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The AFT Professional Development Program for Educators

The AFT Professional Learning Program represents one of the union’s major efforts to improve student achievement by making a difference in practitioners’ performance and professional growth. We know that in the changing landscape of education settings, educators need diverse strategies to meet students where they are. With more than 50 offerings, this program offers a variety of professional learning opportunities to meet varying teaching and learning needs.

Courses range from online asynchronous classes available to all AFT members on the AFT Learning platform to 30-hour-plus graduate-level, train-the-trainer courses that require approval and involvement from your local union.

The AFT Professional Development Program:

  • Is rooted in evidence-based educational, cognitive and social science research.
  • Is guided by expert practitioners in the field and designed by frontline educators who know firsthand what goes on in classrooms and schools every day.
  • Provides educators with the necessary tools and resources to make complex decisions and select the most effective strategies for meeting individual students’ academic, social and behavioral needs.
  • Connects excellent teaching practice with broader educational policy issues and campaigns.

Union-sponsored professional learning strengthens our relationship with AFT members and is an indispensable tool for building broader, deeper support for the union.

  • It provides a direct way for more members to get to know the values of our union as a professional organization dedicated to enhancing both the profession and the practice of its members.
  • It opens up lines of communication for worksite leaders to seek out colleagues and conduct member-to-member outreach around professional issues.
  • It creates networking opportunities for members to meet other members and build a stronger union!

When are courses scheduled?

The AFT provides professional learning opportunities at several events throughout the year. In addition, the national union works with
state federations and local affiliates to deliver coursework locally or virtually via mini-courses. We can also assist in developing the capacity to provide the offerings directly to affiliate members. 

Download the latest course catalog or visit www.aftpd.org for more information.