Decades of research have shown that high-quality teachers correlate strongly with student achievement. Professional development is one way that educators have the opportunity to enhance their practice with new teaching strategies, methods, and industry insights that they can apply in their practice to help their students achieve new academic milestones.
Choosing the right professional development workshops for your school community is essential to raising teacher quality and retention. Professional development in 2024 is essential in the ever-evolving field of education, especially with the rapid advancements that we have observed in STEM and in particular, Artificial Intelligence over the last two years.
I have researched a variety of the most effective teacher training workshops to compile a list of the best professional development workshops for teachers in the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. Before we dive into the particular courses that we recommend here at Teacher to Techie, let’s first discuss the importance of professional development for teachers.
The Importance of Professional Development for Teachers
Why Ongoing Learning is Essential
Teachers are known for being lifelong learners. It is in our nature to continuously seek ways to improve inside and outside of the classroom. This is such a strong trait to have, and one way this can be fed in the school setting is through effective professional development workshops.
IMSE Journal has reported just how incredible the benefits of professional development for teachers are. Their research has proven that students can achieve up to a 21% increase in performance when their teachers participate in effective training programs. Not only do students have better learning outcomes, but teachers have the opportunity to learn better ways to teach as well as develop better organization and planning skills.
We know that ongoing learning is essential to become a more effective educator. However, this leads me to the question, how does one decide on the right professional development workshop for educators? Some key factors to consider in choosing an effective professional development course for teachers are emerging trends, workshops that provide solutions that teachers faced the year prior, and what teachers feel is beneficial to their practice.
Trends in Teacher Professional Development for 2024-2025
What’s New in 2024-2025?
Let’s look at some of the professional development trends that are leading the education industry today.
AI Professional Development
In the last two years, there have been incredible advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI has the potential to transform teaching and learning in the 21st century as we know it.
One of the main things about AI that I would like to highlight is that it allows information to become more accessible and available to wider groups of people. Through the use of tools like Chat-GPT and Claude, you no longer need a college degree to understand human psychology, or a budget to hire a financial advisor. It truly is a big step for humanity and not something that we should be fearful of! This does, however, call for us to learn and keep up with such systems as they are only going to advance as time progresses. But what exactly does this have to do with education?
Children and adolescents are now learning how to use these tools, and teachers more importantly should not fall behind the learning curve. In fact, AI Professional Development courses are now becoming more accessible and offer educators and staff the knowledge to understand, evaluate, and implement AI tools and techniques to simplify their day-to-day, freeing up more time to enhance their direct impact on students and the school community.
The most common implications that I hear about AI in education are two concerns. The first is cheating, that the use of such tools is not smart to implement in the classroom, or that districts should ban it altogether. The second is a conversation surrounding the ethical use of such technology. Children have access to smartphones and social media now at younger ages than ever, and teaching about misinformation, responsible use of technology, and how to evaluate the information they are being fed with critical thinking skills is important now more than ever.
It is essential that teachers begin familiarizing themselves with this technology so that they can educate the next generation to become critical thinkers. Just because education is so widely accessible with generative AI-powered tools, this doesn’t mean that we are going to become a smarter population. We must be able to ask the right questions to find the right answers. We will dive more into this concept a little bit later in the article. Let’s now take a look at another trend in professional education for 2024.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are values that are at the foundation of every teacher’s practice. Teachers are continually striving to find a way to tie in a student’s culture, accommodating student’s learning style, and providing resources to those who may not have access are a few ways off the top of my head that I observed DEI in practice within education.
DEI teacher workshop trends show that there is a focus on fostering cultural awareness, improving critical thinking, reducing gaps in achievement, empowering and representing students, and promoting social-emotional well-being. America is now more diverse than ever, and it is so important to create a classroom culture that accepts and values diversity.
When students feel represented and accepted in their learning environment, they will feel empowered to learn and foster a sense of belonging. According to the National Association of Independent Schools, belonging is tied to academic engagement and achievement for all students (Amad, Jerome et al.) When students know that they belong and feel valued in their school community, they allow themselves to try and learn from their mistakes, encouraging growth and development.
Health and Well-being
Teachers have endured great challenges for many years, however, the past couple of years have been especially challenging. From COVID-19 school closures and shifting practices to virtual learning to returning to the classroom and providing the stability and routine that children desperately need, teachers have always been quick to adapt while always keeping the best interest of their students in mind. But who is thinking about the teachers?
According to the Kami Teacher Wellbeing Report, over 85% of teachers feel there’s not sufficient support to avoid stress or burnout. Not only do teachers feel there is not enough support, but 80% have also considered leaving the profession entirely. Now, these statistics are intense, but they represent a deeper issue at hand. However, it also points to the fact that once this deeper issue is addressed, teacher well-being and satisfaction will significantly increase.
Professional development seminars for health and well-being are proven to reduce teacher retention. Some trending topics for these professional development workshops include work-life balance seminars, mental health awareness workshops, physical wellness initiatives, stress management techniques, and trauma-informed practices. These workshops provide emotional support techniques and help to manage a work-life balance to mitigate the emotional, physical, and mental demands that come with being a teacher.
Soft skills
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an incredibly large impact on the education system. Not only are students behind in math and reading scores, but they are also stunted socially when learning virtually in the comfort of their own homes. Young children’s soft skills were not adequately developed by the time they returned to school, and as a result, communication, leadership, teamwork, self-awareness, empathy, emotional intelligence, problem-solving, adaptability, and time management has been a struggle for teachers to manage throughout the day. In fact, over 50% of teachers feel they don’t have time to support their students’ mental health.
In many households, both parents working full-time left very little one-on-one time with their children to fully guide them with virtual instruction. Not only is the working class a major contributing variable to the lack of student academic achievement during the pandemic lockdowns, but also the fact that parents simply do not have the training that teachers have but were expected to be responsible for the majority of their kids learning overnight.
All facts considered, children lost on average 2 years of in-person education which means that they didn’t have the opportunities to develop and practice the soft skills that we are seeing being major issues in the classroom environment. One thing I would like to point out is that students have always had issues and behaviors present themselves. The pandemic is not the sole cause of the many issues we have been observing, however, it is one of the main catalysts of negative change that we see today.
Emerging professional development workshop trends geared towards developing soft skills include emotional intelligence training, effective communication, active listening, collaboration and teamwork skills, creativity, and adaptability workshops. These types of teacher workshops contribute directly to a healthy learning environment and lead to supportive and inclusive actions.
Now that we have discussed some of the recent trends in the education industry, let’s take a look at some of the most effective teacher training workshops for teachers in the upcoming 2024-2025 school year.
Top Professional Development Workshops for Teachers in 2024-2025
Must-Attend Workshops
#1. AI Literacy Workshops – Teacher to Techie
Overview
Districts across the U.S. are recognizing the need for AI professional development but face challenges in deciding what content to cover due to the fast-paced evolution of AI technologies. However, the rapid advancement of generative AI technologies, like ChatGPT and Claude, has made it crucial for educators to understand how AI works along with its benefits and limitations. This allows teachers to be equipped to use AI tools effectively in the classroom and to teach students about the ethical and responsible use of AI.
Teacher to Techie provides professional development opportunities for educators at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Their expert-led AI Literacy workshops include AI Policy, Introduction to Generative AI, Exploring Ethics of AI in Education, and Prompt Engineering for Teachers.
Pros
Teacher to Techie recognizes that teachers rarely have the time in their busy schedules to familiarize themselves with new technology, let alone the hundreds of AI-powered tools released daily. Teacher to Techie was founded to bridge the gap between traditional teaching methods and modern technological advancements. With a concentration on AI Literacy, Lauren Farrow empowers educators to harness the latest in AI technology to enrich their teaching methods and engage students in innovative ways.
With training provided by Teacher to Techie, educators will learn how to effectively interact with AI-powered tools and implement learned strategies as early as the next day. Experts at Teacher to Techie explore practical applications across subjects, grade levels, and settings. Their mission is to empower teachers with AI-powered tools and skills they need to maximize their impact and simplify day-to-day tasks.
Cons
Many educators have heard about Chat-GPT and Claude, but are not sure how exactly to use these AI-powered tools to reach their maximum benefit. Not only are these tools difficult for some to understand, but these AI systems are rapidly evolving and changing the ways that industries develop and operate. It is integral to understand the ethical implications of AI and how it can impact the education system regarding academic integrity, data security, and student behavior. Teacher to Techie stays up to date with the latest technology and is constantly updating their services and workshops. If you would like guidance on how to navigate this issue, schedule a consultation today!
Who It’s For
Our AI Literacy workshops are designed to offer educators and staff the knowledge to understand, evaluate, and implement AI tools and techniques to simplify their day-to-day and save them time on administrative tasks. As a result, teachers report having more time to enhance their direct impact on students and the school community. Teacher to Techie researches, plans, and executes workshops based on specific needs and concerns, all while remaining aligned with school and district policies.
#2. Classroom Management – National Education Association (NEA)
Overview
Whether you are a first-year teacher or a 20-year veteran, there is a high chance that classroom management is a skill you are continuously developing as class dynamics change from year to year. Managing the behavior, social emotional, and learning needs of 30 or more students is one of the biggest challenges most educators face. The National Education Association provides various classroom management professional development courses via blended learning as well as micro-credentials.
Pros
The NEA offers a variety of courses surrounding classroom management techniques. The following 6 micro-credentials are designed to aid with classroom management and challenging behaviors:
- Addressing Challenging Behaviors
- Aspects of an Engaged Classroom
- Classroom Expectations and Routines
- Creating A Classroom Community
- Organizing the Physical Layout of the Classroom
- Trauma-Informed Pedagogy.
Cons
When it comes to classroom management, there is no one-size-fits-all technique that will transform a classroom dynamic overnight. Teachers have to hone these skills and consistently practice and implement them over a long period of time. The good thing is that the NEA has research-backed courses that can offer support to teachers struggling with classroom management.
Who It’s For
Classroom management training offered by the NEA is a great resource for teachers who are struggling with keeping their students engaged and on task throughout the day. The micro-learning courses are also great for teachers who are tight with time constraints and are looking for a quick and reputable resource to aid them with classroom management.
3. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) – Move This World
Overview
Move This World was founded to bring educators and school leaders wellness experiences to promote social-emotional well-being. Their website consists of a variety of workshops, designed to encourage educators to reflect, celebrate, connect, and set goals aligned with their personal goals and well-being. Research conducted by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning supports that SEL workshops help individuals “develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.”
Pros
SEL workshops help teachers foster a sense of emotional and physical self-awareness, promote responsible decision-making, practice relationship skills, and social awareness. Teachers frequently experience high stress, and SEL workshops allow them a moment to take a breath and recenter themselves. The techniques and tools that teachers take away from SEL workshops are highly effective when practiced throughout their day, promoting a sense of confidence and have a better sense of understanding of their learners when coping with emotions.
Cons
As much as SEL promotes student and teacher well-being and fosters a positive classroom environment, it is just one solution that can aid teachers. The most important thing is that teachers find what individually works for them.
Who It’s For
SEL workshops are best for individuals who experience prolonged periods of stress and need to have an open, judgement-free environment to practice the skills, tools, and coping mechanisms learned at these workshops. For teachers experiencing burnout, these workshops could highly benefit your day-to-day. SEL workshops also provide teachers with strategies on how to accommodate young kids who experience high levels of anxiety and stress.
4. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in Education – SDG Academy
Overview
SDG Academy offers virtual, self-paced DEI workshops. Their workshop seeks to raise awareness and build on the ten core aspects of equitable education. SDG’s virtual workshop includes short lectures, activities, collaborative discussions, quizzes, worksheets, reflections, and additional readings.
Pros
Course content is practical and offers models, strategies, and tools for implementation. SDG’s DEI workshops are geared towards a broad audience of education experts and practitioners, which makes it more accessible to wider audiences.
Cons
The viewpoints and opinions shared in the course are solely those of the individuals presenting the material. These presenters could be instructors, guest speakers, or subject matter experts, but ultimately, they are somewhat separate from the SDG organization itself.
Who It’s For
DEI workshops are for teachers looking to address diversity, equity, and inclusion in the classroom. These workshops help to provide the knowledge and skills necessary for a more inclusive and equitable learning environment for their students.
5. Curriculum Development and Lesson Planning – Bright Minds Training
Overview
Bright Minds Trainings offers workshops for teachers looking for support with curriculum development and lesson planning. In this workshop, your process will be broken down into steps, and help you turn your ideas into lesson plans. This workshop teaches educators how to determine the appropriate themes and activities for their age group as well as prepare developmentally appropriate lesson plans for their age group.
Pros
Bright Minds Training is compatible with the state registry for logging PD hours including Stars, MOPID, Registry, or other ECE ID#. This workshop is also a self-paced, online course that can be completed in the comfort of your own home.
Cons
For teachers who are looking for hands-on training with feedback in real-time, this course may not be your best option.
Who It’s For
This workshop is super beneficial for teachers that need support with designing effective curricula. This workshop also provides teachers with strategies to meet the needs of diverse learners.
How to Choose the Right Professional Development Workshop
Finding the Best Fit
Choosing the right professional development workshop for your school can be a bit challenging as there are hundreds of workshops to choose from. It really is important to find the right training and format for your school based on district goals and internal values. Whether it is a virtual, self-paced workshop or an in-person interactive workshop, the best teacher workshops are those that leave a lasting impression on teachers. Be sure to read reviews to validate the credibility of the workshop and ensure it is of high value.
Conclusion
Being a lifelong learner includes continuously trying new things, and in the 21st century, this includes using and learning new technology like AI-powered tools. It is so important to stay ahead of the learning curve and to consider various skills to combine with AI Literacy in order to responsibly and ethically educate our students. AI Literacy is becoming more necessary in education as software continues to evolve and become more integrated into the classroom. For more information on how you can join a community of educators committed to professional growth with AI Literacy, contact us here or give me a call at (407) 747-4796.
I hope the information provided in this article helps you make more informed decisions for choosing effective professional development workshops for teachers in 2024-2025. For additional information, please see the resources at the bottom of this article.
Additional Resources
Fundamentals of SEL.” CASEL, 2024. https://casel.org/fundamentals-of-sel/.
Jerome St. Amand et al., “Sense of Belonging at School: Defining Attributes, Determinants, and Sustaining Strategies,” The International Academic Forum (IAFOR) Journal of Education, Volume 5, Issue 2, Summer 2017; online at https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1156289.pdf
“Kami Wellbeing Report 2023.” Kami, May 2023. https://www.kamiapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Kami-Wellbeing-Report-2023.pdf.
The Effect a Teacher’s Professional Development Has on Student Achievement.” IMSE Journal, 2024. https://journal.imse.com/teacher-pd-and-student-achievement/.
