Educational Organizations and Professional Development

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American Federation of Teachers (AFT)

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Represents teachers to the federal, state, and local governments, to educational authorities at the state and local levels, and, finally, to the general public. The organization represents teachers in key urban areas across the country.

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Association of American Educators (AAE)

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A newer, smaller professional association that takes a very different approach to supporting teachers than the major professional organizations of teachers.

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In-service programs

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Professional development such as courses, workshops, or short retreats.

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Learning organizations

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Where the goals and priorities are driven by questions such as 'What does this student need to get past his or her individual learning barrier?' and 'How can I find the right material or right question to ignite this student’s mind?'.

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National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS)

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A professional agency that sets voluntary standards for what experienced teachers should know and be able to do.

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National Education Association (NEA)

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Represents teachers to the federal, state, and local governments, to educational authorities at the state and local levels, and to the general public. It is a complex institution that operates on the national, state, and local school district levels and serves a diverse clientele of rural, suburban, and urban teachers.

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Profession

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A group of individuals all engaged in the same line of work with characteristics that distinguish them from nonprofessions.

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Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)

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A place in which everyone, adults and children alike, is always learning.

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Professional development

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A term encompassing the efforts both by a school (or school district) and by individual teachers to improve their skills and competencies as teachers.