course is self-paced and takes six months to complete. Prices vary by class and different courses are discounted each month, so if there’s a subject you’re interested in, check back regularly to see if the price has dropped.
If you’re looking to up your game in terms of diversity, inclusion, equity, and empathy, check out this site. Learning for Justice provides educators with a variety of resources, including thought-provoking learning modules, shareable presentations, and hands-on workshops led by expert trainers. For a minimal fee, you can attend virtual workshops, use self-study modules, or join a 6-month Learning for Justice virtual professional learning cohort.
Modern Classrooms’ free online course, 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 for completing 5-10 hours of PD. Click here for a review of this course.
Nat Geo’s free online course teaches students how to ask deep questions and motivate them to think like National Geographic explorers. We’ll also teach you how to create inspiring lesson plans that connect your students with diverse researchers and transform them into science storytellers who take action to solve global challenges. Teachers can earn graduate credit for many of these courses through National Geographic’s university partnerships. Click here for the course overview.
The National Education Association (NEA) offers many tools for teachers, including a variety of professional development programs. Some support aspiring or new teachers, while others are aimed at education professionals. Microcredential programs offer an easy way to earn CEUs or CECs no matter where you are in your career. Free for NEA members, paid for non-members.
NGPF is dedicated to helping all students learn how to manage their personal finances, an important executive functioning skill that is not often taught in schools. We offer free online courses and videos, as well as the lessons and materials teachers need to get their students started on the path to financial responsibility.
PLB offers a comprehensive, self-paced online PD course that can help you earn the credits you need to renew your teaching license. Their site provides the information you need, state by state, to ensure you get the certificates and transcripts that meet your requirements. Prices vary by course, but there is a free ‘Keeping Kids Safe’ class you can take to see if PLB is right for you.
For a fee (currently $29.99 per month or $199 per year), teachers have access to professional development created by teachers for teachers. You can try one free live class per month, but it’s worth paying the relatively small monthly fee to unlock all content and earn certificates. Attend live trainings and listen to recordings by fellow educators on topics that really interest you.
At Teaching Channel, educators can find online videos and courses that will help them earn hours of needed teacher professional development. You pay for each course. Prices range from $25 for a 3-hour course to $100 or more for longer courses. Teaching Channel also offers graduate-level courses for credit toward higher degrees.
Teachers may earn professional development credits by participating in OK2Ask’s live virtual workshops. (You may also watch pre-recorded workshops, but you will not receive formal credit.) The workshops are free and focus on using educational technology effectively in the classroom. . To register for live workshops and watch recordings, please visit the site.
On Udemy, you pay for each course you want to take, which costs around $10. For a monthly fee (starting at $20), you get unlimited access to all courses. The site also has a comprehensive menu of teacher training, but it may be a good fit for those who want to further hone their subject content.
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