Proven Online Continuing Teacher Education Courses

Aside from the quest for knowledge and the latest developments in education, there are many other reasons why teachers take professional growth classes. Some want to become certified in specific areas, such as early childhood education or English as a second language. Several teachers take continuing education classes to prepare for national board certification. Professional needs, such as techniques in discipline, are often the motivating force behind continuing education. Most school districts require teachers to take a given number of continuing education classes to renew their teaching licenses.

School districts often have in-house professional development programs in which they offer classes to teachers at a cheaper rate. They draw upon the expertise of the faculty members. I took several of these classes-and also taught many in computer education.

Many of my colleagues gravitated toward the following programs when earning continuing teacher education credits online. Even though they were sometimes more expensive than classes at our local university-the flexibility was appreciated.

Fresno Pacific University: Professional Development

I personally took many independent study classes from FPU when I was renewing my teaching license. I found the classes to be very effective and useful. The professors were readily accessible by phone or email. Fresno has classes such as "Discipline for the Classroom," "Differentiate: Student Success," and "Violence/Aggression in Schools." They also provide a wide array of continuing education classes that reach across many subject areas. You can find professional development classes on their website listed under specific headings such as math and science. They also list their prices online. A typical class, including materials, runs between $350 and $400 for three credits.

National University: School of Education

National University caters toward those teachers who want to earn certificates or credentials in targeted areas. The teacher may want to earn a math endorsement or an early childhood special education certificate. Two of my fellow teachers took the five classes that make up National University's course, "National Board Certified Teacher Leadership Certificate." They went on to become national board certified teachers. National University has a unique program in which students take one class per month.

Continuing Education Courses: University of Phoenix

The University of Phoenix has a continuing online education program for teachers, encompassing areas of study such as methods of teaching, math, reading, history, and technology. You might be interested in a class such as "Spanish for Education" or "Methods of Teaching Elementary Math." The faculty is composed of experienced, graduate-level professors who work in their respective class fields.

Alert

Before signing up for continuing, graduate-level education classes, be sure that they are approved by your school district and state Department of Education. You don't want to spend all that time and money, thinking the class can be used for recertification, only to be disappointed in the end. If you are seeking an endorsement or a credential, verify that the classes can be applied.

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