The stereotypical professional development session is the “one-and-done” workshop that offers teachers some new insights but does little to meaningfully change instructional practice. What’s more effective, according to research, is professional development that’s ongoing, collaborative, embedded in teachers’ everyday work, and oriented around solving real—rather than theoretical—problems. That’s not only the case for teachers. Principals can benefit from PD with similar characteristics, designed just for their jobs.
Join district leaders, experts and EdWeek journalists to:
- Explore best practices for teacher and principal PD and see examples that adhere to them
- Discover how school districts fund professional development and hear the outlook for a key federal funding source for PD
- Examine exclusive EdWeek Research Center survey data on the format and timing of PD, how much training educators are receiving on AI, and more!
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Agenda
2:00pm ET
Welcome & Introduction
We’ll highlight key insights from recent Education Week reporting on professional development and preview the upcoming sessions.
Matthew Stone is an assistant managing editor for Education Week.
2:10pm ET
Interactive Session: What Kind of PD Is Happening in U.S. Schools?
Teachers around the country regularly participate in professional development. Is it the kind they need to improve student achievement and support their professional growth? The EdWeek Research Center recently asked educators from across the country to weigh in.
Ileana Najarro is a reporter for Education Week covering race and opportunity in schools across the country.
2:20pm ET
Industry Perspective: Closing the Implementation Gap
Sponsor content provided by Solution Tree
One day of professional learning can spark something. But without a system of ongoing, job-embedded support, time steals every good intention. In this session, Sam Fritz, Director of EdTech and AI at Solution Tree, will break down why implementation stalls — and how a Learn → Practice → Apply cycle, can create the year-long rhythm that turns y one-day trainings into lasting classroom change. Attendees will leave with three concrete commitments they can act on immediately.
One day of professional learning can spark something. But without a system of ongoing, job-embedded support, time steals every good intention. In this session, Sam Fritz, Director of EdTech and AI at Solution Tree, will break down why implementation stalls — and how a Learn → Practice → Apply cycle, can create the year-long rhythm that turns y one-day trainings into lasting classroom change. Attendees will leave with three concrete commitments they can act on immediately.
Sam Fritz
Director of EdTech and AI,
Solution Tree
Sam Fritz helps schools navigate the intersection of proven instructional practice and emerging technology. With 25 years of experience as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and district-level leadership trainer, Fritz brings a practitioner’s lens to every platform, policy, and possibility he encounters. He holds a master’s degree in educational leadership and certificates in AI Prompt Engineering — and spends his days helping educators figure out what’s coming next, and how to make it work for real students in real classrooms.
2:30pm ET
Panel Discussion: Professional Development that Will Move the Needle
Effective teachers can boost their students’ performance. Effective principals can create the climate for academic excellence, high teacher retention, and a safe and supportive school environment. How can schools help teachers and principals keep improving? We’ll discuss some examples of PD that adhere to best practices.
Olina Banerji is a reporter for Education Week who covers school leadership.
3:15pm ET
Industry Perspective
Sponsor content provided by Boys Town
More information coming soon.
More information coming soon.
3:25pm ET
Panel Discussion: An Uncertain Time for PD Funding
Title II grants represent the federal government’s largest investment in teacher and principal PD. The $2.2 billion fund flows to every state and reaches about 95% of school districts. And its requirements are designed to move schools toward PD that adheres to best practices. But Title II has been clouded by uncertainty over the past year-plus. In this session, we’ll learn more about this fund, how it’s used, and its future.
Matthew Stone is an assistant managing editor for Education Week.
3:55pm ET
Interactive Session: How Districts Fit PD Into Their Schedules
It’s a perennial challenge for school districts: scheduling PD in a way that balances the need for teachers to continually improve with students’ need for learning time and consistent routines, logistical challenges, and parents’ work schedules. The EdWeek Research Center recently asked educators how their districts work PD into the schedule and when they most want to participate in professional learning. Plus, are educators getting training on AI?
4:05pm ET
Closing Thoughts and Key Takeaways
We’ll review the big ideas and key insights from the event.
Matthew Stone is an assistant managing editor for Education Week.
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