{"id":17472,"date":"2025-06-13T08:02:56","date_gmt":"2025-06-13T12:02:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/?p=17472"},"modified":"2025-06-13T08:02:56","modified_gmt":"2025-06-13T12:02:56","slug":"ai-professional-development-for-teachers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/news-blog\/ai-professional-development-for-teachers\/","title":{"rendered":"AI Professional Development for Teachers &#8211; What You Need to Know for Next School Year"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><b>AI in Education: Why It\u2019s No Longer Optional<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AI is already reshaping how we live, work, and learn, and that includes your classroom. Whether you\u2019re ready to dive in or still have questions, one thing is certain: your students are using AI. Other educators are, too. The good news? You don\u2019t have to figure it all out alone.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Artificial intelligence is not just another edtech buzzword\u2014it\u2019s becoming a key player in everything from lesson planning to individualized learning support. As AI tools become more available, it\u2019s essential for educators to understand how they work, how students might use (or misuse) them, and how to incorporate them responsibly. Professional development (PD) around AI is the best place to start.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How to Choose the Right PD for You<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just like no two classrooms are the same, no two PD journeys need to be. As you consider how to develop your understanding of AI, start by identifying what you want to get out of the experience.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Are you a school or district leader<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> looking to build a responsible AI strategy? Seek PD that includes ethics, policy, and implementation planning.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><b>Are you a classroom teacher<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> trying to integrate AI tools to save time or boost engagement? Look for sessions that focus on workflow, lesson ideas, or student use cases.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Are you supporting students directly in instruction, intervention, or enrichment?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Consider how AI can be used to personalize content while keeping alignment with your standards and instructional goals.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regardless of your role, choosing AI PD with flexible formats and real-classroom examples will make the biggest difference.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Three Big Buckets of AI PD in K\u201312 Education<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>Using AI With Students<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many teachers are exploring AI tools that can support learning &#8211; think of summarizers, <a href=\"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/news-blog\/ai-iep-goal-generator\/\">generators<\/a>, translators, and feedback assistants. PD in this area shows how to use tools effectively, but also emphasizes instructional integrity. AI should enhance, not replace, teacher-driven instruction.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Understanding AI as a Topic<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today\u2019s students will enter a workforce shaped by AI. That means they need to understand what it is, how it works, and how to use it responsibly. PD that equips educators to teach basic AI literacy, ethics, and applications is critical\u2014especially in middle and high school.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Navigating Privacy, Equity, and Legal Considerations<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AI raises important questions about student data, algorithmic bias, and equitable access. While this isn\u2019t the focus of most PD sessions, it\u2019s an area worth exploring. District leaders, in particular, should stay current on legal and ethical implications to shape responsible use policies.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Top Places to Find Quality AI PD<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s a growing number of high-quality, accessible AI PD options out there. Here are some vetted places to begin:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/iste.org\/ai\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>ISTE\u2019s AI Exploration Courses<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Offers PD and curriculum guides tailored for K\u201312 use.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/grow.google\/ai-for-educators\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Google&#8217;s AI for Educators<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Great for self-paced foundational learning.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aiedu.org\/professional-learning\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>AI Education Project<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Focuses on equity and foundational AI knowledge.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aiforeducation.io\/ai-course\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>AI for Education<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Offers PD that\u2019s built with classroom practicality in mind.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.magicschool.ai\/professional-development\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>MagicSchool.ai<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Ideal for learning how to use AI tools for teacher tasks like lesson planning and feedback.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each of these options varies in depth, format, and focus, so it\u2019s worth browsing to find the best fit.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How AI Is Shaping the Future of the Classroom<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you\u2019re in a tech-forward district or just starting out, the role of AI in K\u201312 education is only going to grow. From grading and progress tracking to generating scaffolded assignments, teachers are finding smart ways to save time and support students. Some schools are piloting AI-powered tutoring or language supports. Others are using generative tools to foster creativity and inquiry.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At Progress Learning, we recognize this shift. While we haven\u2019t launched AI tools in our platform, we\u2019re adapting to a more tech-integrated classroom environment\u2014and we\u2019re committed to providing educators with standards-aligned, data-informed tools that pair seamlessly with these emerging technologies.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Tech Literacy Is the New Literacy<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AI doesn\u2019t replace great teaching. But understanding how it works\u2014and how students will use it\u2014is quickly becoming part of being a great teacher. You don\u2019t need to be an expert to get started. Begin with professional development that meets you where you are, and grow from there. The earlier we get comfortable with these tools, the better we can guide our students\u2014not just in how to use AI, but in how to think critically about it.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Ready to take the next step?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stay ahead of the curve by signing up for our newsletter. We\u2019ll keep you updated with practical AI insights, PD opportunities, and classroom strategies &#8211; plus tips for using Progress Learning to support tech-integrated instruction.<\/span><\/p>\n<script charset=\"utf-8\" type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/\/js.hsforms.net\/forms\/embed\/v2.js\"><\/script>\r\n<script>\r\n\thbspt.forms.create({\r\n\t\tregion: \"na1\",\r\n\t\tportalId: \"23272034\",\r\n\t\tformId: \"c970216b-3a79-4ad1-a9d7-920aea441c78\"\r\n\t});\r\n<\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>AI in Education: Why It\u2019s No Longer Optional AI is already reshaping how we live, work, and learn, and that includes your classroom. Whether you\u2019re ready to dive in or still have questions, one thing is certain: your students are using AI. Other educators are, too. The good news? You don\u2019t have to figure it [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":17473,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"\ud83d\udea8 AI is here\u2014and your students are already using it. Whether you're all-in or just getting started, our latest blog breaks down how to choose the right AI PD for next year. \ud83d\udcda\ud83e\udd16#EdTech #TeacherPD #AIinEducation","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17472","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Blog-AI-Professional-Development-for-Teachers.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17472","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/30"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17472"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17472\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17476,"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17472\/revisions\/17476"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17473"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17472"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17472"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17472"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}