How can you stay up-to-date with K-12 teacher training?

I am a member of ILA- International Literacy Association. This gives me access to one (or more) of their professional journals. Reading articles is a quick, easy way to stay current in my field. There are so many more opportunities as a member, but journal articles are great for those of us who have full schedules during and after school hours.

Teachers can gain insight into the latest teaching approaches, technologies, and pedagogical trends by participating in professional development workshops and seminars. Also, teachers should stay up to date on the latest research findings by subscribing to educational journals and newsletters. Joining professional organizations and online communities’ teacher’s lets you network and share ideas. Finally, it's important to cooperate with colleagues and engage in reflective practice.

LinkedIn could be a great tool to join or expand your professional network. Follow industry experts and experienced education leaders, share your voice and get involved in meaningful content. Subscribe to expert's newsletters, you can check mine as well. I usually share stuff about EdTech, teaching abroad etc. Share your findings with your colleagues, this will expand your internal network at your workplace.

Art Educators have fabulous resources for professional development through their state chapters and national arts organizations such as NDEO, NAFME, and NAEA. Your state Dept of Education may also have several webinars and events through which all educators can earn CEUs. I also strongly encourage joining the professional networks such as ASCD and ISTE. Schools can also offer in-house PD, relying on the expertise of those inside the building in sharing best practices or leading book studies on relevant topics for educators.

Don't just follow other teachers and their perspectives. Children today are connected with the world around them more than ever before. Teachers who become more and more disconnected can no longer keep up with their students. Learn about current trends in a few industries and follow the field professionals to get first hand experience. Connect with people who understand how things are done in companies where innovation happens. Don't stay in the teaching bubble.

Seek mentoring also from the field experts who know their stuff and only have limited time to present it to students and teachers. Keep yourself in a good shape and seek professionals and friends who can help you with that. Get help when you feel uncertain or don't see a good way to engage with students and help them grow. Gather information and feedback from teachers that are successful and help their students find their way through the jungle.

Exploring emerging technologies and tools around them always helps you to stay up to date. You do not have to FOMO run but, just being aware is good. e.g.; there is a lot of buzz around AI these days, which might be a part of the classroom in the near future. People are panicking and rushing to get information from sources which are written by AI itself. Explore as a user and see how you can implement it.

Learn to do things in modern ways. At least use e-mail for important organizational information rather than a long and boring presentation. Use online shared calendars for time management. Online documents and drawing boards for collaboration. When you already use various online solution for both organization and teaching, consider looking into process automation and trying out some low-code or no-code solution for digital support of whatever you are doing. Use technology for your benefit, not your detriment.

You can now use all possible sources of education, online or offline, static or automated, human or machine. Current world prefers skills over knowledge. We are now overwhelmed with huge amounts of information and we are required to filter them, sort them and make good decisions based on the result. It's good to understand logic, know how to communicate your needs and practice the art of negotiation.

Collaborate with other k12 teachers and always be learning in order to stay updated on learning materials. Moreover enroll in teachers training programs to stay ahead of the curve and enjoy the teaching process.

I would also consider attending workshops and seminars related to K-12 education to learn about new methodologies and technologies. In my experience social media is also a good platform for staying updated and engaging in discussions with K-12 fellow teachers. It facilitate information exchange, provides space for sharing innovative teaching methods and fosters a sense of community among educators.

College won't do it.. but to advance in position you may have to. I would look for special conferences and programs. Leadership and education cohorts to learn from. Be careful about expensive programs as in 10 to 20 years they may be irrelevant.

It is important to not just try and do your best. One should always be aware of the quality of their work and keep it on the level that makes sense to them. Children will forgive you a lot. But not treachery and not utter lack of interest. It is important to understand what consequences and impact your actions have on the children and their future. It's better to treat them as your clients than as your adversaries.

It would definitely depend on your content. For a lot of arts courses I t’s very difficult to find teacher training but if you’re lucky to find content specific you can make sure that you attend professional development sessions and find community with teachers in your content area.

Being a life-long learner allows you to stay on top of the newest trends in education. Taking courses, reading books, listening to podcast, and even watching and learning from YouTubers are all ways to learn in this day and age full of opportunities!

Haha...the schools will train the death out of you and none of it will ever help. Districts would rather pay some trainer $2000 a day and have it look like they are providing professional development than to stick with any of these fly-by-night ideas for any length of time.