To promote educational excellence, the Alabama Education Association serves as an advocate for its members and leads the advancement of equitable and quality public education in Alabama.
AEA Professional Learning Opportunities
Your membership in AEA connects you to the largest association of education professionals in Alabama, and with that comes unmatched opportunities for growth. At AEA, we are committed to supporting the professional development of every member who works tirelessly to educate and inspire our students.
One of the greatest benefits of your membership is exclusive access to professional learning opportunities at little to no cost. We encourage you to explore some of our professional learning offerings below that are designed to help you sharpen your skills, expand your knowledge, and excel in your profession!
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:
- 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
AEA 2025 Delegate Assembly
December 4-5, 2025
Marriott Birmingham | Birmingham, AL
UPCOMING APLDS/ACLD-APPROVED PLU STUDIES
Standard 1 PLU Study - Keys to Excellence for Your Schools (KEYS) - This course is based on the Association’s Keys to Excellence for Your Schools (KEYS), a comprehensive, research-based, data-driven approach to continuous school improvement. It includes 42 indicators of effective professional practice for continuous improvement which are organized into six categories: Shared Understanding and Commitment to High Goals, Open Communication and Collaborative Problem Solving, Continuous Assessment for Teaching and Learning, Personal and Professional Learning, Resources to Support Teaching and Learning, and Curriculum and Instruction. The KEYS activities used in this professional study have been taken from the KEYS Action Guide, and several are implementation activities for this study. The final professional study activity is the development of a personal continuous improvement plan.
Standard 2 PLU Study - Overarching Teacher Leadership Competencies - This course is based on the Association’s Overarching Teacher Leadership Competencies. The purpose of this study is for educators to learn to identify their strengths and areas of improvement from the perspective of teacher leadership while participating in an action plan design process of learn, design, do, and reflect to improve student performance. Participants holding Professional Educator Certification will earn 20 clock hours of professional development credit.
Register by December 15, 2025. PLU study instructions will be emailed after registration closes on December 15, 2025.
Click HERE to register.
UPCOMING WEBINARS
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!