SPECIAL EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY (PLC) 

The AEA Education Policy and Professional Practice (EPPP) Department is proud to relaunch its Special Education Professional Learning Community (PLC)—a dedicated space created by and for Special Educators.

This virtual PLC will convene monthly, offering opportunities to dive into timely topics and challenges in the field of Special Education. Each session will be led by EPPP Director Katie Stuart alongside guest presenters who bring valuable expertise and practical insight.

The Special Education PLC Session Dates are: 

• September 11, 2025
• October 9, 2025
• November 20, 2025
• December 11, 2025
• January 8, 2025
• February 12, 2025
• March 12, 2025
• April 9, 2025
• May 7, 2025

If you are a Special Educator, this is your space to learn, connect, and grow with peers across Alabama. Register at the link below, and you’ll receive a confirmation email with the full PLC schedule and Zoom details.

Click HERE to Join the Special Education PLC! 

NBCT JUMPSTART

Join the AEA NBCT Jump Start 2025–2026 Cohort and get the guidance you need to successfully navigate your National Board Certification journey!

We’ll kick off the Fall 2025 semester with a Virtual Informational Session on Thursday, September 18, 2025, from 6:00–7:00 p.m. (via Zoom). This session will ensure you have the most up-to-date information to begin your NBCT path with confidence.

Starting in September, our monthly deep-dive sessions will focus on one component at a time, meeting on the first and third Thursdays of each month from 6:00–7:00 p.m. Led by dynamic NBCT facilitators, these sessions are designed for both novice and advanced candidates.

You’ll have the flexibility to:

• Participate in the full four-component experience, or

• Join only for the component you’re currently working on.

Along the way, you’ll collaborate with fellow members, share strategies, and access resources to help you achieve your goal of becoming a National Board Certified Teacher.

Register in advance below and take the next step toward certification!

Click HERE to Register. 

UPCOMING CONFERENCES

2025 AEA Minority Leadership Training (MLT) Conference 

Date: October 31 - November 2, 2025 

Location: Perdido Beach Resort | Orange Beach, AL 

Registration Link: https://myaea.co/MLT 

UPCOMING APLDS/ACLD-APPROVED PLU STUDIES 

PLU STUDY: Crafting a Vision: Turning Intention into Impact 

This study is FREE for AEA Members and $500 for Non-AEA members. 

The registration deadline is September 15, 2025. Upon registration, you will receive email instructions. 

Click HERE to register. 

UPCOMING WEBINARS

SEPTEMBER 9, 2025 | 4:00 P.M. 

We're at the Kitchen Table: Partnering Parents and Practitioners for Student Success

The kitchen table has served as a hub for much of the activity in a home. Now let’s use it as a place for families to come together and engage with one another academically! This session will help educators extend lessons that can be used at home. This could be in the form of video clips, interactive apps, and resources to reinforce the lessons taught in school.

Click HERE to register. 

SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 | 4:00 P.M. 

Professionalism, Legal Do's and Don'ts, and Having a Respectful Workplace

Protecting your career as an educator goes beyond the classroom; it’s about how you present yourself, how you engage with colleagues, and how you navigate today’s professional and legal landscape. In this engaging session, you’ll gain practical strategies to safeguard your professional reputation and ensure long-term success in education.

Click HERE to register. 

OCTOBER 14, 2025 | 4:00 P.M. 

Making Yourself a Top Priority! 

Being an educator is rewarding, but it also comes with unique stressors. This interactive session provides practical strategies and hands-on activities to help you recognize and manage stress triggers in real-time. Through engaging models and applications, you’ll discover new ways to care for yourself while keeping the process enjoyable.

Click HERE to register. 

OCTOBER 21, 2025 | 4:00 P.M. 

Creating an Active Local Association 

In this webinar, you’ll uncover why active participation in your local association matters and how it directly strengthens your voice and impact. Together, we’ll tackle the common challenges that local officers and Association Representatives face in engaging members, while also sharing practical, proven solutions to build stronger connections, inspire involvement, and foster active, thriving locals. 

Click HERE to register. 

NOVEMBER 11, 2025 | 4:00 P.M. 

AEA 101: Member Navigation 

Your AEA membership comes with powerful tools and benefits designed just for you! In this interactive session, you’ll get a guided tour of the members-only portal, explore the exclusive AEA MyDeals app, and discover the wide range of savings and services available through Collateral and NEA Member Benefits. Join us to unlock the full value of your membership and walk away with practical tips to save money, access resources, and maximize everything AEA has to offer.

Click HERE to register. 

NOVEMBER 18, 2025 | 4:00 P.M. 

The Literacy Act: Helping Struggling Readers in the Classroom 

This session will break down the requirements of the Literacy Act in clear, practical terms and give you strategies to help struggling readers succeed. You’ll explore tiered interventions, proven best practices, and hands-on approaches you can take back to your classroom.

Click HERE to register. 

JANUARY 13, 2026 | 4:00 P.M. 

Educator Ethics 101: Keeping it Professional  

Need assistance in understanding Letter of Concern vs. Letter of Reprimand. Insubordination and Social Media Do’s and Don’ts? This session provides a brief overview of Educator Ethics and how to maintain a professional approach.

Click HERE to register. 

JANUARY 20, 2026 | 4:00 P.M. 

Gifted and Talented Education 

This session will explore the key characteristics and challenges of gifted and talented students, as well as those with twice-exceptional needs, and help educators apply effective strategies and best practices that enable these unique students to reach their full academic potential.

Click HERE to register. 

FEBRUARY 10, 2026 | 4:00 P.M. 

Moving on Up! Stepping into Leadership with Passion and Purpose 

Are you ready to move upward in your educational journey? Do you see yourself utilizing your skills and talents in a broader venue that will benefit even more educators and students? This session will provide you with the tools to tap into your ability to maximize opportunities that will advance your educational journey. Gain insight and network with fellow, motivated individuals to build a support system of greatness as you all step into leadership with passion and purpose.

Click HERE to register. 

FEBRUARY 17, 2026 | 4:00 P.M. 

Career and Technical Education 

This session will celebrate Career and Technical Education Month by exploring the heart of what Career and Technical Education is and its impact on our students.  We will also look at the new Career and Technical Education Diploma Pathway and the requirements for students who choose this pathway.

Click HERE to register. 

MARCH 17, 2026 | 4:00 P.M. 

Celebrating Arts Education Month 

Celebrate Art Education Month with this interactive session, which will teach you more about the arts in education while allowing you to leave with a keepsake that you create during the session.

Click HERE to register. 

APRIL 14, 2026 | 4:00 P.M. 

Point of Order! Parliamentary Procedure for Local Leaders  

Tired of meetings that drag on, or worse, ones that could have been an email? This session is your crash course in running purposeful, effective meetings using parliamentary procedure. Designed with Local Leaders in mind, you’ll learn practical tools to keep meetings on track, productive, and engaging.

Not a Local Leader? No problem! All members are welcome to join and gain valuable insight into how meetings work, as well as how to make your voice count.

Click HERE to register. 

APRIL 21, 2026 | 4:00 P.M. 

Special Education in the General Classroom 

This session will equip you with best practices and practical strategies to support all learners, including those with special needs. Together, we’ll explore the shared roles of general and special educators, effective co-teaching models, individualized instruction, and inclusive practices that make a difference. You’ll also gain clarity on key areas of the IEP process and the diploma pathways available to students, ensuring you’re prepared to help every learner reach their full potential.

Click HERE to register. 

May 5, 2026 | 4:00 P.M. 

Title IX and the Educator's Role  

Title IX impacts every educator, but do you truly know your role in upholding it? Whether it’s recognizing, implementing, or reporting a violation, there’s often more to the story than most realize. In this session, you’ll get the facts on Title IX as it relates to your students and gain a clear understanding of your responsibilities as an educator.

Click HERE to register. 

#myAEA edChats

The #myAEA edChats are a monthly space for educators to connect, share ideas, and engage in meaningful conversations about the issues that matter most in education. Join us once a month on X (formerly Twitter) and Bluesky to exchange insights, strategies, and experiences with colleagues across Alabama. See the dates below and make plans to be part of the conversation!

SEPTEMBER 17: 

You are not Alone: Supporting Student Mental Health

Moderated by: C. August Haygood (@AEA_CAugust on X and @aea-caugust-h.bsky.social on Bluesky) 

SEPTEMBER 24: 

Alabama Attendance Awareness Month 

Moderated by: Dr Pamela Fossett (@aeaeppp on X and @aeaeppp.bsky.social on Bluesky)