George Lucas Educational Foundation
Edutopia

Professional Development

Educators must always hone their craft. Discover the many formal, informal, ongoing, and job-embedded professional-development programs keeping teachers at the top of their game.

  • Lessons for Teachers in Books About Young Adults

    Reading fiction gives insight into students’ lives, improves instruction, and provides relevant book recommendations for students.
    Kasey Short

  • The Value of Coaching for Instructional Leaders

    A look at how coaching—a form of PD known to be effective for teachers—benefits principals and other instructional leaders.
    Andrew Miller

  • For Teachers, Risking Failure to Improve Practice

    One teacher insists that failure isn’t an endpoint; it’s an opportunity for learning and improvement.
    Laura Lee, Stephen Merrill

  • Learning Walks: Structured Observation for Teachers

    Brief visits to several classrooms give teachers a chance to reflect on a variety of practices.

  • 11 Habits of an Effective Teacher

    Carrie Lam

  • Using Video for Professional Development

    When teachers film themselves in the classroom, it helps them reflect on and improve their teaching practice.

  • A Mentoring Strategy for Preservice Teachers

    Teacher candidates at the University of Wyoming Lab School co-teach with veterans to learn about planning, instruction, and assessment.

  • Travel Grants and Fellowships for Educators

    Money is available to help fund teachers’ professional trips. Here are some resources to help you find and apply for grants and fellowships.
    Matt Davis

  • 15 Characteristics of a 21st-Century Teacher

    A teacher reflects on our changing society and how change informs what teaching is like today.
    Tsisana Palmer

  • Why Don’t We Differentiate Professional Development?

    PD could be more effective if we differentiated it by gauging teachers' readiness, utilizing their interests, involving them in the process, and providing continual assessment opportunities.
    Pauline Zdonek

  • The Big Picture: Integrating SEL Across a District

    The 168 schools in the Nashville district collaborate to bolster school culture and instruction with social and emotional learning.

  • Teachers Learning From Each Other

    Educators can provide valuable professional development by opening up their classrooms to their peers.

  • No Teacher Is an Island

    Working in small teams, high school teachers offer each other support and feedback for improving in their work.

  • Developing a Growth Mindset in Teachers and Staff

    Keith Heggart

  • 5 Tips for Avoiding Teacher Burnout

    Edutopia blogger Mary Beth Hertz addresses teacher burnout with suggestions for both educators and administrators. Her tips include an ongoing attitude of professional development, including all stakeholders when things change, and maintaining a personal life.
    Mary Beth Hertz