Best Sites for Educator Professional Development
The learning never stops for teachers. Even if continuing education were not required by law, educators would still strive toward deepening their subject knowledge, keeping up with the latest research, sharpening their classroom skills, and learning to use education technology tools.
The following professional development sites for education will help teachers refresh and update their practice, connect with fellow educators and, in some cases, earn continuing education credits. All provide substantial free or modestly priced PD content.
Top Sites for Educator Professional Development
Modern Classrooms Project Professional Development
The Modern Classrooms Project’s mission is to help educators implement a self-paced, mastery-based instructional model, supported by technology. To access the free 52-lesson Modern Classrooms Essentials course, simply create an account and start learning. The course covers the principles of the instructional model and how to implement it, lessons, blended instruction, and interviews with teachers and students who have adopted the techniques.
EdWeb Educator PD Webinars
Looking for a faster way to do professional development? Explore these free one-hour webinars covering topics from AI and misinformation to high-impact tutoring and literacy scaffolding, arranged in order of date/time. Free account required. Continuing education credits available.
OK2ASK Free Education Technology Virtual Workshops
A modest but practical selection of free professional learning opportunities, with live upcoming sessions focused on feedback for students, questioning strategies, building content, and coding. Convenient on-demand content is also available. Certificates provided for participation in live sessions. Bonus: Save time and hassle by registering for all or multiple sessions at one time.
Next Gen Personal Finance Virtual PD
Founded by educators and entrepreneurs, the nonprofit Next Gen Personal Finance aims to ensure that all students and teachers have access to high-quality, free financial literacy resources. Browse the selection of free online PD related to finances and math, or check out the free on-demand PD. Self-paced modules are built on the Nearpod platform, but no subscription is required. Teachers can also earn NGPF certification via free certification courses in banking, budget, credit, behavioral economics, and more. Visit NGPF Academy to view all PD options.
National Geographic Online Courses for Educators
What is the National Geographic Explorer mindset and how can you teach it to your students? These and other key pedagogical concepts are examined via the lens of science, photography, exploration, and experimentation. Create a free account, enroll in PD courses, and start learning how to take your teaching to the next level.
KQED Teach
Free self-paced online PD focusing on media literacy and creation. Earn eight micro-credentials to become a certified PBS Media Literacy Educator. Bonus: Two free online storytelling workshops, October 25 and 26, 2023.
Teaching Channel
An online video-based community for teachers, Teaching Channel is a great resource for lesson ideas, video coaching, and earning credits toward PD requirements. The robust social network connects educators with shared interests to one another. Free and premium content.
Annenberg Learner
A rich trove of professional development and classroom resources, searchable by grade and subject. These terrific in-depth videos examine a diversity of topics, from teaching algebra to applying neuroscience research findings in your classroom. Free.
OER Commons Professional Learning & Teacher Training
Explore tens of thousands of free preK-20 open education resources, curated by the nonprofit OER Commons. Connect with fellow teachers in topic-specific forums and search free OER PD/Training resources by standards, education level, subject, and type of material.
ReadWriteThink Strategy Guides
Whether you're interested in learning a new teaching strategy or polishing your existing approach, these guides will be valuable assets in your efforts. Each strategy guide includes information about the research basis, classroom implementation, and lesson plans. Topics include writing, teaching with technology, inquiry-based learning, and more.
Stanford Graduate School of Education Youcubed
Research-based ideas, strategies, and tools to elevate your math instruction to the nth degree. Youcubed provides a multitude of math resources to learn from and use, including lessons, activities, videos, and PD classes. Most important is the focus on growth mindset in the math classroom and task-based teaching to engage and inspire students. Extensive free online resources and paid workshops.
PBS Learning Media
An abundance of free resources for professional development, including standard-aligned videos, lesson plans, interactives, and more. Six elements of PD are explored in detail, from planning and preparation to assessment to learning environment and more. Searchable by grade, type of resource, popularity, and date created.
Tech & Learning’s Professional Development Hub
Check out Tech & Learning’s PD Hub, in which we showcase articles about how to incorporate the latest edtech tools into your classroom instruction and more.
