Professional Development Courses

Hey, there fellow teachers! Are you looking for new opportunities for professional development? If so, you’ve come to the right place!

We all know that to keep up in the classroom, we need to regularly refresh our skills. Things are changing all the time, and the only way to learn new competencies is by taking off our teacher hats and stepping into the role of student. Whether you’re looking to learn about new technology or hot new philosophies of learning, there are tons of classes out there to keep your teaching fresh.

Learning new things isn’t just important for keeping our students engaged; it’s also important for our own career development. No one wants to keep doing the same thing year after year; if you’re ready to grow your career and take those next steps, you need to jump on the professional development bandwagon!

If you Google “professional development for teachers,” you’ll get over 720,000,000 results. 720,000,000!!! Looking at all these choices, you may be too overwhelmed to take the first step, which is choosing the right courses. Luckily for you, I’m going to do the work for you! I’ve done some research and found 8 fantastic options for professional development. Check out these great courses below, and always keep an eye out for future posts with even more terrific courses!

1. Online TEFL Certification Programs

English language learners are becoming a bigger and bigger presence in our classrooms. According to one study, in 2017 there were over 5 million students in the United States who were learning English as a second language. And that number keeps going up! Learning to support students whose first language isn’t English is a crucial part of every teacher’s professional development, and if your college teaching program was anything like mine, instruction on this topic was seriously lacking.

Coursera is a powerhouse of online education. Their courses are optimized for virtual learning, so you know that you’re getting the best experience. However, if you want to explore even more TEFL courses, check out this great article on the best online TEFL certification programs.

2. TESOL Certification Online Programs

If you’re looking for an even deeper understanding of English language learning, a TESOL certification might be the path for you. This course from Coursera is a great option for learning more about teaching English as a second language. In this course, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the theories and practices of teaching students a second language. This course contains material for teaching students to properly speak and understand English while still maintaining control of your classroom’s regularly scheduled activities.

Check out this article on the best TESOL programs to learn about other great options for TESOL learning.

3. Early Childhood Education Certificate Online Courses & Bachelor Programs

During childhood, a kid’s brain and body is constantly changing! If teaching elementary age students is your specialty, it’s important to understand exactly how a child’s brain functions and develops.

If you’re interested in learning even more about early childhood education, check out this great article on certification courses and Bachelor programs.

4. 7 Best Online Blended Learning Courses for Teachers

Every student is different, and teaching a classroom full of unique students can be a challenge. This is where blended learning comes in.

Blended learning is a fascinating and fruitful topic. To explore even more courses, read this article!

5. 15 Best Online SEL Trainings for Teachers

In recent decades, it has become more apparent that the social and emotional development of students is key to their academic performance and overall wellbeing throughout their lives. However, not many schools give teachers adequate training or support for developing students in these areas.

To explore more great courses on social and emotional learning, check out this helpful article.

6. 14 Best Special Education Online Courses for Teachers

Social, emotional, and mental health are all important when it comes to learning. However, not all classrooms cater to these special needs.

If you’re interested in learning even more about mental and health special education in the classroom, this article provides a useful summary of other great special education courses you can check out.

7. 14 Best Classroom Management Online Courses

Anyone who’s spent time with a young child knows that keeping them in line can be exhausting! Real skills for managing a classroom are rarely taught in teacher preparation programs, so the strategies in this course can be a real lifesaver!

This article details even more courses to help you manage your classroom like a pro!

8. 12 Best 3D Printing Courses for Teachers

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably noticed over the last few years that our students are becoming digital natives; they’re practically born with technology in their hands! This can feel daunting, but one of the best ways to keep them engaged is by meeting them where they are and bringing technology into the classroom. These awesome courses will give you a great start by teaching you all about 3D printing.

If you want to be the teacher with all the coolest tech, check out this fabulous article for even more great courses on incorporating 3D printing into your classroom.

Final Thoughts

As teachers, we often tell our students that we want them to become lifelong learners; why should we be any different? If we want to keep our students learning, we need to keep up with the latest trends in education and technology. Plus, learning new skills can help you make teaching fun again! Explore the courses I talked about above, and check back regularly for even more awesome professional development opportunities!