special education teacher professional development workshops 2022

Home » The 7 Best Special Education Conferences and Workshops for Educators

The 7 Best Special Education Conferences and Workshops for Educators

The Council for Exceptional Children Conference is a stand-out for special education professionals. This conference includes workshops and seminars covering a broad range of important industry topics, like behavioral support, student advocacy, and IEP development.

Special education teachers can improve their classroom management and teaching skills through professional development. Conferences and workshops open the doors for that professional development while blending networking and collaboration opportunities for educators.

The conferences and workshops I cover below are some of the best for special education professionals to consider attending. These events allow special education teachers like you to share their experiences and wisdom with others through resources and support. Hosted by well-known special education organizations, the conferences and workshops in this guide also keep educators up-to-date with ever-evolving industry news, standards, and best practices.

The 7 Best Special Education Conferences and Workshops for Educators

Council for exceptional children (cec) convention and expo, world congress on special needs education (wcsne) conference, learning disabilities association of america (lda) annual international conference, international association of special education (iase) biennial conference, learning without tears professional workshops, wrightslaw programs, international conference on autism, intellectual disability & developmental disabilities.

The CEC Convention and Expo is an annual conference that provides networking and professional development opportunities for special education teachers. The conference includes in-person and virtual learning components, each packed with four days worth of seminars, activities, social hours, and workshops.

Attendees can choose to purchase tickets for the in-person and virtual events or just the virtual conference. The latter includes access to more than 300 on-demand sessions plus live activities for socialization and networking.

The one potential downfall of this conference is that its costs are confusing, as they vary by each registrant’s member type. For instance, early career members pay $359 for the entire convention or $199 for one-day attendance. However, retired members pay $269 for the full convention or $179 for one day. Prices vary if you pay in person or pay by specific deadlines.

Overall, this conference provides the most content for educators compared to others on this list. Plus, you can choose which workshops and seminars to attend, depending on your professional needs and goals.

The WCSNE Conference takes place in November each year. Until further notice, upcoming conferences will be held online, but the international conference typically occurs in different locations. Special educators can connect with industry experts from all over the world to discuss new research, network, and attend lectures for continued learning.

The primary focus of this conference is special education research and best practices. Presenters register their panel discussions, research papers, workshops, and other learning materials to present during the conference.

In its current online format, the WCSNE Conference is more limited than usual. The in-person version hosts large exhibitions where special educators can learn more about higher learning institutions, educational technology, leadership, and more. However, online attendees can still access lectures and journal publications.

Participants can register online for £250 with early-bird pricing or £300 for regular pricing.

LDA’s Annual International Conference is an in-person conference designed for special education teachers, social workers, school principals, and others involved in the special education system. The conference prepares professionals for continued development, provides current research and best practices, and promotes advocacy for special education students.

The four-day conference offers more than 150 workshops, seminars, and activities for attendees to pick and choose from. There’s also a pre-conference that targets a different topic each year, with the upcoming pre-conference covering mental health as it relates to at-risk students.

Students and their parents may also attend the LDA conference to participate in the LDA Exhibit Hall. This six-hour event features exhibitions from colleges, universities, vocational schools, and other educational facilities with resources for special education students interested in higher learning. Exhibitions may also interest special education teachers looking for post-school resources for their students.

Members can attend the entire four-day conference and all events for $425 with early-bird registration or $475 by the regular registration deadline. Non-member pricing is $585 and $645, respectively, for early-bird and regular registration.

The IASE’s Biennial Conference connects special educators, administrators, and policymakers from around the world. Topics cover the breadth of special education, from designing curriculum to meet the needs of students to the governance of special education. Transition services, early childhood education, and lifelong learning are also covered topics.

The activities throughout the four-day conference include lectures, roundtables, workshops, and presentations led by industry experts. Each session lasts between 30-60 minutes and targets one focus area: research, practice, or advancing policy/advocacy for special education students.

Registration costs for the conference vary by member type, registration date, and location. Most regular members pay $635 while pricing for most non-members increases to $685.

The Learning Without Tears program targets handwriting, keyboarding, and writing development for grades Pre-K through five. Educators can attend various workshops hosted by the company to help them implement the programs effectively and get the most out of students who work with them.

Learning Without Tears offers specific workshops for special education teachers to assist students with special needs with handwriting skills. Workshops include adapting your instruction to learners’ needs, dysgraphia training, and assessing handwriting skills. These workshops may not suit special education teachers in middle and high school grades, as the content is geared more toward early education and elementary students.

Workshop trainers are nationally certified and have expertise in special needs therapy, early childhood education, and similar fields. Workshops occur in various locations across the United States and online. Registration rates vary, with shorter workshops falling around $50 and longer workshops costing about $200 or more.

Wrightslaw, an advocating organization for special education, produces training programs for special education teachers, administrators, specialists, and others who work with students with special needs. The Special Education Law & Advocacy Training Program is a popular one-day seminar or two-day bootcamp covering SMART IEPs, evaluations and assessments, and special education law.

Registration fees vary between members, non-members, seminars, and bootcamps. When you register, your payment will also cover three required program textbooks. The programs are available on several dates throughout the year in different U.S. locations.

The Wrightslaw From Emotions to Advocacy training is a one-day program for parents and guardians of children in the special education system. This program teaches parents to become advocates by explaining the IEP process and developing relationships with the IEP team and other professionals who work with the child. Educators may find it helpful to recommend this program to their students’ parents or guardians or attend with them.

The CEC’s Division on Autism & Developmental Disabilities (DADD) hosts the International Conference on Autism, Intellectual Disability & Developmental Disabilities . This annual conference has taken place in Florida, Hawaii, and other states.

Attendees can expect to liaise with notable special education experts who are well-versed in autism and developmental disabilities. The conference features an exhibit hall, over 300 interactive lectures and activities, and networking luncheons. Topics include current disability research, best practices for educators, and tips for improving educational outcomes for special education students.

This three-day conference gives plentiful information for educators who work with children on the autism spectrum. However, professionals who don’t work with these students as frequently may not get as much from this conference as they would from a more generalized special education conference, like the CEC Convention and Expo.

Registration fees range from $200-$350 for the conference, but attendees can save money by bundling pre-conference training and main conference fees together.

How Do I Decide Which Special Education Conference or Workshop Is the Best for Me?

When deciding which special education conferences and workshops to add to your schedule, here are a few points you might want to consider.

Special Education Topics

While some conferences include activities and seminars on more general special education topics, others have a narrower focus, like a specific disability or a specific teaching method. You likely have your reasons for wanting to attend a conference, so it’s essential that the conference’s goals and topics align with what you want to learn.

Before registering, look on the conference’s website to view an itinerary, if available. If you can’t find one, locate contact information for a representative to ask about the topics a conference will cover.

Is the conference held entirely online? Will it be in-person at a venue near you, or will you need to travel a long distance to get there? These are important points to consider for three reasons:

Time away from work. If long-distance travel is a must, you may need to take extra time off work for traveling in addition to the conference dates.
Costs associated with travel. Traveling to another state can add extra costs to your conference budget.
Your learning style. Not everyone can absorb information when they attend conferences online. Some prefer face-to-face instruction and the more collaborative and connective experience that in-person meetings offer.

Professional Development and Networking Opportunities

The best conferences provide plenty of opportunities for learning and networking. Ensure that the conference you’re interested in attending has space in its itinerary for networking events in addition to seminars and workshops.

Also, check that the seminars and workshops can really help you develop yourself as a special education teacher. Do they cover topics relevant to you? Are they hosted by experts that you can learn from? The conference content should make you confident that you can take back lots of helpful, actionable strategies to your classroom.

Conference Costs

Some conferences are much costlier than others, especially those that pack tons of content into three or four days. Typically, virtual conferences are more affordable than in-person events. You may also need to budget for meals, travel, and lodging if attending an in-person event. It’s crucial to consider all associated costs to determine if an event fits your budget.

To save money, consider a few common discounts. Usually, members of the hosting organization can attend for lower registration costs than non-members. Also, look into early-bird pricing that rewards registrants with lower costs for registering early.

You might also be able to ask your employer to cover some of the costs. Because professional development is a requirement for special education teachers, some organizations and schools will pay for educators to attend conferences and workshops.

Highlights: Special Education Conferences and Workshops

I recommend the CEC Convention and Expo because most special education teachers can get lots of helpful information out of it. The event includes numerous opportunities for learning and networking, which are extremely important in our field. A close second is LDA’s Annual International Conference, which packs a lot of well-rounded information into its four-day itinerary.

The WCSNE Conference is best for educators seeking a more cultured approach to professional development and networking with special education leaders worldwide. Wrightslaw programs are perfect for organizations wishing to train their special education teachers and administrators together.

Teachers who work with children with developmental disabilities can focus on relevant topics at DADD’s International Conference on Autism, Intellectual Disability & Developmental Disabilities. And, the Learning Without Tears workshops target handwriting and writing skills in special needs students, which is perfect for teachers wanting to expand their instructional strategies in those areas.

I hope you’re able to attend one or more of these conferences. I always learn something new whenever I attend a great conference and most importantly, I feel invigorated in my work supporting students with disabilities. If you have attended one of the listed conferences above, leave a comment below and share with our readers what some of the highlights were. If there are some great conferences that I missed that you feel deserve to be included, please share! As always, let me know if you have any questions!

About the author

Emily Cummings

I am a mom of two crazy, amazing, independent, little feminists. They bring so much light to my life and a lot less sleep. Since becoming a mother and increasingly in the last year, I have witnessed parents struggling to connect with their child's special education team with no success. I have become more aware of the gaps in our public school system and how parents may benefit from empowerment and advocacy tools.

My work experiences range from a juvenile detention center to an autism specialist in the Issaquah School District and a special education teacher in a self-contained program in the Lake Washington School District. My master's in teaching focused on special education and behavioral disorders from Seattle Pacific University. I completed my BCBA coursework from Montana State University.

Want to get in touch?

I'm happy to help however I can. Email me at hello at behaviorist .com.

Webinars on Special Education

Sped Summit

World's biggest special education conference. it's completely free.

Is the conference virtual only? Yes Sped Summit is completely virtual. All presentations will be delivered online only.
Can I watch replays if I am unable to attend live? Yes replays are available for all sessions till February 14.
How will I get the Professional Development Certificates? You would be asked to take up a short quiz after each session. If you score above a certain percentage, the PD certificate will be delivered to you over email.
How do I sign up for Sped Summit? Use this link to sign up for the summit.
Who is this for? The Sped Summit is for all special ed professionals, be it special educations teachers, SLPs, PTs, OTs, ABA therapists and more...

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15th Jan - 16th Feb 2024

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Session List

Learn from the who's who in the special education space. Practical professional development sessions for FREE!

Are you a Sped Professional? This is for you!

Special educations teachers, slps, pts, ots, aba professionals and more....

Sessions starts 15th January 2024

10 speakers and 10 sessions

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Replays available through Jan & Feb

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LD? Dyslexic? : Critical Ingredients for Reading Success

Learning to read is a complex skill, especially for those struggling with literacy skills. This presentation communicates some critical ingredients of literacy instruction that lead to student success. Research dictates that teaching students to decode is critical. However, when students fail to progress as expected, what underlying skills can be focused on to assist growth? Following the case study of one student, this presentation demonstrates how teaching Learning Disabled or Dyslexic students exposes components of instruction that are often unknown. Based on the research of Professor Stanislas Deheane, we will explore: · Words with multiple meanings · Pronouns · Text cohesion · Attention · Creating Active Learners

15th Jan, 9:00AM PST

IEP Goals that Lead to Success

Writing IEP goals requires a lot of things to consider all at once. In this session, we will explore the ways to think about skills being addressed in an IEP goal to make sure we write measurable goals that get to the heart of a child's challenges. We dive into some common goal writing mistakes, ideas to generate excellent goals, weaving in both specific academic and functional goals, along with some extra resources to support your efforts.

15th Jan, 9:00AM PST

SPED Summit Team

Special Session

Data Collection Tools

This presentation delves into the critical role of data collection in enhancing educational outcomes for students in special education. Participants will explore various data collection tools, with a focus on one such tool - Ablespace, and methods tailored to assess academic progress, behavior, and individualized goals. The presentation aims to empower educators with practical insights into selecting, implementing, and leveraging data effectively to inform instructional decisions and support the overall success of students in special education.

16th Jan, 9:00AM PST

Join the Summit

It really doesn't get better than this.

Offline Recording Available

Replays are available to view till 14th Feb 2024

Navigating Leadership in Special Education: Overcoming the 'I Don't Know How to Be a Boss' Mindset

Ever thought, "I don't know HOW to be a boss?" This mentality is a common struggle for most special educators. In this workshop we'll equip you with the essential tools you need to cultivate positive relationships, establish clear expectations, and define roles to transcend the barriers that come with being a supervisor and become an effective leader for your department.

Supporting Students With Significant Behavioral Needs in the Classroom

This presentation addresses the complexities of supporting students with significant behavioral needs in the classroom setting. Participants will explore the underlying factors contributing to challenging behaviors, and learn practical strategies for fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment. The presentation aims to empower educators with the knowledge and tools needed to implement proactive interventions, build positive relationships and social skills, classroom management and hacks for creating a supportive classroom atmosphere for students facing behavioral challenges, as well as collaborative team approach.

17th Jan, 9:00AM PST

5 Strategies for Optimizing Learning in Self -Contained Settings

Today, we'll explore five key strategies tailored for self-contained settings, ensuring optimal learning experiences. 1)Schedule Setup: Create a consistent routine for stability. Tailor schedules to individual needs. 2)Prompt Hierarchy: Learn and apply prompt levels effectively. Gradually fade prompts for independence. 3)Individual Work Systems (IWS): Personalize systems for each student. Foster engagement and independence. 4)Differentiated Learning Materials: Adapt materials for diverse needs. Ensure accessibility for all students. 5)Visual Supports: Integrate visuals for communication and understanding. Enhance engagement through visual aids. Conclusion: By implementing these strategies—scheduling, prompt hierarchy, IWS, differentiated materials, and visual supports—you'll create an inclusive and supportive environment, maximizing learning potential for students with special needs. Thank you for your dedication to their success!

Effective Collaboration with Spoken Language Interpreters in SPED

Through this session, participants will explore the why, when, and how of collaborating with spoken language interpretations during meetings, assessments and treatment sessions. Important qualities and qualifications of an interpreter will be discussed, as well as effective strategies that service providers should employ when working with interpreters in their practice. As a result of this course, participants will be able to: 1) Identify situations when an interpreter and/or translator would be needed. 2) Explain the minimal competencies of a qualified interpreter and translator and the possible ethical and legal ramifications of not meeting those competencies. 3) Summarize responsibilities of SPED providers when using interpreters. Disclosures. Financial disclosures: Non-financial disclosures: Fe is employed by an academic organization that values scholarly work. Promotions within the university may be directly impacted by productivity in this area. Fe is a member of the American Association of Interpreters and Translators in Education (AAITE) Fe is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is an associate coordinator for Special Interest Group (SIG) 14, Cultural and Linguistic Diversity (CLD).

18th Jan, 9:00AM PST

Strategies for Teaching Transitional Skills in Special Education

Empower your students with essential transitional skills, beginning right within the classroom. This specialized training delves into an exploration of three impactful strategies tailored for teaching transitional skills before you ever leave the educational setting. Join me to learn effective teaching methods that will pave the way for successful transitions from the classroom to the real world. As a bonus, you will get free resources just for attending!

19th Jan, 9:00AM PST

How to promote Inclusion in General ed classrooms

This presentation focuses on cultivating inclusive practices within general education classrooms to create environments that celebrate diversity and accommodate the needs of all learners. Participants will explore key principles of inclusive education, practical strategies for differentiation, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and fostering positive attitudes among students. The presentation aims to empower educators with the tools needed to create welcoming spaces where every student feels valued, supported, and engaged in the learning process.

Benefits and use of AAC and other technology in SPED classrooms

This presentation explores the transformative impact of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and various other technologies in Special Education (SPED) classrooms. We delve into the multifaceted benefits these tools offer, including enhanced communication, increased engagement, and personalized learning experiences for students with diverse abilities. The goal is to empower educators with insights into effective implementation strategies, fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students.

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special education teacher professional development workshops 2022

2022 Special Education Conference

Join us for CTA’s Special Education Conference! Registration is now open!

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Conferences, scholarships/awards, virtual trainings, event description.

This exciting new conference covers a wide variety of special education topics of interest to the classroom educator and resource professional. Sessions are peer-led to ensure you are learning from experienced educators while exchanging perspectives and networking with colleagues.

Join us for a robust program that dives into not only classroom pedagogy, but specific strategies for collaboration, communication, and successful outcomes.

Over 6,000 CTA members attended the Virtual Conferences in 2020 and 2021. With a specially discounted price of only $129, this conference will sell out so be sure to register early.

If you have any questions, please email the conference staff at [email protected] .

(VIRUTAL) IPD/CDE PRE-CONFERENCE AGENDA: Click here to download the current agenda.

CONFERENCE AGENDA *: Click here to download the current agenda.

WORKSHOP GRID*: Click here to download the current grid.

DESCRIPTIONS *: Click here to download the current workshop descriptions.

FRIDAY WELCOME BUFFET DINNER & DANCE FLYER – 90’s NIGHT! Celebrating 1990 in honor of the American with Disabilities Act of 1990.

* All program details and documents are subject to change.

Friday, September 30

4:00 PM - 8:30 PM

CTA Registration Desk & Exhibitor Showcase

6:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Conference Orientation

6:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Friends of Bill W.

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Welcome Buffet Dinner - 90's Night!

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Dance - 90's Night!

Saturday, October 1

7:45 AM - 3:30 PM

7:45 AM - 9:00 AM

Breakfast Buffet

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Opening Keynote Speaker: Kathy Buckley

9:15 AM - 10:30 AM

Workshop Session 1

10:45 AM - 12:00 PM

Workshop Session 2

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Lunch & Keynote Speaker: E. Toby Boyd, CTA President

1:45 PM - 3:00 PM

Workshop Session 3

3:00 PM - 3:15 PM

Coffee and Tea Service

3:15 PM - 4:30 PM

Workshop Session 4

4:45 PM - 5: 45 PM

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Dinner on Own

Sunday, October 2

8:30 AM - 10:30 AM

CTA Registration Desk

9:00 AM - 10:15 AM

Workshop Session 5

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Brunch & Closing General Session: Carrie Flint

Conference Concludes

Pre-Conference Workshops

(Virtual) IPD/CDE Pre-Conference: Best Practices for New Educators in Special Education

Thursday, September 29: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Complimentary
6:00 PM – 6:30 PM Opening Session – Keynote: Heather Calomese, State Special Education Director, California Dept. of Education. Heather will address the state of Special Education in California and share with attendees what the CDE Special Education Division does to support their work.
Unique Needs of Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing in the Mainstream or SDC Classroom : Come learn the special needs and accommodations needed for students with hearing loss in the general education or SDC classroom (not DHH SDC classroom) to help them succeed.
Best Practices for Running an IEP Meeting : This workshop will cover best practices for the IEP meeting, including what to do before the meeting, during the meeting, and after the meeting.
IEP Rights and Responsibilities : This session will cover various topic related to IEP meetings, including what should happen before, during, and after IEP meetings, including EdCode related to meetings and attendance expectations, school personnel and parent training, and other Special Education “must knows.” We will also review complaint procedures. The target audience is General Education teachers, newer Special Education teachers, and veteran Special Education teachers wanting a review of IEP practices.
Managing Expectations : In the session we will look at practical classroom management strategies, developing a strength-based, student-centered enforcement of expectations, and setting up procedures that guide smoother classroom environments and task transitions. We will delve into simple mind-shifts that will better prepare us for learning, and practically guide our students in general and special education settings to better engage in our guided instructional tasks!
7:30 PM – 8:00 PM Closing Session – Hear about the statewide resources available from the CDE and CTA, and hear how you can be more involved with CTA on Special Education matters.
Address : 1333 Old Bayshore Hwy, Burlingame, CA 94010
Phone : 650-347-1234
Group Rate: $149/night + tax
Booking Deadline: Cutoff date has been extended until September 30th (or until hotel block sells out)
Parking: $15/day Self Parking

Booking information will be provided during conference registration.

CTA Members – $129
SCTA Members – $25
Invited Exhibitor – $560 / booth

Featured Presenters

E. Toby Boyd

CTA President

His background includes a host of leadership and advocacy roles during a 25-year teaching career in the Elk Grove Unified School District.

Carrie Flint

Carrie Flint is an award-winning physical education teacher, national presenter, and author from California. She is known for her passion and advocacy for quality physical education, addressing mental illness in the school setting and the importance of creating a safe and positive learning environment for all students. Carrie draws from her vast teaching experience for she has taught in numerous schools and districts; all grade levels all populations for over 20 years. She shares her Musical PE program and teaching expertise on class management, student engagement, and growth mindset.

Kathy Buckley

America’s Favorite Hearing Impaired Comedienne. Actress, motivational speaker Kathy Buckley, and now author of best selling book. IF YOU COULD HEAR WHAT I SEE, will have you laughing and crying as you experience the amazing story of her life. You would have seen her PBS special NO LABELS, NO LIMITS! HBO Special, Tonight show, Touch by an Angel, Entertainment Tonight, Good Morning America, The Howard Stern Show, E! Entertainment Television Special, The World’s Most Intriguing Women and that’s just to name a few. She has also been recognized by the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army for outstanding efforts toward disability employment awareness. Kathy Buckley bears her message that anything can be achieved when the heart and the mind work together.

Local Amenities

The Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport offers many on-site amenities including three dining outlets, room service, outdoor heated pool, 24-hour fitness center, and complimentary shuttle to SFO Airport. If you would like to explore the local area, Downtown Burlingame is only 1.8 miles away and is offers many unique dining and shopping options. Burlingame is also well connected to San Francisco to the north (a quick 35 minute BART ride away), and Palo Alto and other cities in Silicon Valley to the south are accessible via trains, buses and shuttles.

Health & Safety Policies

The health and safety of attendees, exhibitors and staff are our highest priority. In partnership with hotels, CTA will adhere to all official government and local authority guidance, as well as any venue or location-specific regulations.

All attendees, staff, exhibitors, and invited guests will be required to show proof of vaccination OR a written negative COVID-19 test taken within 1 day for an antigen test or 2 days for a PCR test upon check-in at the CTA Registration Desk.

Proof of vaccination can be in the form of your physical Vaccination Record Card (CRC) from the CDC, an image of the card, if you have a picture on your phone, or your digital COVID -19 vaccine record issued by the State of California.

Click here to see CTA’s health and safety policies for in-person events.

Session documents will be available in the conference app and attendee hub closer to the start of the conference.

Professional Growth Hours : Professional Growth credit will be available at no cost for CTA members. Confirmation of professional growth hours will be emailed shortly after the conference.

University Credit: The 2022-2023 University Credit Program is a benefit available to members attending CTA Conferences during the 2022-2023 school year. CTA Members, through attending in-person or virtual conferences, will be given the opportunity to accumulate the professional growth hours needed to qualify for university credit units with CSU, Chico. As a benefit to members, CTA will cover the cost for up to six university credit units with CSU, Chico, normally $75/credit. The professional growth hours can be accumulated by attending conferences live and/or by watching recordings. Click here for more information on how to claim the credit.

The CTA Board of Directors will award conference grants for the upcoming Special Education Conference. These incentive grants are available to new members, ethnic minority members and members from small chapters. Please click here for more details.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR CONFERENCE GRANTS

Application Deadline: Tuesday August 23, 2022

Planner Name : Jessica Guccione

Email : [email protected]

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Each year at the CEC Convention & Expo, thousands of special education professionals from around the world come together to learn, share, grow, and connect. With hundreds of sessions on just about every topic in the field, the CEC Convention & Expo is THE professional development event for special educators to find research, tips, and strategies you can actually apply to supporting students with disabilities and/or gifts and talents.

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Special education professional development guide for 2023.

Special education professional development is the continuous learning and support provided to teachers to equip them with skills on how to teach and help learners with special needs in their daily activities.

Special education professional development focuses on addressing the unique needs of students in inclusive settings and provides educators with strategies to ensure student success. Teachers learn about common misconceptions surrounding inclusive settings and special education.

Teachers also gain a deeper understanding of various disability classifications and the importance of providing appropriate accommodations and modifications to meet students' needs.

Unlike regular professional development that covers a broad range of topics such as classroom management and pedagogical skills, special education professional development focuses on specific areas such as behavior management techniques and understanding specific learning disabilities.

In this guide, we’ll delve into what special education entails, the types of special education professional development, and various disability classifications.

Professional Development for Special Education

Professional development for special education refers to targeted learning opportunities designed specifically for special education teachers. These programs recognize the distinct needs and challenges faced by educators working with students with disabilities. In turn, they offer strategies and resources to support their professional growth.

Special education teachers must make the most of professional development opportunities and stay up-to-date with the latest developments and acquire the necessary tools to meet the diverse needs of their students. Special education is a dynamic field constantly evolving with new research, interventions, and best practices.

Participating in special education professional development programs offers numerous benefits.

You gain a deeper understanding of the diverse range of disabilities and the specific challenges associated with each one. This knowledge enables you to develop more targeted and effective instructional strategies.
Special education professional development provides you with a platform to network, collaborate and share experiences with your peers. By learning from others, you can enhance your practices and promote a collective culture of continuous improvement.
Professional development equips you with evidence-based practices, resources, and tools to create inclusive learning environments. It empowers you to implement accommodations and modifications that support students' access to the curriculum and foster their overall development.

Ultimately, special education professional development contributes to improved educational outcomes for students with disabilities.

Types of Special Education Professional Development

There are various special education professional development opportunities that cater to your needs as a teacher. This includes webinars, online workshops, professional learning communities (PLCs), online courses (MOOCs), educational blogs, and podcasts.

By engaging in different types of professional development, you enhance your knowledge, expand your skill set, and stay informed about the latest research and practices in the field.

Here are different types of special education professional development opportunities:

1- Webinars and Online Workshops

In today’s digital era, webinars and online workshops are a convenient and accessible way for special education teachers to engage in professional development. Organizations like Simple K12 , mycariad.org , and many more offer free webinars on various topics relevant to special education.

These topics may include differentiated instruction, behavior management, assistive technology, and inclusive teaching practices. Webinars allow you to gain insights from experts, ask questions, and explore practical strategies that can be immediately implemented in your classrooms.

2- Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)

Joining the Professional Learning Community has immense value for special education teachers. PLCs bring together like-minded professionals interested in improving their teaching practice. You can find PLC communities locally, within school districts, or online through platforms like Twitter chats, Facebook groups, or specialized forums.

PLCs offer opportunities for collaboration, sharing of resources and ideas, and peer support. By engaging in PLCs you tap into the collective wisdom of experienced educators. You can also access diverse perspectives and gain practical insights that enhance your teaching effectiveness.

3- Online Courses and MOOCs

Special professional development has been revolutionized by Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), providing flexible and accessible learning opportunities. Platforms like Coursera , edX , and FutureLearn offer a wide range of online courses covering topics relevant to special education.

While some courses may have a cost associated with earning a certificate, many platforms allow you to audit the course and access the content for free. This flexibility enables you to learn at your own pace, acquire new skills, and stay updated on the latest research and best practices.

Online courses often incorporate interactive activities, case studies, and discussions, providing a rich learning experience for special education teachers.

4- Educational Blogs and Podcasts

Blogs and podcasts serve as fantastic mediums for gathering insights, tips, and inspiration from experienced educators. Many special education professionals share their expertise through these platforms, providing valuable resources that can enhance teaching practices.

Educational blogs offer a wealth of information, ranging from practical strategies to reflections on teaching experiences. Podcasts provide engaging discussions and interviews with experts in the field, allowing you to stay connected and learn from thought leaders.

By exploring educational blogs and podcasts, special education teachers can gain fresh perspectives, discover innovative ideas, and access a wealth of resources to support their professional growth.

Areas of Special Education Professional Development

Special education professional development programs are crucial in improving various aspects of special education. These areas include assistive technology, dyslexia, ARD/IEP support, autism, behavior, and discipline, deaf/hard of hearing, dyslexia, evaluation, and many more.

Educators can enhance their knowledge, skills, and ability to effectively support students with diverse needs by focusing on these areas.

Let’s discuss the areas of special education professional development in brief:

Assistive technology- This refers to tools, devices, and software that assist learners with disabilities in accessing information, communication, and learning. The assistive devices work to compensate for a learner’s specific learning deficits. Special education professional development equips you with knowledge about different assistive technology options, how to integrate them into the curriculum, and how to customize the technology to meet individual students' needs.

This training ensures you can effectively use technology to enhance the learning experience and independence of students with disabilities.

ARD/IEP support- ARD (Admission, Review, and Dismissal) meetings and IEPs (Individualized Education Plans) are critical components of special education. Special education professional development provides a deep understanding of the legal requirements, guidelines, and best practices for developing and implementing IEPs.

It covers strategies to engage families, gather relevant data, set meaningful goals, and design appropriate accommodations and modifications to meet each student's unique needs.

Autism- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects communication, behavior, and social interaction. Special education professional development on autism equips you with evidence-based strategies to create supportive environments for students on the spectrum. You get insight into effective strategies and interventions for supporting students with ASD in various educational settings.

This training includes communication techniques, sensory integration approaches, social skills instruction, and behavior management strategies tailored to the individual's strengths and challenges.

Behavior and discipline- Special education professional development in behavior management equips you with techniques such as positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS), functional behavior assessments (FBA), and behavior intervention plans (BIP).

This training helps you understand the root causes of challenging behaviors and implement proactive interventions.

Deaf/hard of hearing- Students with hearing impairments require specialized support to access the curriculum. Hard hearing focuses on learning American Sign Language (ASL), using assistive technology, implementing visual aids, and understanding the unique communication and learning needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

As an educator, you will learn about various communication methods, such as sign language and oral communication, and assistive listening devices.

Dyslexia- Dyslexia affects reading and spelling abilities. Special education professional development on dyslexia equips you with research-based strategies, multisensory approaches, and phonics instruction to help students with dyslexia improve their reading skills.

You learn to identify early signs of dyslexia, implement targeted interventions, and create a supportive learning environment to help students with dyslexia achieve reading success.

Evaluation- Accurate evaluation is essential for identifying students with disabilities and determining appropriate support and services. The evaluation focuses on assessing students' academic, social, and behavioral needs through various evaluation methods to inform appropriate educational programming and interventions.

With evaluation training, you gather meaningful data to develop appropriate individualized educational plans for students with disabilities.

Early childhood special education- Early intervention and support are crucial for young children with developmental delays or disabilities. Early childhood special education development programs address the unique needs of young children with disabilities, emphasizing early intervention, inclusive practices, and family involvement.

The program helps you to focus on age-appropriate assessment, implementing individualized learning plans, and providing play-based interventions to support the overall development of young learners.

Family engagement- Collaboration with families is vital in special education. This training emphasizes building strong partnerships between educators and families to create a supportive learning environment for students.

You learn effective communication strategies, involve families in the IEP process, and incorporate culturally responsive practices.

Low-incidence disability- Low-incidence disabilities refer to rare and severe disabilities. Training in this area focuses on understanding and addressing the needs of students with low-incidence disabilities, such as multiple disabilities or severe intellectual disabilities.

Low-incidence disability training helps you to meet the unique needs of students with low-incidence disabilities, such as multiple disabilities, traumatic brain injury, or severe intellectual disabilities.

Section 504- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act protects the rights of individuals with disabilities in federally funded programs, including public schools.

Special education professional development on Section 504 covers the eligibility criteria, evaluation process, and appropriate accommodations to support students who may not qualify for an IEP but still require reasonable accommodations.

Speech-language pathology- Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are crucial in supporting students with communication disorders. This area covers communication disorders and interventions, emphasizing speech and language assessment, therapy techniques, and collaboration with speech-language pathologists.

Professional development in speech-language pathology equips you with strategies for improving speech and language skills, addressing articulation and fluency issues, and promoting effective communication.

Special education administration- Professional development in special education administration covers legal requirements, program evaluation, budgeting, staff supervision, and creating an inclusive and supportive school culture.

Professional development programs train special education administrators on legal requirements, program management, budgeting, personnel supervision, and ensuring compliance with regulations.

SPED inclusive practices- Inclusive education aims to give all students access to quality education in mainstream classrooms regardless of their abilities. SPED inclusive practice promotes inclusive education by equipping special education professionals with strategies to support students with disabilities in general education classrooms effectively.

Professional development in SPED-inclusive practices focuses on adapting instruction, providing appropriate accommodations, fostering peer support, and promoting a positive and accepting classroom environment that supports the diverse needs of all students.

Visual impairment- Students with visual impairments require specialized support to access educational materials and participate in classroom activities. Training in the visual impairment area focuses on understanding the unique needs of students with visual impairments and providing appropriate accommodations, assistive technology, and orientation and mobility instruction.

Professional development covers techniques such as braille instruction, orientation and mobility training, and assistive technology to enhance learning for visually impaired students.

By investing in special education professional development, you enhance your teaching practices, create more inclusive classrooms, and positively impact the lives of your students with special needs.

Other Special Education Professional Developm ent Options

In addition to specialized areas of professional development, there are various options available for you to enhance your skills and knowledge in special education.

Other special education professional development options you can engage in include:

Joining professional organizations: You can join organizations like the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) or local special education associations. These organizations offer resources, conferences, webinars, and networking opportunities.
Resources for special education teachers: Look for online platforms, websites, and journals that are dedicated to providing special education resources. The resources may include lesson plans, research articles, and best practices to support teachers in their professional growth.
Collaborating with other educators: You can collaborate in activities with general education teachers, support staff, and other special education professionals. Collaboration fosters sharing ideas, strategies, and experiences, creating a supportive professional network.
Advocating for special education: As a special education professional, you can advocate for policy changes, increased funding, and improved resources for students with special needs. Advocacy can be achieved by engaging in local and national advocacy efforts, attending legislative meetings, and sharing their expertise.
Learning about technology in special education: You can use assistive technology, educational apps, adaptive devices, and online learning platforms. This can help you integrate technology effectively into your teaching practices.

Being a Better Special Education Teacher Every Day

With continuous education, you stay current with best practices, research-based strategies, and the evolving needs of students with special needs. You also improve your skills, expand your knowledge, and support your special education students better.

Special education professional development opportunities help you acquire new strategies, learn from experts in the field, and gain fresh insights into effective teaching methods. It also demonstrates a commitment to professional growth and a dedication to better serving your students with special needs.

Simple K12 can help you upgrade your career through special education professional development. Explore our professional development courses , workshops, conferences, and resources specifically designed to enhance your knowledge in special education.

Get to learn at your own pace and advance your skills to work in a diverse classroom.

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May 24, 2022

Now that we’re nearing summer, you might have more time to think about professional learning and licensure requirements. If you’re a teacher looking for a way to meet your professional development goals, there are plenty of options. Here are some free online professional development courses for teachers to consider, along with a brief overview and the requirements to complete each one.

Waterford.org Science of Reading Opportunities for Free Professional Development

These free Waterford.org Science of Reading webinars offer a free online professional learning opportunity to explore research-based classroom strategies. Learn how to use the latest neuroscience to inform reading instruction, help students build key literacy skills, and teach students to become effective communicators. The webinar sessions include:

Phonological Awareness: The Structure of Spoken Language
Phonics: Breaking the Reading Code
Fluency: The Bridge from Word Identification to Reading Comprehension
Comprehension & Vocabulary: Reading as a Lifelong Tool for Learning
Language Concepts: The Structure of Written Language
Communication: The Four Domains of Language

PBS TeacherLine

Through PBS TeacherLine , you can choose 15-, 30-, or 45-hour courses, which are generally available for continuing education credits. You can even earn graduate-level credit through university partnerships. Each course is self-paced and can be completed around your own schedule.

Coursera is a learning resource that partners with universities all over the world to provide free and accessible courses. You can find plenty of professional learning courses specifically for teachers, including:

Supporting Children with Difficulties in Reading and Writing
Teaching Character and Creating Positive Classrooms
Motivating Gen Z Learners: What Parents and Teachers Need to Know

TeachingTolerance

If you’re looking for professional development focused on social-emotional learning, check out TeachingTolerance . Their professional development section includes tons of webinars and self-guided learning resources on topics like diversity, leadership, and empathy in the classroom.

LearnersEdge

LearnersEdge offers free on-demand webinar recordings on a wide variety of topics, from mindfulness and mental health awareness to reading and writing. After you’ve finished the webinar, you can receive a certificate as needed for your specific professional development requirements.

Canvas has a collection of online, self-paced professional development options for teachers—many of which are free. Here are a few examples of the courses they offer:

The Art and Craft of Remote Teaching
Safe & Resilient Schools: Mental Health
Supporting Girls in STEAM

Learning for Justice

Learning for Justice has an archive of webinars on improving equity and access in schools that are available on demand. Here, you can learn about topics like How to Be an Ally in the Classroom and Responding to Hate and Bias at School.

If your district allows webinars to fulfill professional development requirements, this can be a great option.

Whether you’re a STEM teacher or just learning more about the scientific side of teaching, SciLearn offers webinars focused around the neuroscience of learning. A few recent sessions include:

How to Rewire the Brains of Struggling Learners
Engaging All Students with Poverty in Mind
Developing Executive Function from Kindergarten Through High School

National Education Association

The National Educators Association (NEA) maintains a website of live and archived webinars for teachers looking to fulfill their professional development credits. The organization also hosts a podcast called School Me , and while it’s not eligible for credits, it does offer tons of bite-sized “life hacks” for educators.

Sanford Inspire

Webinars are a quick and convenient way to fulfill professional development hours online, but if you’re looking for a more hands-on option, try completing one of the free professional development courses from Sanford Aspire . After finishing the course and passing an assessment, you gain a professional development certificate which you can then submit to your district and potentially redeem for credit.

Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development

The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) website has a large archive of webinars for teachers, as well as live webinar options for ASCD members. Like other webinar options on this list, each session can be redeemed for an hour of credit if it meets the specific requirements for your license renewal.

The slogan of SimpleK12 is “professional development in your pajamas,” and they offer educational webinars to watch at home. Although some webinars are only available for site members, many others are free to the public.

Free Professional Development Modules by The Library of Congress

The Library of Congress offers build-your-own professional learning modules on subjects like Understanding Copyright and Primary Sources and Inquiry. These are designed for educators interested in presenting their own professional development course for their colleagues, which you can then submit to your district to request licensure credit.

Additionally, there are online webinars and workshops that can potentially fulfill one hour of professional development.

Institute for Arts Integration and STEAM

The arts and humanities are a vital way to teach children creativity and critical thinking. Through the Institute for Arts Integration and STEAM , you can access free toolkits and audio trainings on bringing arts into the classroom—several of which can be redeemed for professional development hours.

Holding both live and on-demand webinars, edWeb can easily fit into your schedule. Because of the range of topics, the webinars can be great free professional development for both teachers of early elementary students and teachers in older grades.

Facing History

Facing History provides both free and paid courses, webinars, and video professional learning options on challenging bigotry in education. If you’re unable to attend an event in person, there is also an archive of on-demand webinars and workshops .

SHAPE America

If you’re a health or P.E. teacher (or you just want to learn more about health education), this resource is for you. SHAPE America is a website run by the Society of Health and Physical Educators that includes plenty of free webinars on K-12 health education. A few examples include:

Ideas for Equitable and Accessible Teaching in Health and Physical Education
No-Cost Digital Resources to Support Social, Emotional and Physical Wellness
Trauma Sensitive Practices in Health Education

TeachersFirst Workshops

Many of the options on this list are self-guided or pre-recorded, but if you’re looking for an interactive professional development option, TeachersFirst might be more your speed. These free, live workshops are each approximately 90 minutes long and scheduled after school hours for teachers with a busy workday.

ShareMyLesson

ShareMyLesson offers a wide variety of short professional development sessions geared toward teachers, administrators, and parents. You can watch these sessions on your own time and receive one hour of continuing education credit for each, provided they meet your specific licensure requirements.

Through KQED Teach , you can take courses on digital media to help you get the most out of educational technology in your classroom. Whether you want to learn how to make a teacher blog, detect online misinformation, or even try your hand at video production, you’re sure to find a course that fits your interests.

EdWeek Special Education Webinars

For special education teachers, EdWeek offers live and recorded webinars for professional learning in education. After watching a webinar, you can receive a certificate verifying one hour of professional development. Recent webinar topics include:

Equity, Care and Connection: New SEL Tools and Practices to Support Students and Adults
A Seat at the Table: Strategies & Tips for Complex Decision-Making
Making Digital Literacy a Priority: An Administrator’s Perspective

Mental Health Awareness Month 2021: 7 Ways to Nurture Your Child’s Mental Health

May is Mental Health Awareness month! For 2021, the theme is “You Are Not Alone,” as chosen by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

A boy reading outside. Find books about emotional and mental health perfect for family reading.

12 Children’s Books and Activity Guides to Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month with Young Learners

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Stories can mirror a child’s experience to let them know they are not alone and offer them a window

Can You Complete These 48 Summer Reading Challenges?

With all the exciting activities available during the summer, getting kids to read can be a struggle. But if you can find new ways to

Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten: 6 Important Skills to Foster

MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving Awards Waterford.org a $10 Million Grant

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

B-1. What is meant by “high-quality professional development”?

The term “high-quality professional development” means professional development that meets the criteria contained in the definition of professional development in Title IX, Section 9101(34) of ESEA. Professional development includes, but is not limited to, activities that:

Improve and increase teachers’ knowledge of academic subjects and enable teachers to become highly qualified;
Are an integral part of broad schoolwide and districtwide educational improvement plans;
Give teachers and principals the knowledge and skills to help students meet challenging State academic standards;
Improve classroom management skills;
Are sustained, intensive, and classroom-focused and are not one-day or short-term workshops;
Advance teacher understanding of effective instruction strategies that are based on scientifically based research; and
Are developed with extensive participation of teachers, principals, parents, and administrators.

B-2. What strategies can States use to help LEAs adopt and implement more effective teacher professional development activities?

States can, for example:

1. develop guidance on effective strategies for improving teacher quality and provide that guidance to the LEAs;
2. adopt a formal statement of State priorities;
3. improve technical assistance and monitoring for LEAs;
4. sponsor conferences and other meetings that address issues related to improving teacher performance; and
5. disseminate information about successful programs and practices.

In providing this assistance, States should consider the needs of all teachers - whether they are regular classroom teachers, special education teachers, or teachers of English language learners - so that a unified, comprehensive system of professional development is available to all who need to be highly qualified. States might also provide guidance to LEAs on effective ways of coordinating resources available for professional development from programs such as Title I and Title III of the ESEA and IDEA, Part B.

B-3. The statute authorizes LEAs to use program funds for “teacher advancement initiatives that promote professional growth and emphasize multiple career paths, such as paths to becoming a career teacher, mentor teacher, or exemplary teacher…” [Section 2113(c)(14)]. What are some options by which LEAs can implement these activities?

Too often, the best career advancement option currently available for teachers is to become school principals or LEA administrators. This leaves fewer excellent, experienced teachers working directly with children in the classroom. Teacher advancement initiatives that offer multiple career paths can provide professional opportunities without having teachers leave the classroom. For example, an LEA could establish a system whereby teachers could opt to pursue various career paths, such as:

becoming a career teacher, staying in the classroom with traditional instructional duties;
becoming a mentor teacher, staying in the classroom but taking on additional duties such as mentoring first-year teachers and receiving additional pay for these duties; or
becoming an exemplary teacher, based on a distinguished record of increasing student academic achievement, and training other teachers to do the same while receiving additional pay for these duties.

B-4. Does the law contain any restrictions on the amount of Title II, Part A funds that an SEA may spend on professional development?

No. However, in considering how to spend its State-level funds, the SEA should focus on its need to ensure that all teachers its LEAs employ who teach in core academic subjects meet the requirements for a highly qualified teacher by the end of the 2005-2006 school year.

B-5. In many rural areas, offering high-quality professional development activities can be challenging because there may not be a critical mass of teachers who need help in the same subject. How can rural districts address this situation?

One possible way that rural districts can provide teachers with professional development activities is by offering distance-learning opportunities. Many State colleges and universities currently offer distance learning. Through distance learning a teacher in a rural area can take professional development courses that meet his/her specific needs. For example, the Department recently awarded a grant to the Western Governors University (WGU) to develop and implement teacher training and certification courses. WGU is currently seeking State approvals for its teacher licensure and certification programs. WGU’s website, at www.wgu.edu/index.asp , explains how teachers from any location can access services.

B-6. What types of professional development can assist veteran teachers to develop and demonstrate subject-matter competence?

States have the flexibility, in designing their HOUSSE procedures, to determine the extent to which various types of professional development activities can assist teachers to develop and demonstrate subject-matter competence. For instance, States may determine how professional development provided by particular institutions or organizations (e.g., universities or community colleges, textbook publishers, curriculum developers, comprehensive school reform model developers, or any other specialized in-service training provider) contributes to a teacher’s subject-area knowledge. However, unless it is unusually intensive, a single professional development experience by itself will not provide the content knowledge necessary to enable a teacher not new to the profession to demonstrate subject-matter competency.

To read the full document including additional detail on this important topic you can download the PDF File (743k) - What is a Highly Qualified Teacher

To download right click and choose save target as or to view the PDF file left click on the link above.

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When it comes to expanding the knowledge and skills of UFT members, no one does it better than the union's educational programs. The UFT Course Catalog offers courses and workshops to meet the needs of all educators. Through our online catalog, UFT members can:

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1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Rescheduled: School Finance Training Series (Marshall)

May 28, 2024

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May 29, 2024

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June 3, 2024

8:30 AM - 3:30 PM LETRS Volume 2 Facilitator Training - Marshall MS Board Room

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June 12, 2024

9:00 AM - 2:30 PM Summer Leadership Conference - Day 2 - Spicer

June 13, 2024

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June 19, 2024

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June 25, 2024

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June 26, 2024

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July 1, 2024

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9:30 AM - 2:00 PM SWWC Custodial Days - SWWC, Marshall

July 16, 2024

8:00 AM - 12:00 PM What Are These Google Tools? - Marshall

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August 5, 2024

8:30 AM - 3:00 PM NSTC 101 SpEd Bootcamp Workshop - Redwood Falls

August 6, 2024

8:00 AM - 12:00 PM CPI Refresher Training - Tyler

8:30 AM - 3:00 PM NSTC 150 SpEd Bootcamp Workshop - Redwood Falls

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8:00 AM - 4:00 PM CPI Initial Training - Redwood Falls (2 day training)

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August 13, 2024

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August 14, 2024

8:30 AM - 3:30 PM SWWC Knowledge Empowers You! KEY Paraprofessional Conference - Willmar

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8:30 AM - 3:30 PM SWWC Knowledge Empowers You! KEY Paraprofessional Conference - Marshall

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8:30 AM - 2:30 PM CPI Initial Training - Willmar (2 day training)

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Special Educator Academy

Free resources, free special education webinars, 3 free special education webinars on demand.

Grab professional development in your pajamas with these special education webinars on your schedule. Watch the entire episode and get a certificate of completion to request CEUs from your district.

They are examples of the exact same workshops I offer in the Special Educator Academy . Each one is 45 minutes to an hour and they are available whenever you are.

The Free Webinar Details

All 3 special education webinars are recorded and are available whenever you are. Just register and watch.

At the end of the webinar, you will walk away with strategies and tools you can use in your classroom the next day.

The webinars are great for veteran and new teachers alike. Everyone will walk away with strategies they can use.

If you stay until the end of the webinar and receive a bonus download of free materials and a certificate indicating completion.

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From running Autism Classroom Resources, to creating teacher resources on TeachersPayTeachers as Autism Classroom News, my passion has always been about bringing special educators together and helping them serve their students in the best ways they can. I have spent the last 20 years working with a wide variety of special education programs as a behavior specialist, an administrator, and primarily as a trainer and consultant. Teachers should never feel like they teach on an island. I want to change that by providing a site where special educators can come together to learn ways to make their jobs easier, to support each other, and to put the excitement back in their teaching.

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13 of the Best Education Conferences To Check Out in 2024

Top picks for educators of all kinds.

Woman holding a microphone and speaking to a group. Text reads Best Education Conferences.

Education conferences give teachers, administrators, and other education professionals a chance to explore new ideas and strategies, network with their peers, and recharge their excitement for teaching. Plus, there’s always a lot of fun free swag! There are meetups across the country and all throughout the year in 2024. (Tip: Book early to get the best rates.) Here are our picks for the best education conferences for the year ahead.

LitCon 2024

The National K–8 Literacy & Reading Recovery Conference is the place to be for leaders in childhood literacy. Designed by and for educators, LitCon sessions focus on best instructional practices for classroom teachers, literacy coaches and specialists, Title I teachers and coordinators, Reading Recovery professionals, and more.

January 27–30, 2024
Columbus, Ohio

Innovative Schools Summits

The ISS events offer you access to four education conferences, each with their own individual focus, all for one price. Attend sessions for the Wired Differently/Trauma-Informed Schools Conference, Innovative Teaching Strategies Conference, School Climate & Culture Forum, and At-Risk Students Conference. It’s a terrific way to put together a conference experience that’s truly meaningful to you.

Dates and locations:

New York, February 28–March 2, 2024
Orlando, March 7–10, 2024
Nashville, June 19–23, 2024
Las Vegas, July 8–12, 2024

Science on the Grand 2024

Fuel your teaching fire with a STEAM conference for grades K-12 that’s filled with practical, teacher-tested ideas. NGSS-aligned sessions are focused on cutting-edge, inquiry-driven, and classroom-ready strategies tailored for today’s educational challenges. Plus you’ll get to enjoy VIP treatment while mingling with fellow teachers over catered meals, free drinks, and fabulous prizes. At this conference, you’ll gain fresh insights and perspectives to revitalize your teaching methods and create a classroom environment where curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking flourish.

July 15-16, 2024
Grand Rapids, Michigan

SXSW EDU Conference & Festival

This conference is all about what educators really want! Participants vote on thousands of proposals submitted by fellow educators, choosing the final lineup for what promises to be one of the most exciting conferences around. For 2024, the majority of sessions are in Teaching & Learning and Equity & Justice tracks, followed by Leadership for Tomorrow and Arts & Storytelling.

March 4–7, 2024
Austin, Texas

NSTA Denver 2024

In this three-day science and STEM education event, educators will share experiences, learn from collaborators, catch up with colleagues, and meet new friends. There will be engaging presentations focused on developing scientific literacy in the STEM classroom, as well as a vibrant Exhibit Hall featuring the latest teaching tools and materials, plus so much more!

March 20–23, 2024
Denver, Colorado

ASCD Annual Conference

Learn, celebrate, connect. Don’t miss this action-packed event with hundreds of educational movers, shakers, and changemakers. Supercharge as an educator ready to shape the future of education. This year’s theme is “Uniting Minds. Igniting Progress.” This is a perennial educator favorite!

March 22–25, 2024
Washington, D.C.

NAFSA 2024 Annual Conference & Expo

This conference promotes international education and exchange. The majority of attendees work on college campuses, but K-12 schools with a strong commitment to foreign exchange programs or international education will find benefit in sending attendees too. The 2024 meetup is all about “Resilience. Renewal. Community.”

May 28–31, 2024
New Orleans, Louisiana

Online Teaching Conference

The Online Teaching Conference is a gathering of faculty, staff, and administrators who are leading the way in developing innovative and effective online education. This conference is focused on curriculum, pedagogy, and technology to improve online instruction, learning, and student success. The Online Teaching Conference is an opportunity for educators to network with colleagues, connect, share knowledge, impart and receive best practices, and develop professionally.

June 26–28, 2024
Long Beach, California

2024 Model Schools Conference (formerly ICLE)

Small changes can have big results. Learn how purposeful, consistent actions have a major impact on student success. Be inspired by the featured speakers, dynamic sessions, and the Model Schools and Innovative Districts that are successfully transforming culture and student achievement. You’ll also get the chance to connect with fellow educators in a collaborative learning community and take away hands-on, actionable ideas for your school.

June 23–26, 2024
Orlando, Florida

ISTELive 24

For more than four decades, ISTE has been recognized as one of the world’s most influential education conferences. It’s where educators and education leaders gather to engage in hands-on learning, share best practices, and hear from the brightest minds in the world of education and beyond.

Visible Learning Conference

The Visible Learning Conference will help you explore and improve student growth and achievement in the context of post-pandemic teaching. This conference will support leveraging your expertise as an educator to make decisions about what content, ideas, and skills you want students to know, understand, and do. During these conference sessions, you’ll embark on these elements of Visible Learning: teaching, leading, learning, and equity.

July 8–11, 2024
San Diego, California

GYTO (Get Your Teach On) Fest

Need to reignite your passion for teaching? This might be the education conference for you. Spend time with Team Get Your Teach On as they share their enthusiasm for education and share their tips, tricks, best practices, and teacher secrets to building a successful and engaging classroom. You will leave feeling empowered, motivated, and prepared to create dynamic lessons that will challenge your students and leave them hungry for more.

July 21–24, 2024

NCTM Annual Meeting & Exposition

If you’re looking for education conferences for math teachers, the NCTM Annual Meeting is the one. This event brings together thousands of mathematics educators from all over the world to collaborate, network, learn, inspire, and much more. With hundreds of education sessions to choose from and attend, you can expect to walk away with more knowledge and inspiration to implement into your classrooms.

September 25–28, 2024
Chicago, Illinois

What other education conferences should be on our radar? Come discuss your conference experience in our We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook!

Plus, check out these 43 best education grants for teachers and schools ..

The best education conferences help you recharge, network with peers, and come home with exciting new ideas for your school and classroom.

21 Amazing Summer Professional Development Adventures for Teachers

Equal parts fun and educational. Continue Reading

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Information Release

Kennesaw State officials can confirm that a female student was fatally shot on campus. A suspect has been detained. There is no threat to the campus community. Kennesaw State University Police are working with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and we will provide updated information once it becomes available.

Kennesaw State, DeKalb Schools partner for pipeline of highly trained educators

KENNESAW, Ga. | May 16, 2024

Through a new partnership with Kennesaw State University, a group of DeKalb County educators will receive specialized training and earn a master’s degree to assist with their district’s student needs.

The Inspiring Greatness and Normalizing Innovation in Teacher Education (IGNITE) Teacher Residency Program aims to bolster teacher retention and combat a shortage of educators, while providing them with no-cost professional development. DeKalb County Schools launched the program in January, but the new partnership with KSU will expand it to specifically address a need for special education teachers.

“Bagwell College prides itself on graduating prepared and highly qualified educators, who are ready to take on the next challenge in the classroom,” said Adrian Epps, dean of KSU’s Bagwell College of Education . “This partnership with DeKalb Schools, and other partnerships with K-12 districts, will create a cadre of teachers committed to their students and to the needs of specialized areas of education.”

The purpose of the IGNITE DeKalb Teacher Residency Program is to create an alternate route to certification programs designed to prepare high quality, committed, aspiring teachers who can work effectively with students in Horizon schools across DeKalb County. These aspiring teachers may be current paraprofessionals, substitute teachers, tutors, non-certified employees or college graduates who have a passion for teaching the next generation of scholars.

Bagwell College has similarly partnered with Paulding County Schools and Rome City Schools to create pipelines of quality educators and combat teacher shortages locally and statewide.

The 25 teachers selected for DeKalb’s IGNITE residency program will earn a Master of Arts in Teaching in Special Education from the Department of Inclusive Education in the Bagwell College. The DeKalb County School District will bear the cost of tuition, textbooks, certification assessments, and fees on behalf of candidates selected. All candidates will be employed by DCSD and serve in a paid $30,000, full-time, student-facing position, alongside a mentor, while completing their coursework and clinical experience requirements.

Upon completion of the program and additional certification requirements, resident teachers will be eligible for a full-time teaching position. They will serve as full-time teachers of record in a Horizon School in the District for a minimum of five years.

“DeKalb County School District is an innovative district, and they developed this partnership to address teacher shortages affecting their district, a problem not unknown to many districts across the country,” said Denise Ross, chair of the Department of Inclusive Education and professor of special education. “This partnership is critical, because it helps KSU and DeKalb Schools join together to increase the number of qualified special education teachers and, therefore, the success of our children.”

DeKalb County School District Superintendent Dr. Devon Q. Horton said his district is thrilled to partner with KSU on the residency program, which will combine rigorous academic coursework and practical experience.

“This partnership extends our commitment to providing a streamlined pathway for teacher certification and will help a group of already outstanding individuals become certified special education teachers,” Horton said. “These educators are in high demand and crucial for schools, so this collaboration is very good news for our district community.”

The 25-teacher resident cohort will begin its master’s degree program in June 2024 and must complete the training no later than May 31, 2025. DeKalb is similarly partnering with a second university to train another 25-teacher cohort.

– By Thomas Hartwell

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