Professional Development Plan
Grantees should develop a professional development plan for afterschool teachers and provide the written plan to their Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) program officer for approval. 21st CCLC funds cannot be used for non-sanctioned and/or non-approved conference expenses. There is no approval for workshops not applicable to afterschool programs.
Cohort Training Requirements
If you are unable to send the required two staff members to any of the training, you must obtain PDE approval to make any substitutions with any other training.
- Grantees must send two representatives to the following each grant year.
- Extra Learning Opportunities conference.
- Pennsylvania grantee meeting.
- United States Department of Education (USDOE) sponsored Summer Institute (when offered).
- Regional training (when offered).
- Other webinars or meetings as required by PDE.
Webinars
Difficult Conversations: Tools for Clarity and Confidence
Presented by Kristy Shinn, RETTEW
Date: October 8, 2025
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Difficult conversations are inevitable — but they don’t have to be destructive. In this engaging session, Kristy Shinn introduces a practical framework to help engineers navigate tough discussions with control, confidence, and connection. Learn how to reframe conflict, speak assertively, set boundaries, and use silence as a tool for impact. Walk away with strategies to turn discomfort into clarity and strengthen your professional relationships.
Register in advance for this session here
Please stay tuned for additional webinar topics and dates for the 2025-2026 program year.
21st CCLC Regional Trainings
Due to the state budget impasse, the 2025 Regional Trainings have been cancelled. Please check back later for information about 2026 Regional Trainings.
Excellence in Leadership Certification
The Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Excellence in Leadership Certification was developed for program staff in a leadership role who are looking for strategies to effectively lead and motivate others, to create and maintain a positive workplace culture, to demonstrate emotional intelligence, and to overcome leadership challenges.
Cohort 7 starts in 2026 and is in person. Applications will be sent out to current grantees by early Fall 2025.
For more information about the Excellence in Leadership Certification program, contact Excellence in Leadership.
2025 Excellence in Leadership Certification
All sessions are in-person from 1:00 PM to 4:00PM on a Tuesday afternoon and from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM on the following Wednesday morning, unless otherwise noted.
Session
Date
Topic
Meet and Greet
December 2024
Welcome and Course Overview (45 minutes, virtually)
Session 1
January 14, 2025
Authentic Communication
Session 2
January 15, 2025
Servant Leadership
Session 3
February 4, 2025
Unlocking the Power of AI for Afterschool Program Leaders
Session 4
February 5, 2025
Leading with Care: Building a Culture of Well-Being in Out-of-School Time Programs
Session 5
March 18, 2025
Leading Through Change
Session 6
March 19, 2025
Generational Workstyles
Session 7
April 8, 2025
Building Leadership Pipelines for Sustainable Change
Session 8
April 9, 2025
The Organized Leader
Session 9
May 8, 2025
Teambuilding
Session10
May 9, 2025
From Conflict to Collaboration
Session 11
June 4, 2025 (A.M.)
Graduation
Out-of-School Time Conferences
The conferences shared below offer professional development opportunities for educators working in out-of-school time.
Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grantees:
Pre-approval from your program officer is required to attend. Please fill out and submit a Professional Development Request Form to your program officer at least four (4) weeks in advance.
Beyond School Hours 2026
March 1 – 4, 2026 | Orlando, Florida
Be part of something extraordinary at the 29th Annual Beyond School Hours national conference—the premier gathering of educators and leaders dedicated to empowering students of all ages across the entire learning day
Education is evolving at a remarkable pace. Now is the time to connect, collaborate, and inspire one another as we work toward our shared mission: preparing every student for a successful future.
Join other educators for four energizing days of transformative professional learning, meaningful connections, and game-changing ideas you won’t find anywhere else.
NAA (National Afterschool Association) Convention
March 11 – 14, 2026 | Nashville, Tennessee
The National Afterschool Association Convention is where afterschool leaders grow, connect, and recharge. Join peers from across the country for inspiring sessions, practical strategies, and fresh ideas to strengthen your program and support your team.
2026 BOOST Conference
April 28 – May 1, 2026 | Palm Springs, California
Join the largest, most recognized, and comprehensive global convening for after school, expanded learning, and in and out-of-school time professionals. Set in a retreat-like atmosphere, this annual, extraordinary event will rejuvenate your passion, boost your direction for quality programming and provide tools and resources that will inspire you to create change.