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
Please check back for information about upcoming webinars in our 2024-2025 21st Century webinar series. Program leadership and program staff are both encouraged to attend.
21st CCLC Regional Trainings
The 2024 Regional Trainings took place on October 28, 29 and 30, 2024.
Information on the 2025 Regional Trainings will be posted here when it becomes available.
View 2024 Regional Training agenda
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 6 starts in 2025 and is in person.
For more information about the Excellence in Leadership Certification program, contact Excellence in Leadership.
Sample Schedule for Excellence in Leadership Certification
All sessions are in-person from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, unless otherwise noted.
Session
Date
Topic
Meet and Greet
December 2024
Welcome and Course Overview (45 minutes, virtually)
Session 1
January 2025
Authentic Communication
Session 2
March 2025
Innovative Leadership – Artificial Intelligence
Session 3
April 2025
Leading Through Change
Session 4
May 2025 (Half-day)
Teambuilding
Session 5
May 2025 (Half-day)
From Conflict to Collaboration
Session 6
June 2025
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.
National Afterschool Association (NAA) Convention
March 9 – 12, 2025 | Nashville, Tennessee
The National AfterSchool Association is the professional membership association for people who work with and for youth during Out-of-School time.
NAA fosters positive youth outcomes by supporting, developing, and advocating for afterschool professionals and leaders. The Association is the leading network of OST professionals.
2025 BOOST Conference
April 29 – May 1, 2025 | 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.